I have the innate ability to backlash even an Abu Garcia Anti-Backlash Baitcaster and … Our buddy Captain Yano Serra of Coden, Alabama says,” The trout will be up in the rivers- in deeper holes. Also Read 4 Tips for Cold Weather Trout He got his first boat as a teenager, and eventually got his captain’s license in 2016, after moving to Savannah in 2010. Find out about Trout. On todays adventure we Targeted cold water Speckled Trout, on Oak Island NC February 4th 2017. Cool Water Recipe for Speckled Trout. Cold, winter water can throw speckled trout into a tizzy and turn fishing trips into hours of boredom, unless you understand how fish respond. The minimal tidal flow allows the water to better retain the heat rather than cold water rushing that lowers the temp. A bonafide 6-to 8-pounder is a trophy. Speckled Trout fishing in Savannah varies slightly throughout the year. Out of the cold white water came a large shaking yellow- mouth with two fangs. About the lure. In cold weather and water times, specks are not scattered widely- they’re concentrated in big schools in very specific locations. It’s … margin-top: 10px; This slow-troll allows anglers to cover a lot of water. The sun heats up shallow water in the afternoon so trout like to go up there and enjoy the warmth, but at night these shallow waters get very cold, so they’ll want to dive deep where it’s warmer than the shallows. A place that anglers find very good cold-water trolling and casting for speck is in Dog River between the marina and the west side of the bridge which crosses Dog River. Both of us switched from fishing soft plastic tails to slow sinking mullet imitation plugs, with the most bites coming on 52M series MirrOlures, in white/green and bone/chartreuse. Rainbow Trout The Rainbow Trout can be identified by the white lining around its mouth, black spots covering its tail, dorsal fin, on the back and below the lateral line. “For instance, a healthy 26-inch speck should weigh about 6 pounds, a 27-inch fish should weigh about 7 pounds, and so forth. Rapala Skitter Prop. The day a … Also, this deep water is where the bait tends to congregate. Anglers should look for the deepest pockets in the channel and work the area slowly and thoroughly. I like a grub on a jig head. Almost all of the fish under 14 inches leave the rivers when the water gets dangerously cold, heading to the mouth of the Bay or the ocean, where temperatures are more stable. They’ll eat baby crabs, little shrimp, little mullet, small croakers-whatever is there.”. The Saltwater Magazine for Gulf Coast Fishing! – smaller is better. A place that anglers find very good cold-water trolling and casting for speck is in Dog River between the marina and the west side of the bridge which crosses Dog River. In fact, fishing for specks in chilly weather can be quite productive. In cold water times, specks like the deeper water because it tends to be a bit warmer, and the salinity is more to their liking. What I mean by this is to look for signs of gamefish that may be present. text-align: center; Here we are a year later and speckled trout fishing is excellent. Sounds like a recipe for a lot of cold weather, cold water fishing fun to us. #gallery-1 { Anglers should feel for the lure or bait to snag on a shell, but if the shell starts a headshake, it’s a good strike from a speck. If you’re fishing lures, you may want to downsize the lures you’re fishing in cold weather. weight is a good choice, and the mono leader needs to be lighter- say 12 or 15 lb. The target species have been speckled trout, red drum, and stripers. When fishing the surf, you need to learn how to "READ THE WATER"! Many photos showed the thousands of cold stunned sea turtles being rescued by volunteers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens and TPWD biologists. We worked hard and were thankful for those couple nice trout. This means that anglers who are using braided line- a good idea to help detect the light speck bites- will need to use a five to six-foot monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to keep the trout from being spooked by the solid braided line. Your water levels are going to be 2-3 feet lower than normal. The water is cold but we have been still getting them! We are fishing two to three all day trips a week right now for em. There’s a chill in the air, water temps have dropped, and you’ll need to bundle up to go fishing? It’s not uncommon to catch limits of speckled trout in the two to five pound range. In cold weather, speckled trout will move into Gulf Coast marshes. CHRIS MARTIN. No one will claim speckled trout fishing in February on the Gulf Coast is the same as during spring and summer, but the specks are still capable of being caught. Other than the natural cycle of fish, the one thing that will deplete a local stock of speckled trout is a hard freeze while the fish are in shallow water. I'd go so far as to say that fishing with a cork is more of an introductory way to inshore fishing! Another point that Captain Yano makes is that the leader being used should be lighter than the main line. Captain Yano tells us, “They will eat anything they can. A 30-inch fish should weigh about … Since the trout will be very near the bottom, bait and lures must get down deep to reach the fish. When trolling, anglers