Depending on how cold it gets the bite can last throughout the winter. Reviews of Fishing in Speckled Trout Fishing in Virginia. to after midnight. Then keep the rod tip low and use a short, sharp, twitching retrieve. If you're going to try some lures, try these: Johnson spoons, Zara Spooks, bucktail jigs, and Mirro Lures. On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, small bayside creeks from the state line south to Cape Charles are also known for their speckled trout fisheries. I show you how to speckled trout fish and what type of lure and test line im am using. Speckled trout and other predators are tearing through bait fish, and the birds are picking up the scraps. Speckled trout fishing requires knowledge. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; The best time of day for catching Speckled Trout is in the early morning before sunrise and up to a few hours after sunrise. The Elizabeth River in Virginia is where a lot of the speckled trout go for the winter, but come spring time is where they start to move out into the spring/summer areas. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length provided however, the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length. 850-585-7173. captlw@destinfishing-icx.com . The reality is that the best tide to catch speckled trout is not happening only during those times. Understanding how a speckled trout reacts is not enough. Captain Yano Serra. Full Moon = Big Bites. Destination, charter, or captain name: Destination or Operator Name: Trip Date: Group Size: - + - + Top Virginia Speckled Trout Fishing … “Designated Stocked Trout Waters” are stocked from October through May with catchable-sized trout. At times, this can be a great area for puppy drum as well. Annapolis, MD 21403 At the edges of grass beds and in patchy grass I love to throw BKDs or paddle tails on a quarter to three-eighths ounce jig head. Darker green in coves is typically grass, while darker green near shorelines outside coves can be deeper water or grass. They are best known for their beautiful spotted silvery sides, purplish hue, and the drumming or purring noise the males make during spawning season shortly before sunset. 410.216.9309 The spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout or simply called specks by some, is one of the most popular fish pursued while Chesapeake Bay fishing. Reviews of Fishing in Speckled Trout Fishing in Virginia . Hunting for and catching specks is a blast – ID a good area, start casting, give your lure that erratic retrieve, and IT will happen! Always be alert to any little irregularities on the surface in front of your boat. In patchy grass specks love to lay in the edge of beds and attack prey as it passes through the clear spots. This … Bottom line is, be very careful and don’t run at speed anywhere in shallow water you don’t know well. Whatever is practically moving all day long and – if you use what's in the rest of this blog post – you will be able to consistently locate that moving water. One note of caution: If you’re new to an area be careful in exploring new shallow water areas. Historically I’ve had great luck with plastics, both paddle tails and straight tails do the trick. Virginia’s trout season is open year-round and the general statewide limits are 6 trout per day, no fish less than 7 inches. If you know an area with grass beds and or the type of structures listed above it’s a good thing, go get ‘em. It’s all good! Notice the points, guts, and creeks. If this coincides with dusk, the fishing is more likely to be good. If you have a person or tackle shop who will give you direct pointed information about where to catch, that’s great. The baits I use to catch specks are Bass Kandy Delights (BKD ’s), assorted three- to five-inch Current rips around points are a beautiful thing, and lofting plastics over the current rip and retrieving back to the boat or shore – again, erratically – produces very well. A. Maybe…focus on rockfish next fall.” But, Dr. McGrath points out, all hope is not lost for future speckled trout fishing. At water depths greater than 5 feet, we can catch speckled trout at surface temperatures as low as 44 degrees. The full moon tends to amplify fish activity, big time. In Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds, shallow water grass beds often attract speckled trout. The “problem” we have targeting big trout on the barrier islands off the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in the Louisiana Marsh is the small trout. Tides are sometimes important for catching speckled trout. Where To Catch Speckled Trout in Virginia Specks are inshore fish. Zooming in on Google Earth can sometimes reveal these underwater fish magnets. I like to make a long cast to my target zone, and click the bail as the lure hits the water allowing for no slack line. Virginia . Another great thing I’d like to mention about speck fishing in Maryland and Virginia is that while fishing for specks you’ll catch other species like reds or stripers if they’re in the area. Popular with anglers