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This October, I returned to Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift, one of my favorite domestic destinations and a great home base for Texas fly fishing. Our Trident-hosted group spent October 11-16 at the lodge, with nine guests fishing six skiffs over four days.
Texas travel is relatively simple, the Redfish population is healthy, and the local guides are some of the best you'll find anywhere. Although I’ve fished the area several times before, the conditions on this trip were unlike anything I'd experienced. We encountered unusually high water throughout the bays and marshes, forcing our guides to rethink their typical fishing strategies and find creative ways to put us on fish.
It was a great week of fishing, learning, and sharing laughs with a fun group of anglers, and I returned home with a few new tricks up my sleeve for the next time I encounter tough conditions on the flats.
Arrival in Texas
I arrived in Texas a day ahead of our guests, which gave me a chance to catch up with a few local guides who have become good friends over the years. After lunch in Rockport, I wandered down to Aransas Bay to have a look at the water. I knew from the forecast that persistent southeasterly winds had been pushing excess water into the bays along this stretch of coast, but I wasn't quite prepared for what I saw. The water was higher than I'd ever seen it, with flooded shorelines and marshes that would likely make sight fishing more difficult than usual.
Unlike destinations with large tidal swings, water levels along this part of the Texas coast are heavily influenced by wind direction. Sustained southeast winds can push water into the bay, where it remains until a shift in the wind allows it to drain back out. The resulting high water spreads fish across larger areas and makes spotting them more difficult, particularly when wind and turbidity further reduce visibility.
Fortunately, the forecast showed plenty of sunshine throughout our four fishing days, even if a couple of them looked windy. I remained optimistic that the guides would find a way to get us on fish.
All nine of our Trident guests arrived safely the following day. Getting to Seadrift is fairly straightforward for domestic travelers, with Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston all offering convenient airport options. From there, it's a rental car and a drive to the little coastal town of Seadrift.
Our first evening kicked off with a hearty Texas dinner, featuring a giant bone-in pork chop that was remarkably tender and juicy, accompanied by creamed polenta. After dessert, we discussed guide assignments and plans for the week before calling it a night.
The Fishing
Our first morning began before sunrise, with everyone sipping coffee, rigging rods, and making last-minute preparations for the day. At 7:30 our guides arrived, and we loaded up for the short drive to the boat ramps.
One advantage of Bay Flats Lodge's location in Seadrift is the flexibility to access different areas of the surrounding bays. Depending on the day's conditions and fishing plans, guides can launch near Seadrift, go south around Rockport, or travel farther north toward Port O'Connor. Most morning drives are typically less than 30 minutes, just enough time to enjoy fresh breakfast tacos and another cup of coffee before climbing aboard the skiffs.
I shared a boat for the week with Charlie, an experienced saltwater angler from South Carolina. Charlie has pursued just about every flats species imaginable, from Redfish in his home waters and Caribbean Permit and Tarpon to the exotic species of the Seychelles. This was his first visit to the Texas coast, along with several of his longtime fishing buddies.
Our guide was Capt. Pete Kaple, aka @theskiffwanderer on Instagram. I'd met Pete during my previous visit to Bay Flats and was excited to finally spend some time fishing with him.
Day 1: High Water and Tough Sight Fishing
Pete had warned us that the unusually high water would make things challenging, but he was confident we'd find opportunities if we remained patient.
The first day required plenty of patience.
High water, intermittent clouds, and murky flats made spotting fish difficult. We explored flooded marsh ponds and shorelines, looking for the telltale wakes, tails, and subtle movements that betray the presence of feeding Redfish.
Under more typical conditions, Pete enjoys pushing his skiff into extremely skinny water, hunting Reds along the edges of cordgrass and shallow marsh creeks. But with so much additional water, fish had more room to roam, and visibility was poor in many of the areas he'd normally target.
Despite Pete's hard work, Charlie and I struggled to find good opportunities that first day. By the afternoon, Pete was already thinking about a different approach for the following morning.