need to be aware of any trash getting on the line. Jerry Gains caught these speckled trout out of Little Creek, VA, on a MIrrOlure MR52. Reports of trout stunned by the cold water or dead or dying often come right after a dramatic cold snap. test. In fact, fishing for specks in chilly weather can be quite productive. Captain Yano’s choice for a cold-water trout rig is simple. My best example of this is a personal story about learning to cast a bait caster reel one winter long ago. That doesn’t mean warm-loving species like speckled sea trout have to come off the target list. This is a recipe for lethal water temperatures for trout. margin-left: 0; It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the MirrOLure Mirrodine. } “Sometimes, we just twitch it. We just have to go about things a little differently. Galveston's Cold Water Trout by Robert Sloan: The Galveston Bay system is no slacker when it comes to producing winter time trout. Search Gulf Coast Fisherman's Web Site Past articles, specific places or fish, etc. In cold water conditions, the specks can’t afford to be picky. The VIMS researchers are finding that smaller speckled trout behave differently in cold weather than the larger speckled trout. If SAN ANTONIO BAY AREA. When asked how an angler needs to gear up for cold water trolling for specks, Captain Yano advises, “Put on lots of warm clothes. Winter conditions can vary from one extreme to the other; from a bright blue sky with little or no wind and gin clear water, to dark, dreary cold and cloudy weather with a howling wind that dirties up the waters. Photo by Floyd Chandler. The VIMS researchers are finding that smaller speckled trout behave differently in cold weather than the larger speckled trout. These cold “snaps” funnel a large population of speckled trout that are normally distributed over large bays systems into a limited number of deep water refuges and can create an opportunity for fast action. Both the fish and I were hooked. Captain Yano advises us, “I like trolling Fowl River. In short, trout are cold-blooded. Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. When it warms up, we fish shallow. This cold water on the bottom fishing guarantees anglers that they will get snagged from time to time and lures and hooks will be lost. Speckled trout spawn multiple times per year usually beginning in late April and the last spawn usually occurs in late September. Trout in the 9-plus range are career fish that come with bragging rights and command a wall spot. But if you don’t continuously move it, the jig will sink and only have the motion of the current to move it. Up in the rivers of the Gulf Coast, pine needles floating in the water are particularly common to snag on trolling lines, and they need to be removed immediately. Coldblooded as they are, they still gotta feed, maybe not everyday but when the bite window is open its nice to be in the right place at the right time! } Weight or jig heads no heavier than 3/8 oz. Fly rod anglers can catch specks on weighted, sinking flies. Metabolisms (thus feeding activity) do slow down as the water temperature falls away from the ideal. A very slow retrieve with short hops of the lure or bait on the bottom works best. Caught a lot of speckled trout. In the Chesapeake Bay region in Virginia, the Elizabeth River is probably the most popular spot for such fishing. Look for the fish to be holding near the bottom in fifteen to thirty feet of water. In large open water systems, speckled trout will gather around whatever structure is offered. Speckled trout are a warm water fish are the cold spells as we have experienced recently can lead to so called “cold stun” events or as I call them…troutsicles! The minimum length for speckled trout is 12″ (these usually weigh less than a pound) and the daily creel limit is 25 per person. Size matters, as they say, and in cold water fishing it’s the small bait that can get taken more often. “Anglers should feel for the lure or bait to snag on a shell, but if the shell starts a headshake, it’s a good strike from a speck.”. In particular, anglers can troll or cast lures- jigs with soft plastic bodies are best- and bounce the jig across the bottom. I use a small “j” hook for this cold weather fishing because it doesn’t hang up on the bottom as much as bigger hooks or treble hooks.”. I find them in Dog River, near the Causeway, up the Mobile River in the deep holes. Some very nice trout will come to February anglers who work deeper water slowly. https://www.liveoutdoors.com/fishing/166811-tips-for-cold-weather-trout He says,” I like a three-inch long finger mullet rigged on a Carolina rig. Cold water speckled trout fishing begs for patience and hardcore anglers! This non-specific feeding pattern is good news for anglers. Nearly 50 years have come and gone, but the magic from that day is branded deep within my heart. Winter can mean cold, snow, dismallness, laziness, etc. Trolling a small-diameter braided line in 20 lb. So I have had a decent pulse on the movements of the fish. When the fish are cold and schooled up like this, they’re really spooky. This can be great trout fishing water. They must take advantage of any possible food source that comes their way. There is no closed season. In particular, anglers can troll or cast lures- jigs with soft plastic bodies are best- and bounce the jig across the bottom. #gallery-1 .gallery-item { In the Theodore Industrial Canal, the deep water might be fifty feet deep. Almost all of the fish under 14 inches leave the rivers when the water gets dangerously cold, heading to the mouth of the Bay or the ocean, where temperatures are more stable. So, when you pop the popping cork, the jig jumps up. Perry obviously never fished Delacroix for speckled trout during February — when there really is no in-between. Deepwater varies from river to river, but that’s where the cold-water trout will be.”