Who is best suited to this destination? Intermediate to advanced fly anglers will be right at home at Bay Flats Lodge. Also anyone who enjoys sight fishing, wild unpressured waters, fine food and comfortable accommodations will love this place.
Where is the lodge? Bay Flats Lodge is located in the middle portion of the Texas coast along the shores of San Antonio Bay just outside the small fishing town of Seadrift, TX.
How do I get there? If you’re traveling from outside of Texas, or even from far west Texas or the Texas panhandle, you will need to fly to Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or to Corpus Christi. Houston offers both the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the William P. Hobby Airport, both of which require an additional 3-hour drive to the Lodge. Austin and San Antonio offer the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the San Antonio International Airport, respectively. And, again, each will require an additional 3-hour drive to the Lodge. CCIA - Corpus Christi International Airport is a closer option, which only requires an additional 1.5-hour drive to the Lodge. Guests will need to rent a car to reach the lodge.
When should I go? This is a year-round destination, but the most consistent weather is March -June and then again late-August through mid-November. During wintertime, the uncertainty of predicting cold fronts pushing through the middle coast of Texas is undoubtedly the biggest challenge. With that said, when weather systems pass through, lower tides tend to concentrate the redfish, and fishing can be on fire.
How will I fish? Guests will stand on the bow of a technical poling skiff, possibly on a casting platform, and cast to sighted fish. You might also have the opportunity to wade the shallows of protected shorelines.
Is there wade fishing? Certain fly-fishing guides prefer only fishing from the boat, while others encourage both boat and/or wade fishing. It’s a conversation guests should have with Fly Water Travel prior to your trip if you are particularly keen on wade fishing.
Where will I fish? Guests will fish the shorelines, back lakes, and sloughs of Matagorda Island, southeast of the lodge. To the northeast guest will fish the Guadalupe River Delta, consisting of marshland lakes and grassy shorelines. These are all exceptional shallow water fisheries.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Depending upon wind and weather, boat rides to the first fishing grounds will average 30-45 minutes.
What type(s) of fish will I catch? The targeted species will be redfish. However, there’s always a chance at an occasional speckled trout and/or southern flounder.
How many fish will I catch? This will vary widely upon the fishing and conditions each day. On tough days there might only be a few fish landed, on good days there can be over a dozen.
Will I see other anglers? This usually varies depending on the day of the week. On a weekday, you may not see a single boat all day long, whereas on weekends you may see a few boats throughout the day.
What are the guides like? All Bay Flats Lodge guides are English-speaking, U.S. Coast Guard licensed, full-time, professional fly-fishing guides. They are all knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.
What are the physical demands? Aside from being able to stand on a casting platform in a poling skiff or being on your feet most of the day, no.
Are there any special skills required? You will have an advantage if you’re able to cast accurately for a distance of at least 30 feet in all directions, and in all kinds of conditions. Being able to double haul will be helpful in the wind.
Does the lodge provide equipment? Your guide will have rods, reels, terminal tackle and flies available for your use, but you are always welcome to bring and use your own equipment if you prefer.
What is your favorite setup for the trip? A favored set up is a 7 or 8 weight rod with weight forward floating line, with a 12 pound, 12-foot-long tapered leader.
What are the top flies? In that you will be primarily sight casting to the fish, you’ll like using a fly with a small size 4 hook, and maybe even smaller flies. Patterns that are proven producers are shrimp and crab patterns with bead chain or plastic eyes. You’ll never want to use anything that’s too heavy. We like flies like the Redfish Cracklin, Skinny Water Shrimp and Baffin Blue Crab from Sightcast Flies.
What are the options if weather conditions become challenging? If you wake up to challenging weather conditions, your guide will decide for you what you should do that day. Based on the day’s weather forecast, you may simply be required to wait until later in the morning to get out on the water. When the wind is blowing, there’s usually always somewhere to fish - somewhere protected. An east wind, however, is the toughest wind to fish in because there is really no place to hide. if it happens to be blowing 30 knots, your trip will not take place that day, and you’ll need to reschedule the fishing portion of your trip for a future date.
What is a typical day like? A typical day is 8 hours, which includes travel to and from the fishing grounds. Typically, in the heat of summer, there is a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break to rehydrate, and an approximate 30 minute break for lunch. A couple of the guides may even provide music while you enjoy your lunch.
What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The atmosphere at the lodge is fun and relaxed.
Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? Yes, there is a management team on site and at the ready at all times.
Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Pre-dinner appetizers are served fresh daily at 5:30 PM in our spacious outdoor kitchen. Dinner follows at 6:30 PM each evening with a four-course meal, accompanied by a complimentary bottle of wine, in the upstairs dining room of the Main Lodge. You’ll awaken the next morning to a hot buffet breakfast served, again, in the upstairs dining room of the Main Lodge. Later that same day, you’ll enjoy a full boat lunch consisting of sandwiches, chips, cookies, soft drinks, and purified water.
What is the alcohol policy? At Bay Flats Lodge, we do not carry a liquor license, so we are not allowed to sell alcohol of any nature. However, guests are allowed to bring their own adult beverages should they choose to do so. Alcohol is allowed aboard the boats if preferred, as long as no glass containers are used - absolutely no glass containers are allowed on any of the boats.
Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Typical room accommodations consist of two queen beds per room, with sometimes 1-2 rooms per suite. Single-occupancy is available upon request as an upcharge to our standard nightly rate. The lodge has a number of freestanding accommodations buildings with various room configurations.
Is there internet and/or cell service? Cell service and reception is typically good while at the lodge, but your cell signal will often be reduced while you’re fishing. The lodge offers free Wi-Fi service in all the rooms and the outdoor kitchen area.
Are there other activities? Aside from fly-fishing, Bay Flats Lodge also offers bay fishing and wade fishing with conventional gear, with artificial or live baits, year-round. Other favorites include Airboat fishing adventures, as well as our Blast & Cast packages, where we duck hunt in the morning, return to the lodge for a hot lunch, and then hunt speckled trout and redfish in the afternoon.
Are there any other expenses? Gratuities and rental wading gear (for the cold months when and if needed) are not included.
Do I need a visa? U.S. citizens do not require a visa to visit and stay at Bay Flats Lodge.
Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? No. We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.