At dinner that evening, we compared notes with the other boats. Most had experienced similar challenges, although Capt. Levi Holder's boat had found much more success by fishing a different type of water. Rather than searching the flooded marshes for individual fish, Levi had located feeding pods of Redfish on slightly deeper flats, identifying them by the muddy patches they created while rooting around for food. It was an approach that would change the trajectory of our week.
Days 2-3: Finding the Mudding Pods
The following morning, our guides adjusted their strategy and began focusing on deeper flats where large groups of Redfish were actively feeding. Rather than looking for individual cruising fish, we were searching for subtle patches of discolored water. When a pod of Redfish moves across a flat, rooting around for shrimp, crabs, and other prey, the fish stir up sediment and leave a noticeable cloud of mud in their wake.
In clear water, these mudding pods can be relatively easy to identify. But with the extra depth and turbidity we were experiencing, distinguishing a fresh mud from the naturally stained water around it took a trained eye.
Occasionally, we'd spot a tail waving above the surface or catch a glimpse of a Redfish's back, confirming that we'd located an actively feeding school. These clues were especially important because the fish weren't always positioned in the center of the muddy water. Identifying the leading edge of the pod helped us determine where to place our flies.
Once we'd located a promising mud, Pete would position the skiff upwind and set up a drift toward the feeding fish. The angler would get ready on the bow, watching for signs of movement and waiting until the boat was within casting range before taking a shot.
When everything lined up, the fishing could be spectacular. These Reds were aggressively feeding, churning up shrimp and crabs from the bottom and eagerly attacking just about anything that appeared in front of them. If you could put your fly in the right place, a hookup was almost automatic.
The challenge was managing the drift, especially when the wind picked up. With gusts over 20 mph, the skiff could move surprisingly quickly across the flat. Sometimes we'd have just one brief opportunity to make a cast before drifting past the pod entirely. If we missed the shot, Pete would have to circle back upwind and reset the drift for another attempt. It was a different style of Redfish fishing than I'd experienced on previous fall trips to Texas, but it proved very effective.
As the guides exchanged information and refined their approach, the fishing improved across the group. Most boats were catching a handful of Reds each day, but those that found especially productive mudding pods occasionally enjoyed double-digit days. The majority of the fish were in the 20- to 27-inch class, and the group landed a few knocking on the door of 30 inches.
One of my favorite moments came on our third afternoon. Pete had been standing on the poling platform for hours, scanning the water and positioning us for shots, without much opportunity to stop and eat his lunch. Charlie and I were enjoying ours and finally convinced him to sit down for a few minutes. Pete reluctantly agreed, joking that the fish would inevitably show up the moment he sat down and started eating.
Sure enough, he hadn't taken more than two bites when another pod of Redfish appeared directly ahead of the boat. Charlie jumped onto the bow, made a perfect 40-foot cast, and immediately came tight to another Redfish. So much for Pete's lunch break!
Of course, there was plenty happening aboard the other skiffs throughout the week as well. One of our solo anglers fishing with Capt. Levi Holder encountered blitzing Jacks and several huge Bull Sharks on the third day, hooking a few but landing none.
A pair of anglers from Ohio fishing with Capt. Matt Lough enjoyed some interesting multispecies opportunities. In addition to Redfish, they encountered several Sheepshead and Jacks and also landed multiple Black Drum and Speckled Trout.
Another solo angler fishing with Capt. Logan Crane witnessed a memorable bit of wildlife activity along Matagorda Island when a coyote suddenly pounced on an unsuspecting critter deep in the marsh. Nature is metal!
Day 4: Back Into the Marsh
By Thursday, our fourth and final fishing day, conditions were far better. The skies were clear, winds had diminished, and cooler morning temperatures made for a beautiful day on the water.
Pete suggested we take another shot at the skinny marshes we'd struggled to fish earlier in the week. With the improved conditions, Charlie and I agreed it was worth trying. It didn't take long to confirm that we'd made the right call.
