Blame it all on Paul. Or better yet, thank him for it. “Check this out,” he calls to tell me. “A floating cabin in the Land Cut. We gotta do this. Fire up your computer and look at www.captaincarl.com.” I get his point immediately.

The Land Cut area, between Corpus Christi and Port Mansfield, may be one of the most pristine, isolated, beautiful places along the Gulf Coast. And to top that off, it’s also one of the best places to intercept the legions of speckled trout that lurk in the deep water of this part of the Intercoastal Waterway, concentrated by the current which delivers copious amounts of forage fish to their waiting mouths.

Soon after, Paul, Kyle, Terry and I are loaded down with full gas cans, drinking water, food, beer and ice — plus anything else we think we might need — and meeting Captain Carl at Marker 37 for the 50-mile run to our “base camp” for the next two days. It’s small. It’s rustic. It has small single beds. It has no television, no flushing toilets, no cell phone service. In fact, it’s perfect. For we’re in splendid isolation here, just six miles away from the famed Nine-Mile Hole’s legendary fishing by day, and hot and heavy trout action under the green lights right off our cabin porch by night.

With plenty of fuel, we explore the maze of canals through the tidal flats by day; fishing along the way. By night, we fish right off our front porch, as barges steam past our humble lodge. Friendships are rekindled. Feasts are shared. Naps are taken. Plans are made to return.

BASE CAMP: The floating cabin at the Land Cut has six bunk beds, a front porch and a kitchen with running water, a solar shower, a PortaPotty, a propane stove and air-conditioning. Bring everything else!

GREEN WITH ENVY: Speckled trout feed on the baitfish attracted to the green light.