. /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */, Rock Solid Vessels- Our OBX Fishing Boats, Hot ditch fishing. Feel for the lure as it “hops” off the bottom and then settles- most speck strikes will come as the jig settles back down. Fishing later in the morning is a smarter bet. Anglers should feel for the lure or bait to snag on a shell, but if the shell starts a headshake, it’s a good strike from a speck.”, Best Speckled Trout Lures for Seasons Ahead, Fly Fishing for Beginners- Trout Fishing 101. float: left; Fishing in the winter months, if the fish are holding at four feet, set your popping cork to hold your jig at 3’10”. During the spring and summer, speckled trout and redfish tend to scatter out. If you don’t, the jig will sink. If you love eating fish then speckled trout is the fish for you! I look for ledges where the water depth moves from deep water to shallow. Popular with anglers looking for Speckled Trout fishing charters in Savannah Captain Andy Hornick grew up fishing in Florida with his father and grandfather, and was hooked right away. When fishing the creeks in water depths 5 foot or less and with water temps 52 or below, I often fish a 1/16-ounce jig head, typically rigging the head with either 3-inch shad tail or curl tail grubs. Besides, a good argument exists that there are far better ways to catch speckled trout and redfish than using a popping cork. And you need a good trolling motor with a hot battery.”. margin: auto; Speckled trout in Louisiana tend to be smaller, but far more numerous than anywhere else in the world. Photo by Floyd Chandler. This time of year can be a wonderful time to target those trophy class gators that anglers hear about. But fact of the matter is the popping cork is a mainstay in any inshore angler's tackle box. Here’s how we did it: Equipment To Use For Winter Speckled Trout. [dropcap]A[/dropcap] common question of late is, what color is the right color for catching Speckled trout in the Winter time? } The Dog River between the marinas often produces good cold water specks. Captain Kenny Shiyou of Goin’ South Fishing Charters fishes the Biloxi Marsh in the Nine Mile area. Cold water makes them lethargic. Heavy lines don’t sink as fast or stay deep as well as lighter lines. This can be great trout fishing water. The Rapala Skitter Prop is … But in the cooler months, your best bait may be live bait. And when we find them, we will usually find a lot of them. Fish behavior slows down so much in the winter, and the days get shorter. This will allow the water to warm up and encourage the Trout to be a bit more active. VERY COLD morning on the 24th when we did this fishing video. Tips: Best fishing will be two days after a cold front. “February is kind of like November in that way because the trout will move with the water temperature.” Water Temperature and what It Means For Trout Temperatures in the south exceeded 90 degrees this weekend with the night time lows remaining above 70 degrees. There’s a chill in the air, water temps have dropped, and you’ll need to bundle up to go fishing? Speckled trout and numerous other game fish use these guts to travel along the beach while feeding. To some people like myself, it means big appetites for big speckled trout. When the water is cold and you have a good looking lure, you can’t fish it too slowly. It’s much easier to tempt a cold-water speck that is eager for anything that is edible than a trout that is focused on one very specific size bait running in big, easy-to-find schools. Areas with depth changes are best because trout don’t have … These cold “snaps” funnel a large population of speckled trout that are normally distributed over large bays systems into a limited number of deep water refuges and can create an opportunity for fast action. The trick was being patient which is a big deal when fishing for cold water trout. Speckled trout require a minimum of 15ppt salinity to engage into spawning activities. In fact over the years as I have amassed reams of water temperature date, we have also documented such trout … But the larger fish do the opposite, and actually head up farther into the shallow parts of the … That doesn’t mean warm-loving species like speckled sea trout have to come off the target list. Fish won’t respond to fast action at this time of year. DOA Shrimp is one of my favorite trolling lures.”