The first marsh creek we poled into produced a beautiful Redfish for Charlie, and we enjoyed several more opportunities throughout the day. With better visibility and calmer conditions, we could once again focus on sight casting to individual fish and some smaller pods of two to six fish.
Charlie landed a few more nice Reds before insisting that I take a turn on the bow. As a trip host, my priority is always making sure our guests have a great time and get as many fishing opportunities as possible. But when your boat partner insists that you catch one yourself, who am I to argue? I happily obliged and enjoyed landing a nice Texas Red of my own.
That evening, most of the other boats reported similarly productive final days. Thursday offered the best conditions of our trip, and it was a fantastic way to finish the week.
The Guides and Fishing Experience
One of the reasons I continue returning to Texas is the quality of its guide team. The captains are professional, knowledgeable, and fun to spend time with. Each has his own personality and preferred techniques, which makes comparing fishing stories over dinner always entertaining. Some guides prefer working the skinny marshes, searching for individual fish in shallow pockets of water. Others excel at finding schools on the open flats or targeting other species when opportunities arise.
What impressed me most on this trip was their ability to adapt. It's easy to have a productive day when the weather is perfect, the water is clear, and Redfish are tailing everywhere you look. It's much harder when the water is high, visibility is poor, and your usual fishing spots aren't producing. Rather than stubbornly sticking to the same techniques, the Bay Flats guides communicated with one another, shared information about what was working, and adjusted their plans to make the most of the conditions. That kind of teamwork is invaluable, especially on a hosted trip with multiple boats on the water.
The experience also reinforced an important lesson for me personally. I've now fished the Texas coast under a pretty wide range of conditions. I've experienced excellent fall fishing with ideal water levels, very low water during the winter months, and now the challenges of unusually high, dirty water. Every visit has taught me something new, and I feel better prepared for the next time I encounter similar conditions elsewhere.
Food, Hospitality, and Good Company
Of course, a hosted fishing trip is about more than just the hours spent on the water.
Our group was a great mix of personalities. Charlie arrived with four longtime fishing buddies who have traveled and fished together for years. We also had a pair from Ohio and a couple of solo anglers who fit right into the group. Everyone got along extremely well, and our evening dinners quickly became one of my favorite parts of the trip. After long days of fishing, we'd gather around the table to compare stories, trade jokes, and catch up on everyone's adventures. Conversations ranged from fishing and travel to families, careers, childhood memories, and just about everything in between. There was plenty of laughter every evening, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know everyone a little better over the course of the week.
The food certainly didn't hurt, either. Bay Flats Lodge has an outstanding culinary program, and the dinners were consistently excellent. In addition to that incredible bone-in pork chop on arrival night, we enjoyed juicy ribeye steaks, blackened snapper, and homemade shrimp gumbo. A special shout-out goes to head chef Mrs. Little, who is not only an excellent cook but also a wonderfully attentive and welcoming person. I probably gained a couple of pounds during the trip, but every bite was worth it.
Tips for Fly Fishing Texas Redfish
For anglers considering their first Redfish trip to Texas, here are a few recommendations based on my experiences fishing the coast.
1. Practice Casting at Distance in the Wind
Like most saltwater destinations, Texas can be windy. Be prepared to cast in a variety of conditions, including stiff crosswinds and difficult casting angles. Practice at home on windy days, and work on delivering accurate casts at longer distances from different positions. A Redfish-specific fly line with enough mass to turn over weighted flies can also make a noticeable difference.
2. Keep Your Gear Simple
An 8wt outfit is ideal for the vast majority of Texas Redfish fishing. On this trip, I fished an Atlas Signature 9ft 8wt paired with an Orvis Mirage LT IV, spooled with SA Amplitude Smooth Redfish Warm. If you want to pursue Jack Crevalle, consider bringing a 10wt as well. Most guides carry heavier shark tackle, but a 12wt can be useful if sharks are high on your bucket list.
For Redfish, I typically use a 9-foot tapered leader ending in 20lb test.
