Welcome to Hackberry Rod and Gun
Saturday, July 31 2010 @ 02:52 AM EDT

Testimonials From the Experts... YOU!

Captain Buddy,

My husband, Bill Weeks, booked a fishing trip, and I was so fortunate to have one of your very best guides, Capt. Anthony Busceme. He was patient and worked very hard to make my fishing experience successful. I enjoyed the trip and, of course, would request Anthony for any future fishing trips. We were able to catch our limit in reds early-on. He then was able to find us flounder and some speckled trout. He is quite handy and so kind to ladies. Get ready, Anthony, I am thinking of bringing some other women to fish with you!!!! He worked so very hard to see that I was able to catch fish and I did! It was a great day! The accommodations were excellent too, and the food was just like Momma cooked.

Betty Weeks

I just want to thank everyone for the GREAT time I had fishing with your outfit. This is the first time coming and will definitely be back with my son and some friends. Our guide Brentt was the best and will request him when I return.

Thanks again

Kris Killam

Well.......

It happened again!!

We fished for 2 days in a row... and once again we limited out on Reds both days.

That's 4 days fishing at the HR & G and my boat has caught a total of:

70 Redfish (limit)
75 Specks
33 Flounder

What a paradise!!

Thank you all very much for your incredible hospitality and wonderful experience.

We fished with Bret last summer and the last 2 days with Darney. Both were brilliant fisherman and both were great company. My parents fished with Paul the last 2 days and had the time of their lives.

Please display my review anywhere you would like.

Sincerely

Ty Burcham

Hackberry guys,

I just wanted to thank you guys for the great time we had fishing Labor Day. Sean Gilstrap brings alot of his clients and friends there to fish and last year was our first time to visit. Captain Brady got stuck with the girls and Captain Paul chose the guys. Needless to say, the girls out fished the guys hands down!!! We had so much fun on last years trip!!

Well this year Captain Paul got stuck with the girls on Labor Day after returning from his 5 day vacation. What a welcome back for him :) Anyway, we had a great time and he more than made up for not wanting to guide the girls last year even though one of the girls hooked his visor while casting and launched it into the water!! (Could have been the ear Paul! but that would not have been good being he hates needles!!) It was quite funny and I think it was just a warning for him!!!

Also, we did make him work with all the snags and hooks he had to replace for us :) He is a great guide and was more than happy to put up with us! I hope you guys have a great season and I wanted to thank you again for your professionalism and making everyone feel at home! Sean and the guys will see you in a couple of weeks for a tournament but it probably won't be til next year before the girls see ya again. What is the deal with the "all guy" trip?? We need to have a blast and cast "all girl" trip!! That sounds good. Tell Paul to get ready!!!! :)

Thanks again, you are a great bunch of guys!!!

Sincerely,

Jodi Oleyar

Could you pass this on to Captain Paul. I didn't get a chance to say thank you before we left! By the way, Amanda does have bruises on her stomach from fighting that stingray for an hour! At least we got to see what it was. Take care!

Buddy, thanks again for a great time at Hackberry Rod and Gun. Please tell everyone there how much I appreciate the hospitality and all they do to see that everyone has a good time.

I'm taking the liberty to giving your email address and office telephone number to one of my best friends, Luke Clayton, who is a long-time outdoor writer and lives near Dallas.

Luke writes for several North Texas weekly newspapers, is editor of Catfish Gold, a magazine I am field editor for and has a weekly outdoors radio program in Texas. Luke also writes a series of outdoor articles for a new Internet site for Mossy Oak that Florida outdoor writer Bob McNally is spearheading.

I told Luke about Hackberry and he would like to do a piece on Hackberry Rod and Gun for the Mossy Oak site plus a telephone interview with you for his radio program. He likely will call you very soon.. Thanks and best wishes, Bob Hood.

PS: I left a few copies of the catfish magazine Luke is editor of in Room No. 1 where Sloan, Todd and I stayed. There are two different names of the magazine. You will see the name changed from Catfish Now to Catfish Gold in the past two issues...Bob.

