Nothing like being on the bay at daybreak and having a cold front blow in…
Sometimes you have to be lucky!
Dewberry Island. Polling through mangroves and key got snagged on a branch – which we did not immediately notice. With a bit of luck and a lot of prayer we found the key! No swim home….
From Grind to Grand This Past Week at Bay Flats Lodge
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Continue reading From Grind to Grand This Past Week at Bay Flats Lodge
Cedar Bayou and other marine projects
Today, we are writing our first matching donation check to (BCT) Building Conservation Trust.
The United States portion of the Gulf of Mexico coastline spans 1,680 total miles, stretching all the way from the border with Mexico to the Florida Keys. Here in the great state of Texas, our slice of this magnificent shore consists of 367 miles of some of the absolute best inshore saltwater fishing to be found in any of the other states outlined by Gulf waters – Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Today, Texas coastal anglers enjoy a rather vibrant coastal fishery, but things haven’t always been as good as they are now.
Out of neglect and disrespect for such a wonderful natural resource as our Texas coastal fisheries, commercial fishing in the mid-1970’s all but wiped out the state’s speckled trout and redfish numbers altogether. Because of this, a small group of 14 concerned recreational anglers start the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) in order to fight the commercial overfishing. The GCCA began with the famous “Save the Redfish” crusade, and by 1985 chapters had formed along the Gulf Coast. By the 1990’s, the mid-Atlantic and New England states had chapters, and then Washington state and Oregon started chapters in 2007. Today’s organization is known as the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), and they’ve effectively engaged in almost every national fisheries debate since 1984, things like the defense of net bands, the implementation of by-catch reduction devices, the support for pro-fisheries legislation, and the battle against arbitrary no-fishing zones.
At Bay Flats Lodge, being good stewards of the land and the wildlife isn’t just a slogan. It’s our way of life, and we have created our company based on those beliefs. This attitude and culture is reflected in all that Bay Flats Lodge does, and it’s for that reason we are genuinely proud to announce our partnership with CCA Texas and CCA’s national habitat program, The Building Conservation Trust (BCT). BCT and CCA Texas have a strong partnership that has resulted in several successful marine habitat programs throughout the years, and that relationship is now growing through a partnership with Bay Flats Lodge. Together, these three groups are working together to foster and enhance marine life from Matagorda Bay to Rockport.
If you would like to show your support of conserving, promoting, and enhancing the present and future availability of coastal resources for the enjoyment of the general public, just let us know upon arriving for your stay at Bay Flats Lodge, or when checking-out prior to your departure. Bay Flats Lodge will automatically match dollar-for-dollar your donation toward these tremendous efforts.
Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.
P.O. Box 580
Seadrift, Texas 77983-0580
1.888.677.4868 Office
Report by Capt. Nick Dahlman Wade Fishing Lure Pro
April 1, 2018
Wade Fishing has been very productive the past few weeks. From Corkys to top-waters take your pick. Most of the Trout and Reds are currently holding over shallow sand and grass with water temps around 70 degrees. The March Full Moon has kicked off the spawn and some Big Trout have been caught and released the past few days. April looks to be a stellar month for wade-fishing for Big Trout in the San Antonio Bay region. Come see me at Bay Flats Lodge.
Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.
P.O. Box 580
Seadrift, Texas 77983-0580
1.888.677.4868 Office
Brochure
Lodge Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z97C5pSEWCc
www.BayFlatsLodge.com
BayFlatsLodge
Just in from Capt. Harold Dworaczyk
LIVE Seadrift Fishing Report
Chicken on a chain TTF Hustlers
1/16 oz. jig heads
Lakes
High tide
tight to windward shorelines best
Trout to 24
Reds to 27.5
Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.
P.O. Box 580
Seadrift, Texas 77983-0580
1.888.677.4868 Office
April Consistent Warming
Bay Flats Lodge on San Antonio Bay
By Capt. Chris Martin
March is behind us now, and hopefully the really cold frontage passages have gone with it. It’s April, and it’s time for us to get on to bigger and better things, like better weather conditions and bigger trout and redfish. A lot will be happening this month with regards to changes in the environment and in the fishing pattern. The days will be getting longer, which means there will be an ever increasing amount of sunlight each day as a direct result. Typically, some of the warming trends that we begin having this month will sometimes raise bay water temperatures to a level near between 70 and 80 degrees. Once waters reach that temperature, the springtime transition kicks-off that signals the approach of various changes for both the anglers and for the fish.