. The Bayou La Batre Channel is a very good cold water spot to find some big gator speckled trout. When the temperature of the wind and water fall, anglers must do their work in places and in ways that are not at all the same as earlier in the fishing year. This cold water fish, the Brook Trout or speckled trout, can be identified by vermiculite markings on its top, white and red spots on its side and its front lower white fin. After the frigid blast of cold air, numerous reports of dead redfish, speckled sea trout, snook, baby tarpon and baitfish began to surface on Internet forums and social media. “The secret to successfully fishing here in cold weather is to have a calm day, so we can cross the Mississippi Sound,” Shiyou said. The biology of speckled trout allows them to move in and out of salty, brackish and nearly pure fresh water. jighead with a soft plastic grub body. Outer banks fishing Oregon inlet fishing. #gallery-1 img { A very simple yet very effective set up for cold water trout is probably already in most Gulf Coast anglers’ arsenals. A way to locate and catch the cold-water specks of winter is to troll for them. The first chore for a cold water speckled trout angler to accomplish is to find the fish. They’re really slow in the cold water. According to Yano, the key to successful trolling for cold water specks is to have no heavy line on the trolling rigs. “Generally, a big trout full of eggs gains a pound per inch,” Singletary said. A big, speckled trout probably won’t chase down a fast bait in cold water, but it might slurp a temptation staring it in the face. Anglers need to think light line and small bait presentations. Reels need to have the drag set very light, and when using live bait with multiple rods out, it is sometimes a good idea to attach a small bell to the rod tips to help anglers detect very light trout bites. Reported by CAPT. When fishing deeper water like in the Theodore Industrial Canal, Captain Yano likes to anchor on one of the many 16-foot-deep ledges and then cast to the deep water. A big percentage of the specks being caught are undersize and must be released, but it’s good to see them. width: 33%; Cold water speckled trout fishing water in the 37-45 degree range, gotta fish slow. And the best areas to find them are in West, Trinity and East bays. As long as you have the right gear you stay warm and can have fun. border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; Anglers fishing for cold water trout must get used to very subtle bites- the specks won’t take the rod from your hand when it’s cold. by Floyd Chandler | Jan 22, 2019 | Fishing. One evening we fished into the dark to give up after our guides kept icing up every cast! As you saw in the video, these fish are schooled up and can’t resist what appears to be an easy meal that swims by their faces. A speckled trout that weighs over an honest four pounds is a great catch. This allows anglers to quickly and easily break off snagged lures and hooks with minimal re-rigging time. High season is January to April and August to December. “Sometimes, we do a steady retrieve, very slowly,” Singletary said. In Fowl River, a deep hole will be six feet deep. Low season is May to July. Water temperatures in a normal December, should be in the higher 50s. I believe I am not alone when it comes to the mystique of speckled trout fishing in the evanescent surf. You’ll want to be on the river when the trout are most active during these months, which means you’ll need to be on the water when the moon is either rising or setting. The minimum length for speckled trout is 12″ (these usually weigh less than a pound) and the daily creel limit is 25 per person. Anything which gets on the trolling line will kill the action and feel of any bites. “If it’s cold, we fish deep. Make sure you have three Thermos jugs of coffee. } Trout motors are revved to the max when water temperatures reach the about 60° F, give or take a degree or two for different species. Biologists tell us that specks begin to spawn in the spring once the water warms and continue to have batches of eggs into the fall. One of the best cold-water trout lures is the simplest- a ¼ oz. This is not a high-speed technique at all. It’s either using the wind, current, or a trolling motor to slowly drag lures and bait across the bottom of the rivers. A medium to light spinning or level wind rod and reel with light line is standard. The water in the Mobile Bay and other big water systems on the Gulf Coast is generally as clear as it ever gets during winter cold water conditions. This lure can look like anything in the water, and it always looks like something a trout might want to eat. #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { In large open water systems, speckled trout will gather around whatever structure is offered. These temperatures, in conjunction with low rainfall, can lead to rapidly rising water temperatures. Click this link to shop Amazon for Skitter Prop lures. If water temperatures are cooling, then the deeper water is warmer and speckled trout will seek it out; As water temperatures rise, the shallow water will warm faster and those same fish will move up; So clearly, good winter fishing areas for speckled trout need to be in places with shallow flats and deep channels close by; Any shells, reefs, oysters, or rocks will hold more fish; Right now we see 70+ … But in the meantime when most anglers talk heavy trout, what they're saying is that they are after specks in the four-pound-plus range. It’s not uncommon to catch limits of speckled trout in the two to five pound range. And this can vary. MirrOLure Mirrodine.