Your crew and this includes everyone did an excellent job of showing all of us a great time. I was not surprised at the hospitality and so many smiling faces since that's the way folks around there are. I know that all of you are very proud of the new lodge and other new facilities as well you should be. The guides, kitchen folks, and the office staff are just as impressive if not more so than the material facilities. I've never felt more welcome anywhere. Thanks again for having us over there.

Captain Kirk did a super job as a good will ambassador. He would check on us often to be sure that we didn't need anything. Captain Bret was really a breath of fresh to go fishing with. There are few young men of his age who are as diligent and personable as he is. He is a true asset. Captain Dane is an old salt from the old school. We were able to not only catch fish, but recall some of the old times. It seems as though we both were acquainted with some of the same people around that part of Louisiana.

Both of the guides worked hard to show us a good time as well as good fishing. We sincerely appreciate them. Thanks again for the hospitality. Neaux I still wont use a pink rod.

Halfin

Buddy,

I am still amazed at the thought, planning, and development of the new Hackberry Rod and Gun. I've been coming down for 25 years and understand all that has gone on. The shift from Terry to today was not easy and to make matters even more difficult, a killer hurricane. They say that from adversity comes great things. As I see it, you can be defeated, tuck your tail and be in a perpetual self-pity party. Or, you can grow....reach out...and stay positive...and make the negative turn to positive. I have in my office a few words that I look at all the time. It states, "there are those that think I can....and there are those that think I can't....fact is, they are both right....which one are you?"

You, Kirk, Bobby, Guy...and the wives.... (heaven forbid to forget what they have done)....deserve a huge dose of respect from all of us that have seen the progress made over the years and in particular the last few years.

It was my pleasure to see all of you once again. Indeed a pleasure to see John again. He is a class act. Thank you for allowing Mike and I to fish with John and the guides.

It was all good. Really enjoyed all your hospitality with Mike there at Hackberry Rod and Gun.

Signing off...I remain...."was there yesterday"!....yours truly,

Chuck Byrd

Dear HR&G:

Please pass along our thanks to your crew for a great day on the lake yesterday. Your facilities are first class as well as your people. Captain Biddy did a great job of keeping our group on trout. We ended up with 4 limits of trout along with some redfish and flounder. Ms. Pauline was also very nice and helpful in the office. You guys have it all figured out!

Best regards,

Greg Lummus
ENGlobal Engineering Inc.

Hey Buddy,

I kind of thought the update would be “bright and early” this morning after hearing about the big trout caught. What a great weekend to fish!!!!!!!!!!! I brought a couple of friends down for a one day only trip and within 2 hours, we had 15 redfish, 34 trout and 4 flounders. ALL caught at zero mile marker at the beginning of the jetties. Perfect outgoing tide and we could have caught more but I had to lay my rod down every time we had a decent fish on. Buying your assorted bait box when you first put them on the market was the best $29.95 I’ve spent on fishing. Thanks to you all!!

John M. Giffen, P.E.
President
Pro-X Diagnostic Concepts
West Monroe, LA

Captain Bubby,

Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had on the Stalker. Please, let the Captain and his hand (sorry I can not think of there names), that we had a blast. We are already talking about our next "Stalker" trip. We can not stop talking about out trip.

Eddie and I have been on day trips, and as usual everyone at Hackberry Rod and Gun have treated us like family.

Looking forward to the Houston Show, so we can book our next trip.

Again, Thanks for a Wonderful time.....

Love Ya,
Ruth Munson

Pauline,
Thanks for a great fishing trip last Saturday. I have to say I have been to Canada on several trips, and Hackberry Rod and Gun runs a first class operation. From the time you checked us into the lodge, until our departure we felt welcome the entire time. I also want to commend Jimmy. He ran a complete professional trip and put us on the fish. This trip was really for my son Cody. He caught the first fish and proceeded to whip Doug and I. Again, on behalf of our crew, thanks for a great time. Looking forward to seeing y’all soon. Please tell Jimmy hello and our thoughts and prayers are with him concerning his son.
Good fishing and clear skies,
Arthur Riedel

Hey guys,

I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how much we enjoyed fishing with David Moreno yesterday. My buddy Kevin has only fished a few times before and has hands of stone when it comes to fishing. David hooked a big red at the jetties (between dodging storms) and immediately handed his rod to Kevin who had twenty minutes of fun at hand. That little class move made it a great trip for us. I have attached some photos of our trip for you all. See you soon.

