I have some vacation I need to burn, and am looking for an excuse to spend a few days in the woods with my old man. No time to plan and execute a DIY trip for monster mulies out west, and can't afford to take him internationally after a red stag, like he dreams of. One day, we will get after those. This is something I'm hoping to do in the next few months.

I'm looking for some recommendations for a place that would be good for 2 guys in or near TX. Not looking for a 5* lodge, or someone to do it all for us- we like to get our hands dirty. I would also vastly prefer something more than sitting in a blind. Don't need gold medal animals- we both would rather fill the freezer and have fun doing it.

Please share your experiences and recommendations!

I'm also considering a cast & blast with Bay Flatts Lodge, but I'm not sure how gung-ho he is for fly fishing.

Aggieangler93 said:

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My experience is that bay flats is mostly bait soaking guides. So I wouldn't let the lack of fly fishing scare ya off from them.

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Oh, that's great feedback. I appreciate it. That might scare me off though… ha ha!

There are quite a few of us on here who have hunted with Brandon at El Sapo. I took my dad on an axis hunt with him last year for his 70th. We had a great time and plan to do it again.

Would highly recommend Brandon with El Sapo as well. Did an axis hunt with him at the end of 2023, and really want to hunt with him again.

For fly fishing go with Aggie Dylan Mendoza in rockport. I've got two days with him in Oct.

Dustin McRae Texas safari

Appreciate the recommendations on here (as well as those who have texted me)! Some great leads so far.

For sure Wendy Lou Game Reserve. 6000 acres, owned by a South African, built African style - rooms and lodge and all, no feeders or blinds, I'm going there for the second time in a few weeks, it's wonderful. Mike O'Dell manages the place but he's getting too old to guide and he exclusively uses Travis Wright as his outfitter now. It's north of Waco. If you're interested I can PM you Mike and Travis' phone numbers. Great red stag, gemsbok, scimitar, oryx, fallow, zebra and more. Reasonable prices too.

http://www.wendyloureserve.com/

Intrepid ranch just west of FW. High fence, many exotics. Great prices and service. Tell em Wendal sent you

Second this he is the best for reds in the fly

Thanks for the recommendations guys! We have started checking around with a few of these, and are trying to see if our schedules line up. I'll let yall know if we do.

cupofjoe04 said:

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Aggieangler93 said:

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My experience is that bay flats is mostly bait soaking guides. So I wouldn't let the lack of fly fishing scare ya off from them.

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Oh, that's great feedback. I appreciate it. That might scare me off though… ha ha!

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It certainly does me. OFC I keep a boat in POC, and fish conventional with all artificial, so to each, his own! I used to do some saltwater fly rodding. I need to take a few long rods on occasion and get back at it.