So I'm going to hunt an island on the coast for the first time this year... Should I hunt marshy bays or the freshwater ponds?

Hunt where ever the ducks are flying haha. With the coastal hunt, if you are going to one of the public WMAs, if the weather is nice make sure you get in line the night before and camp out in your car.

Call the WMA in advance and ask their opinion on where the birds are flying, they will tell you straight up whats going on and give you some pretty good advice on where to go.

Also for the public WMAs be ready for fools to be sky busting ducks flying 60 to 80 yards above their heads so be prepared for that otherwise it will piss you off to no end. Also I would not go with a HUGE spread out there, as these ducks are educated. They have seen everything by the time they get there. 12 duck spread max with a mojo or two just to get their curiosity up. too big of a spread here brings back PTSD for the ducks that have been shot at before haha.

In the few hunts I have done out there this has been the best results for me.

you just have to be where the ducks are Flying.. Keep your spread small so you can move quickly if need be. It's easy to miss the x by 100 yards or less. Divers like redheads like to skirt islands and fly over water.. but this time of the year you'll have a better variety. My buddy killed a saltwater woody over the weekend! Good Luck!

Thanks guys!! I have 8000 acres of marsh and ponds down there so at least I won't have to worry about other hunters.. I've just never duck hunted outside of the panhandle so this will be new for me..

8000 acres?? You can't possibly handle all those ducks on your own...

Haha I'm bringing 3 of my buddies down.. hopefully get 4 limits every morning..

Well good luck, post pics!!

Good luck.

Thanks we're gonna need it!!!

should be a big push of birds for you this weekend! go get em!

I would but won't be able to make it down til thanksgiving..