Perry Forrester

Buddy,

Last Thursday the 28th my son and I fished with captain Grant. I just wanted to tell him once again what a great job he did with my son. We enjoyed fishing with him. I could not have ordered a guide out of a catalog any better than what Grant was.

Thank You.

Gene and Jake Holloway.

Dear Buddy,

Thanks really cant describe it, you run an absolutely first class outfit. I had heard how great your fishing trips were but I always take statements like that with a grain of salt. Our group had absolutely the greatest fishing trip ever.
Bart and Brett were absolutely great on the Night Stalker Too. The people in the office, the folks in the kitchen, the food and the accomodations went above and beyond. We landed 90 keeper trout. We threw back about 20 that were under 15 (we set that as our limit) and we threw back over 200 croaker. It was an amazing amount of fish we caught. We have already reserved August 26th for out return visit and are counting the days. I will contact the office early next week to leave the deposit.

I really would like to think of a way to bring my kayaks so I can fish some of the duckponds and tributeries on Hwy 27 saturday afternoon after we recooperate.
Once again thank you...

Bill Bragman
Houston, Texas

Just a note of thanks; My brothers in law and myself fished on Monday the 6th. We were the Settigest and Burke party. I am writing not just to tell you what a great day we had because there is more than just fun to comment about! Our guide was Wade who is 20 years old and did a great job!

You see my brother in law Eden has MS and it is a terrible disease. Eden has been a hunter and fisherman his whole life and this disease is starting to affect his motor skills and at times his thinking. He is so proud and never ever complains or makes excuses so we said not a word to Wade about Eden's condition. Wade did a lot to help Eden without him knowing and as I watched Eden fish and Wade move around so Eden could sit in his spot I thought he was a pretty damn good kid. I did not get a chance to talk to Wade alone so please pass this on with my gratitude. (he should remember me cuz I caught the biggest Trout)

Dear Buddy and company, thanks for the photos.

I wanted to drop you a note and express my gratitude to Captain David Darnsteadt for a truly outstanding day of fishing; and to Bobby, Dorothy, Michelle and the rest of the gang for a nice stay.

Tuesday morning started out a little slow, it was cold with a 20-25 knot north wind; we drifted over oyster reefs for about two hours and nada. During this time Captain David Darnsteadt concentrated on instructing my 8 year old son in casting, which worked out fine considering the wind. Captain Darney suggested a trip to the jetties to target some "reds".

Wow!!! Did we ever hit the reds. 15 minutes after the bait was in the water my son was first on, and landed a 40" red with the gentle guidance and assistance of the Cap'n. We landed 13 reds in three hours; all between 39 and 43 inches. After guidance by Captain Darnsteadt on the first few reds my son fought a couple of the monsters completely on his own. The double hook-up with me and my boy both fighting monster reds is a memory I won't soon forget. What a blast! Since both reds were on the starboard side of the boat Captain David was trying to figure out which one to net first as he was yelling for Christopher to "keep the rod tip up!", "keep the rod tip up!", it was truly a sight to see.

It was consistent redfish until we pulled up anchor. All in all a great day spent with my son and a guide who knows his territory and enjoys his work. Captain David Darnsteadt is an asset to your organization. We will be back in May to slam some old yellow-mouths on top water and look forward to fishing with David again.

Tight lines,
Mike Bowker

Buddy,

Please tell Guy, Bobby and Kurt thanks for the good time last week. Even though the duck hunting was a bit slow last week we still enjoyed our visit to Hackberry Rod and Gun. Also, please let Jimmy know as always we enjoyed our hunts with him once again. He is a true professional. Tell him not to step on the grass at the blind!!!!!!! Look forward to seeing everyone next year.

John and Fletcher

Thanks for sending all the pictures over the last few months. I have truly ENJOYED THEM. SINCE I CANNOT GO FISHING UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT-YEAR.