April anglers should look to the shallowest of waters to begin warming at the highest rate this month, as skinny waters along tapering shorelines will be the first to start collecting the springtime sunlight that will once again bring life to these places. The warming of these flats areas will start to attract all sorts of marine life, to include a lot of different types of bait species like mullet, different finfish, mud minnows, and even shrimp and crab. When this starts to happen, anglers are almost certain to be able to locate prized trout and redfish in and amongst the bait activity.
In April, the redfish are sometimes the first ones to follow the baitfish to the warming shallows, so anglers should focus on looking for pods of surface-active baitfish huddled tightly above heavy grass, mud, or sand for some exciting action. But, after a consistent warming trend lasting at least three or four days, anglers will almost certainly be able to find trout not far behind the redfish, as the trout are going to be just as anxious to feed on the active baitfish.
Spring can present coastal anglers with some windy days, as the winds will appear to increase each week due to the approaching warmer months. Wind direction and velocity can dictate success or failure based upon what decisions you make, so don’t be quick to cancel your day on the water simply because the wind happens to be blowing hard. Matagorda Island presents anglers with a number of good alternatives on windy days in the form of countless sand bars, points, coves, and leeward shorelines that offer protection while wade fishing. In the event that the wind does stop blowing for even a brief while, don’t forget to try some of the open-water shell reefs located out in San Antonio Bay, as some of April’s nicest fish can be taken above the shell. Good luck, and keep grinding!
:
Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.
P.O. Box 580
Seadrift, Texas 77983-0580
1.888.677.4868 Office
Lodge Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z97C5pSEWCc
www.BayFlatsLodge.com
BayFlatsLodge
Buy your Fishing or Hunting License before arriving call 1-800-895-4248 or
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/online_sales/index.phtml
Capt. Nathan Beabout Seadrift Fishing Report
People may have different opinions on trophy trout, but when two of your customers set there new personal best in the same day, that’s trophy class!
Congrats to these two boys who fished with me in Seadrift today.
With the water coming up 8”-1ft over night, fish were found tight to the grass. Our lure selection didnt change much, and if it had Chartruese in it, it was getting thumped. We walked through huge rafts of mullet today, and in knee deep water only had about 3-4” of visibility. Trout ranged from 17-26” and everything over 23” was released.
If your not booked with us in April or May, your missing out on some of the best months to catch big trout on the Middle Texas Coast. Contact me today to get your date booked, you will not regret it.
Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com
Seadrift Fishing Report
Despite the winds we were able to find a good trout bite, and ended the day with a nice Seadrift trout. We had a lot of topwater action early. Then later in the day it was Chicken of the C and Softdines. Most all our fish were caught in shin deep to knee deep water. 
We still have plenty of April and May openings, come on down and get in on the action!
Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com
Enhancing Marine Habitat
BCT @ccabct and @cca_texas have a strong partnership. Bay Flats Lodge @bay_flats_lodge is extremely excited to be involved in raising funds to restore and enhance marine habitat. Together, these three groups are enhancing marine life from Matagorda Bay to Rockport that will be appreciated and enjoyed by the local community for many generations to come.
Capt. Nathan Beabout Seadrift Fishing Report
Heading out of Seadrift this morning, I thought it was going to be a great pre front day. Especially when on the first wade and back to back cast, you hook two solid fish on topwaters. We grinded when the wind picked up, but once it started to settle we found another trout bite. This bite was fast and had good 16-18” trout mixed in with some smalls. Ending up releasing 5 trout over 20” on any day is good. Thanks boys for hanging in there.
Most of our fish were caught in knee to thigh deep water over grass beds and shell. Our bait selection was small today, but it worked, especially the pink topwater!
We have weekday openings for April and May. If your a beginner or expert, come on down. I enjoy teaching and possibly showing new tricks and tactics.
Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
Capt. Nathan Beabout Fishing Report
I don’t know if it was because the weather finally straightened up, or I settled down and went about my strategy the right way, but today was a complete turn around from the last 4 or 5.
Last last few days we have caught trout and a few reds, but not the big trout I target this time of year. As soon as we stepped out of the boat today we were getting bites, and we managed to find a few areas with no pressure on them. Landed several fish in the 3-5# range and a good number of 17-19”. Like the last few days topwaters and Corky Sofdines have worked best.
Time to head to Port Mansfield to try our luck there through the end of the week.
Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com