Fly selection is straightforward. Redfish Crack patterns in tan or black/purple are among my favorites, generally in sizes 2 through 1/0, or approximately three inches in length.
I prefer bead-chain eyes for most shallow-water applications, but a few heavier dumbbell-eye patterns are helpful when fishing deeper water or on very windy days. Weed guards can be useful in grassy areas, although they're not always necessary over the mud and oyster bottoms you'll frequently encounter.
One important consideration is keeping the fly visible to the fish. In stained water, a fly that sits still or sinks into the grass can be difficult for a Redfish to locate. I prefer to keep the fly moving steadily and swimming just off the bottom and out of the grass, where a feeding fish is more likely to notice it.
3. Bring Polarized Sunglasses for Different Light Conditions
I always travel with two pairs of polarized sunglasses: a green-mirror lens for bright conditions and an amber lens for lower light. The difference in visibility can be dramatic, especially when you're trying to identify subtle movements or fish backs in stained water. Having the right lenses can be the difference between spotting a fish yourself and repeatedly asking your guide, "Where?"
4. Pack for Changing Weather
Our October week featured daytime highs in the 80s and overnight lows in the 60s, but temperatures along the Texas coast can change quickly during the fall. The week after our departure, a cold front brought much cooler temperatures and strong winds.
On my first trip to Texas, I underestimated just how cold an early-morning skiff ride could be. I learned that lesson the hard way! Bring layers, including a good windbreaker and bibs, especially during the transitional spring and fall seasons. Conditions can range from downright tropical to surprisingly chilly.
5. Be Ready for Close, Quick Shots
One of the most important skills for Texas Redfish fishing is the ability to make fast, accurate casts at very short distances. Unlike the crystal-clear flats of the Bahamas, the water along the Texas coast can be quite stained. Redfish may suddenly appear just a few feet from the skiff, sometimes underneath your rod tip.
In these situations, you don't have time for multiple false casts. Often, the best approach is to simply flip your leader and fly toward the fish in one quick motion. It might feel silly practicing 10-foot casts at home, but I highly recommend it.
Set up targets at your 9, 12, and 3 o'clock positions, approximately 10 feet away, and practice delivering your fly with one smooth, arc-shaped movement of the rod tip. Becoming comfortable with these quick presentations can dramatically increase your success during a week on the Texas flats.
When to Fish the Texas Coast
Each season on the Texas coast offers something different.
Spring: The weather can be iffy and windy, but by May, big incoming tides can offer good opportunities for Jacks.
Summer: It's hot, but big tidal swings and strong incoming morning tides make it a good time to target big Jacks.
Fall: My favorite time of year, with cooling air and water temperatures and fish feeding aggressively.
Winter: Boat runs can be chilly, but on clear days, the sight fishing in the low water can be exceptional.
Final Thoughts
Another Texas trip is in the books, and once again, I returned home with great memories, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for this unique fishery. The conditions certainly challenged us, but they also gave us an opportunity to learn new techniques and see firsthand how skilled local guides adapt when their usual strategies aren't producing.
Just as importantly, I came away encouraged by the overall health of the fishery. We saw plenty of Redfish throughout the week, the marshes appeared healthy and full of life, and fishing pressure remained spread out enough that we enjoyed a sense of solitude in most areas.
Texas may not offer the giant Redfish found in some other destinations, but it does have a healthy population of fish, excellent sight-fishing opportunities, and the possibility of encountering everything from Black Drum, Tripletail, and Sheepshead to Jacks, sharks, and the occasional Bull Red. For anglers looking to experience saltwater fly fishing without the added complexities of international travel, it's hard to beat.
More than anything, I'll remember the people who made this trip such an enjoyable experience. We had a great group of anglers, an outstanding team of guides, plenty of laughs around the dinner table, and four days of fishing that kept us on our toes. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to the Texas coast.
If you'd like to learn more about Bay Flats Lodge or join us on a future trip, give us a call at 888-413-5211 or drop us a line at [email protected].
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