Reese Hunt, born in 1947, is a lifelong resident of Corpus Christi, Texas, and an avid fisherman with a deep connection to Baffin Bay and the Laguna Madre. His passion for fishing was inherited from his father, who was introduced to the sport by family members after moving to Corpus Christi from Mexia, Texas, following his service in World War II. Hunt began fishing in the Laguna Madre at a young age, around ten to twelve years old, when his father and a group of friends built a fishing cabin at Marker 69-A. Despite the cabin being taken over by the Padre Island National Seashore, Hunt continued to fish in the area, even after he grew older and went to college. In the mid-seventies, Hunt began fishing in Baffin Bay, initially with his father and later on his own. He also shared a fishing cabin on Twin Palms Island with David McKee. Hunt's first thirty-inch trout was caught at the entrance to the Tide Gauge Bar. Hunt's love for Baffin Bay is rooted in its remoteness and the memories of his early fishing experiences when a big horsepower motor was thirty-five horse, and most boats were made of wood. He has witnessed the evolution of fishing technology, from wooden boats to fiberglass ones and from manual engines to battery starts.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Reese Hunt, conducted by Jen Brown on July 25, 2022, in Corpus Christi, Texas, provides a rich oral history of fishing in Baffin Bay and the Laguna Madre. Hunt shares his personal experiences and memories, from his early years fishing with his father to his later adventures in Baffin Bay. The interview covers a range of topics, including Hunt's family background, his introduction to fishing, the construction of their fishing cabin at Marker 69-A, and the impact of the establishment of the Padre Island National Seashore on their fishing activities. Hunt also discusses his first fishing experiences in Baffin Bay in the mid-seventies, his shared fishing cabin on Twin Palms Island, and his first thirty-inch trout. Hunt provides a unique perspective on the evolution of fishing technology, recounting the transition from wooden boats to fiberglass ones and from manual engines to battery starts. He also discusses the impact of environmental changes on fishing, including the brown tide, big freezes, and the increase in pollution as the population grows. Hunt also shares his observations on the changes in the Laguna Madre over the years, including the increase in silt, the disappearance of certain fishing spots, and the potential impact of the causeway on the health of the Laguna Madre. He also briefly touches on the presence of crabs and shrimp in the area. The interview provides valuable insight into the history and evolution of fishing in Baffin Bay and the Laguna Madre, as well as the environmental changes that have occurred over the years. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of fishing in the area, the impact of environmental changes on fishing, and the personal experiences of a lifelong fisherman.