Castaway Lodge Fishing Report

Seadrift, Texas

May 5th – May 11th, 2026

We finally settled into a true late spring pattern here on the middle coast this past week, and while May always brings changing conditions, the fishing around Seadrift continued to keep everybody moving. The lodge stayed steady throughout the week with anglers coming and going, early morning launches before daylight, and plenty of stories being traded around the cleaning tables each evening. Between shifting tides, improving bait movement, and fish transitioning into stronger summer patterns, there was always something happening somewhere in the bay system.

The weather over the last several days has been a little bit of everything — light southeast winds early in the week, a few slick mornings, then stronger afternoon gusts pushing water around by midday. Water levels bounced around some, but overall the bay system continues to look healthy heading deeper into May.

JT Long and crew made a quick overnight stop at the lodge and dealt with a few passing showers during their trip, but still managed to make the most of their time on the water focusing primarily on redfish throughout the San Antonio Bay system. The better action came along protected shorelines with good bait movement and scattered shell, especially during the calmer windows between rain showers and increasing winds as the group stayed focused on redfish and drum. Best bite seemed to come on cut bait and other natural presentations worked slowly around shell and shoreline structure as anglers stayed patient through changing conditions and scattered showers.

Aaron Vanstraten’s group wrapped up the Mother’s Day weekend finding success focusing on redfish during the stronger wind periods later in the week, and it was great seeing families spending time on the water together and making the most of a beautiful coastal Mother’s Day weekend. Protected shorelines with moving water produced the most consistent action, especially around drains and broken shell pockets. Several solid slot reds made for some fun fights in shallow water during the calmer morning conditions before the wind picked up.

Fishing this week centered almost entirely around redfish and black drum as anglers focused on staying around active bait, moving water, and protected shorelines throughout the bay system. The most consistent action came from working shell pads, drains, and muddy transitions where fish were holding despite changing winds and scattered showers. Redfish continue to be the most dependable target right now, with solid slot fish showing up along shorelines and back lake areas during higher tides, while black drum have been steady around deeper mud and shell structure for anglers looking to put together a good box of fish.