TIDE magazine - Redheads to Redfish article

Story and photos by Jeff Dennis

Coastal Texas adds swarms of migratory ducks to its shallow salt environs by November. The private mile-long peninsula of The Redfish Lodge provides both hunting and fishing grounds, resting perfectly on the point overlooking Copano Bay. Visitors can enjoy gunning for bull redheads and drake pintails, as a diversion from catching bull redfish, in a classic case of Cast and Blast!

Cover for Nov/Dec 2013 issue

            November temperatures may still be quite warm, but even if the weather begins to cool down, the fishing remains red hot. Saltwater fishing is the primary focus of The Redfish Lodge, providing 20 years of guided fishing trips for their clientele. Chief guide Brain Holden puts the ratio of his winter trips as 90-percent fishing and 10-percent duck hunting, but the discerning sportsman will want to try both.

Lady angler catches strapping redfish

            Of course it was saltwater fishing that first brought me to Corpus Christi. Joining a leadership group from CCA, we took a 45-minute shuttle bus ride to Rockport. The Redfish Lodge operates this shuttle and as a repeat visitor I can relate that their driver is dependable. The van ride passes by the U.S.S. Lexington, before the scenery switches to vast fields fitted with wind energy turbines, before giving way to the Texas scrub and cattle habitat that hugs the coast.

            A visit to The Redfish Lodge includes friendly and hands on service. The shuttle driver will have your room assignment, and will relay what time to report to the main lodge for meals that are prepared by their chef. To say that each room offers a waterfront view does not fully convey the panoramic beauty from this peninsula. Passing thunderstorms become opportunities to view the power and beauty of nature using a 360-degree view.

            During my May 2011 fishing trip, I noticed that inside the main lodge some duck taxidermy was scattered among the fish taxidermy. When I inquired about the availability of waterfowl to hunt during winter, I was happy to learn that this part of Texas is right at the bottom of the migratory flyway. The fact that the duck mounts were redheads and pintails set off my duck radar in a BIG way!

            Find a copy of the Nov / Dec 2013 issue of TIDE to finish reading about The Redfish Lodge.

To view past articles I wrote for CCA and TIDE magazine click on 2013, 2012, 2011,2010, 2009