Morning Duck Hunt on Laguna Madre
Private Trip
Active hunting
Fourhour morning hunt targeting Cinnamon Teal, Northern Pintail, and RedheadPrivate land access with experienced Guide Jacob OldenburgSmall group setting with maximum four hunters per trip
Ready to chase ducks on one of Texas' most productive waterfowl destinations? Guide Jacob Oldenburg knows every nook and cranny of Laguna Madre, and he's ready to put you on birds. This 4-hour morning hunt kicks off at 6:00 AM when the ducks are moving, and you'll be targeting some of the region's top species including Cinnamon Teal, Northern Pintail, and Redhead. Whether you book the whole boat for your crew or join other hunters for a shared experience, you're looking at active hunting with plenty of shooting opportunities. At $250 per gun with a max of 4 hunters, this trip fills up fast during peak season.
Jacob sets up on private land along the Laguna Madre shoreline, which means no crowded public spots and better access to feeding areas where ducks naturally want to be. You'll meet near Laguna Shores Road in Corpus Christi before heading out to the blind setup. The hunt runs 4 solid hours, giving you plenty of time to work different flights as birds move throughout the morning. This isn't a sit-and-wait situation - Jacob actively calls and adjusts tactics based on what the ducks are doing. The small group size keeps things intimate and gives everyone better shooting lanes. Weather plays a big role here, and Jacob knows how to read the conditions to position you where birds want to land. Bring your own shells and be ready to move if needed - the best duck hunting happens when you adapt to what the birds are telling you.
The Laguna Madre system offers unique hunting compared to inland marsh hunting. You're dealing with saltwater influence, which affects bird behavior and feeding patterns differently than freshwater environments. Jacob uses a mix of calling techniques depending on species - what works for pintails won't always pull in redheads. The terrain features shallow flats, grass beds, and protected coves where ducks feel secure. Wind direction matters huge here, and Jacob positions blinds to take advantage of natural flyways. Decoy spreads vary based on target species, with different setups for divers versus dabblers. The key is reading bird movement and adjusting throughout the morning. Early flights often feature different species than mid-morning pushes, so staying flexible pays off. Jacob brings quality calls and knows when to stay quiet - sometimes the best calling is no calling at all. Steel shot only in this area, and Jacob can advise on load recommendations based on conditions and target species.
Redhead ducks are diving specialists that love the deeper water areas of Laguna Madre. These medium-sized ducks hit the scales around 2-3 pounds and provide excellent table fare. Redheads typically show up in larger rafts during peak migration, making for fast-paced shooting when they commit to the decoys. They prefer different spreads than puddle ducks, often requiring more open water setups. Best hunting happens during cold front pushes when new birds are moving through the system. Redheads can be picky about decoy placement and will often circle multiple times before committing, testing your patience but delivering great action when they finally come in.
Northern Pintail represent the classic prairie duck experience, even in coastal environments. These sleek, fast-flying ducks are among the wariest species you'll encounter, making a successful hunt especially rewarding. Pintails typically weigh 1.5-2.5 pounds and are prized for their challenging nature and excellent eating quality. They respond well to feeding calls and often provide the first action of the morning. Pintails prefer shallow water areas where they can tip-feed, and they're notorious for flaring at the last second if something doesn't look right. The key is natural decoy movement and conservative calling. When conditions align, pintails provide some of the most exciting hunting as they lock up and drop into the spread with distinctive whistling wing beats.
Cinnamon Teal offer a unique hunting opportunity in the Laguna Madre system. These smaller ducks, typically weighing around 1 pound, are known for their acrobatic flight patterns and preference for shallow, vegetation-rich areas. They're often the first teal species to arrive during early migration periods and can provide consistent action throughout the morning. Cinnamon teal are less wary than pintails but more unpredictable in their flight patterns, often appearing when you least expect them. They respond well to teal calls and can be pulled into decoy spreads with proper presentation. While smaller than other target species, they make up for size with numbers and provide excellent practice for wing shooting. Their meat is considered among the best of all duck species, making them a favorite target for hunters who prioritize table fare.
Jacob's morning duck hunts on Laguna Madre deliver the kind of hunting experience that keeps you coming back season after season. The combination of productive private land access, expert local knowledge, and prime waterfowl habitat makes this a top-rated choice for serious duck hunters. With the 7-day cancellation policy, make sure you're committed when you book - but honestly, weather is usually the only thing that'll keep you away once you see what this area produces. The $250 per gun rate includes guide service and blind setup, though you'll need to bring your own ammunition and license. Whether you're targeting your limit or just wanting to get on some quality birds, this hunt puts you in position to succeed. Contact Code 3 Guide Services to check availability and secure your spot before the best dates fill up.
Cinnamon teal are smaller ducks, usually around a pound, but they make up for size with speed and agility. The drakes sport that beautiful cinnamon-colored plumage that gives them their name. These birds stick to shallow water areas with good vegetation - think marshy potholes and edges of the flats where cattails and sedges grow thick. Best hunting happens during migration periods, particularly September through October and again in March. What guests really enjoy about targeting cinnamon teal is the fast-paced action and their willingness to work decoys when conditions are right. They're also fantastic on the table with mild, tender meat that's never fishy. The secret with these birds is hunting the right habitat - focus on those shallow, weedy spots where they feel comfortable feeding. Small spreads work better than big ones, and don't be afraid to hunt tight to cover.
Pintails are the athletes of the duck world - sleek, long-necked birds that can stretch nearly 30 inches with those signature pointed tails. Around Laguna Madre, they prefer the shallow flats and marshy areas where they can tip up to feed on seeds and aquatic vegetation. Early season hunting from October through December is prime time, especially on those crisp mornings when they're moving between roosting and feeding spots. Hunters love pintails for their beauty and the way they respond to calling - they're curious birds that often commit well to a good spread. The table fare is excellent too, ranking among the best-eating ducks. Key trick here is keeping your decoy spread simple and realistic. Pintails have sharp eyes and will flare off over-done setups. A dozen mallard decoys with a few pintail drakes mixed in usually does the job.
These diving ducks are built solid at about 2-3 pounds with the males showing off that classic rust-red head during breeding season. Redheads love the deeper waters of Laguna Madre, usually working 4-8 feet where they can dive for aquatic plants and mollusks. Peak hunting runs from November through January when cold fronts push birds down from up north. What makes them special is their challenge - they're smart, often rafting up in large groups in open water before committing to decoys. The meat's top-notch too, cleaner tasting than most divers since they eat more vegetation. My go-to setup is running a large spread with plenty of redhead and canvasback decoys in deeper pockets. Watch for those calm mornings after a front - that's when they really want to work the spread.
Corpus Christi