Because I had BACK SURGERY in August, know I have WATER THERAPY then PT and OT. BUT, I have to go back on November 15, 04 for a third surgery to finish the job, then I start all over again. SO KEEP THOSE PICTURES COMING. WELL, I CAN STILL ENJOY SOMEONE ELSE HAVING A GREAT TIME.

So PLEASE keep your e-mails coming, so I can have some FISH to look at. As soon as I get the green light I will get a few friends together and come see ya.
Thank you very, very, very much.

Thanks!
Laid up till next year
Johnnie Smith

To Whom It May Concern:

We wanted to personally say thank you for the experience that we had with Captain Bitty on Saturday October 16, 2004.

There were three of us on his boat and he really bent over backwards to make sure that we caught fish and enjoyed ourselves.

The food and the hospitality that we experienced were exceptional from the crew that greeted us to the ladies in the kitchen and of course Bitty.

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Todd D. Gunnels
Sterling Steel

I want to thank Hackberry Rod and Gun and especially Captain Grant Miller for the hospitality and fishing I and others enjoyed this past Monday night and Tuesday on the water. You run a top-notch outfit that was a pleasure to visit. In particular I want to thank Grant for his services and camaraderie. I have been on several guided trips in south Louisiana and the Calcasieu Lake area and I would have to say that I enjoyed fishing with Grant above all others. He not only knows how to fish, but his professionalism and service are a cut above the rest. I should also note that all of the guides at HRG definitely enjoy their job, get along well, and work together as well any group could which makes a huge difference when you fish in a larger group like I did.

Please tell Grant that it is a pleasure of mine to call him a friend after one day and I look forward to coming down again. Also, I tried one of his speck recipes and it was great for my wife and me. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Please feel free to contact me if you ever get up this way.

Best regards,

Sandy Stewart

Captain Buddy,

Though it is long overdue I wanted to send you an email saying thank you for the wonderful trip I had on the Night Stalker.

Back on 08-15-04 I was part of the group that caught 131 fish, and I am the one that caught the 7lb, 28 " speckle trout that you guys are having mounted for me by your taxidermist. I would have never thought for the life of me that I would have caught such a huge trout. My father (Jim Sanders), a couple of my brothers, and some other family are coming up for another trip this Sunday and I have to say I am quite jealous I am not going. I would also like to say that the guys that took us out were just top notch guides. Also I would like to thank the ladies in your office. I was so groggy the morning we left, that I left a tackle box with two reels inside our room, and your office staff were nice enough to UPS them to my office in Austin. I can't wait till I come back again next summer, and until then my best wishes to everyone and thanks again!

Sincerely,

Tracy Sanders

Captain Buddy,

Harwood and I really enjoyed the fishing trip. Please put him on your mailing list. We had a great trip with Captain Kirk Sunday. He's one heck of a guide, best one I've ever fished with. I'll never forget the tricks he taught us such as the rubber band trick, the surgeon knot and when chasing birds about how the grass is always greener on the next bunch. I have never seen such an aggressive fish hunter as he is, man that guy don't stop for nothing. You guy's run the Best fishing camp I've ever been to, what a bunch of pro's.

I've went over your website for recipe's and need yours for boiling crabs. Those we ate Saturday afternoon were the best I've ever had, how'd you do it? Later

Don White

Captain Buddy!

WOW! What a great time we had at Hackberry Rod and Gun Club with you guys on June 30th and July 1st. The hospitality and accommodations were AWESOME! The hardest thing about the whole trip is putting up "Captain Kirk"!...(HaHa) Seriously Kirk, Guy, and Bobby are the greatest. I have been coming to Hackberry Rod and Gun Club for right at 20 years and these guys are more than just the guys that own the club where you go occasionally to hunt and fish. They become your friends from day one and make you feel right at home! Over the 20 or so years that I have been coming to Hackberry Rod and Gun Club it only gets better and better! All of the guides are awesome and do more than expected to accommodate you as well as put you on the finest trout and red fishing that you can imagine. Mrs. Ruth and all of the other ladies in the kitchen serve up food that you can only find in a 5 star restaurant and it is truly great! The whole staff at Hackberry Rod and Gun Club goes above and beyond what is expected of them to make an awesome trip. I am looking forward to bringing my son on his first trip to Hackberry Rod and Gun Club on July 20th so he will have a chance to fall in love with this experience just as I did with my dad (Big Ben) 20 years ago!

Thanks Once Again!
Todd Martin
Winnfield, La

Buddy,

Stout Trout 2004 was a huge success!!! We had four entirely new teams that had never experienced the tournament or Hackberry Rod & Gun, needless to say they were impressed. One of "rookie" teams was responsible for winning the big trout so I think we might see them again next year.

You mentioned to me before we left that it was our people that make our group fun to have in the camp. We take the event and the entertainment quite seriously. While riding home I made a similar observation. It is your people that make our trip a huge success. Yes, the food is good, the sponsor goodies are exciting, the lodging is well designed to accommodate our entire party but it is the people that make the experience unforgettable. All the guides take care of our group, the staff in the office is gracious and of course the marketing is fabulous!

I spend the other 51 weekends of the year recruiting for this trip and doing my best to show my appreciation by telling everybody I know and meet about our trip and what makes it great...HR&G. Keep up the good work and we will see you around the camp some time soon.

Sincerely
Stewart Nelson

“Picked first in a series celebrating legendary water fowling destinations!”

Ducks Unlimited

One day many years ago, Moses was going to part the Calcasieu Lake, but he saw HR&G guides fishing there and decided the Egyptian army would be easier to pick on.

Todd Masson,
Louisiana Sportsman Magazine

Hackberry Rod & Gun for over 25 years has been guiding their customers to this region’s waterfowl bounty. HR&G’s holdings encompass more than 15,000 acres of marsh. They allocates one blind per thousand acres and sets out 350 to 500 decoys per blind to draw ducks to their hunters. Bagging a limit is virtually assured.

American Hunter’s Duck Hunting Hotspots

Hackberry Rod and Gun has become about the best know in North America. It has now reached a point that a familiar question among traveling water fowlers is: Have you hunted at Hackberry Rod & Gun Yet?

Worth Mathewson,
Water Fowl Magazine

“Cameron Parish is the traditional wintering ground for millions of ducks and a stopover for millions more headed to Mexico and Central America. To say that pintails, Mallards, Gadwall, Widgeon, teal, ring necks and several other species are abundant is a gross understatement. Here, birds are what sand is to the Sahara! They are everywhere, and they provide perhaps the most consistent shooting on the continent” American Hunter’s Duck Hunting Hotspots

“If you like chunking a top water plug and watching blow-ups of Big sow trout and Redfish, There’s plenty to interest you.

Joe Doggett,
Houston Chronicle

“Anytime you can find world class water fowling and fishing in the same area, then reach over the side of the boat for all of the oysters you can eat, there is something inherently special about this Eden. We won’t even get into the gumbo, etoufee (a-to-fay) or roast duck served at the lodge”

Mike Holliday,
The Tribune

“Hackberry Rod & Gun’s long term success is based on three basic elements…Excellent food, outstanding lodging, competent guides, and what many, myself included, consider to be the finest redfish and speckled trout fishing to be found anywhere.”

Larry Bozka,
Coastal Conservation Association

DOING IT RIGHT! Is an understatement, In the past year I have fished and hunted with you all many times and as of September of 2003 I will have brought over 100 clients to your Lodge, and not one complaint. You all make this part of my job easy!

All of my clients have had such a great time many have booked trips on their own for them and family members, daughters, sons, parents and wife's. The only thing is your food is not a place to be on a diet. Keep up the good work and wish I was there yesterday and today. thanks again for making my clients and my life simple when it comes to having a good time.

JB Gibson
Houston Texas

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485 Lake Breeze Drive
Hackberry, LA 70645
Toll Free 1-888-762-3391
337-762-3391 337-762-3791- fax

Email: captainbuddy@hackberryrodandgun.com

Last Updated: Friday, October 23 2009 @ 03:51 PM EDT|Hits: 4,785