looking for Speckled Trout fishing charters in Virginia Beach You will go out aboard a 30’ SeaHunt Gamefish center console named SusanC. Speckled trout fishing has been pretty good this year, and the same friend in Gloucester has sent me photos of some very nice fish. In the local store, you will realize that there are many products specific for trout fishing. Also known as spotted seatrout or simply “specks”, these beautiful fish have a sleek body, silvery gray back and white belly. Working these baits in an erratic fashion is crucial to drawing a strike. The flanks and backs of the fish have an iridescent sheen and black spots. Google Earth is the number-one asset to me when fishing new water. Might be a good time to give speckled trout fishing … High season is September to October. Moreover, the techniques employed to catch this fish would vary in agreement with the kinds of anglers. Speckled trout and other predators are tearing through bait fish, and the birds are picking up the scraps. They could be a rockpile, a wreck, a shallow sand bar, an oyster bed, or an old tractor. With miles of shoreline, marshes, and shell beds, this is a breeding ground for lots of fish. Waders catch speckled trout either from the boats, piers or shores. Speckled Trout fishing in Virginia varies moderately throughout the year. Certainly great table fare when eaten fresh, they’re a challenge for all who seek out this beautiful game fish. Fish are sometimes caught in deep water along a channel edge, but most bait fishing for specks occurs around grass beds in 2-4 feet of water. At night, the pressure calms down and so do the fish. Often, catches are accidental but some anglers target gray and speckled trout with wire line. Number one, check out a chart of the region and look for bays where water depths are two to seven foot or so. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script', This is all live fishing from the boat and catching or limit. 251-610-0462. captainyano@hotmail.com . See the Trout Stocking Plan for the streams and lakes stocked and their stocking schedule. Finally, I highly recommend fishing for speckled trout in … I really like grass beds with four feet or more of water but certainly less can produce as well. Shallow water fishing for speckled trout is done in a number of areas throughout the middle and lower Chesapeake bay. Fly fishermen also target these areas, fishing a variety of flies that mimic bay local baits such as bay anchovies, mullet, spot, shrimp, or blue crabs. In years past I’ve caught them at the first and second islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) in 20 feet of water, but that would be the farthest from shore you’re ever likely to find them in our area. You also need to learn the preparations you need and the equipment you need to use. art, fish pictures, photography, speckled trout. This vessel is fast and equipped with GPS and fishfinder, used to find all kinds of fish no matter which fishing technique you use. Speckled Trout Fishing in Virginia, VA The best out of 10 charter fishing deals in Virginia - enter dates to check availability . Low season is January to July and November to December. Otherwise, a good chart and Google Earth will lead the way. Speckled trout are very “sensative” to boat traffic and fishing pressure. Although some anglers will harvest their fish, many will choose to release them. These tips will … Continued. For many years I’ve been hunting down the beautiful “speck,” sea trout, speckled sea trout, or spotted sea trout, and they’re all the same critter. Many Chesapeake Bay anglers prefer fishing the last 2 hours of the incoming current and the first 2 hours of the outgoing. Based on 19,941 reviews by FishingBooker anglers . Take a keen look, ask the shop owner to guide you in picking up the equipment that will best suit your purpose. Shallow water fishing for speckled trout using artificial lures is popular in Virginia. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; This fishing is often best during the low light hours of early morning and again around sunset. And water over 80-degrees has inspired specks to hit the surface. Shallow to me is two to seven feet or so, but can vary depending on where you are targeting these fish. Maryland and Virginia waters get super warm in the heat of summer, but specks love hot water – don’t let heat scare you away. Shallow water fishing can be very exciting as speckled trout, gray trout, croaker, striped bass, bluefish, black drum, red drum, and other species share the same areas. In this regard, if you want to catch a speckled sea trout you will have to fish near the shores and along outer bays. I’ve had great luck catching specks in grass beds, current rips, rockpiles, around islands, and around shallow wrecks. However, if you’re new to an area some research has to be done. I have also seen photos of some big specks from North Carolina, and my son Ric has caught some from the surf in Virginia Beach. © 2021 Rudow's FishTalk LLC, How to Catch Speckled Trout in the Shallows. The baits I use to catch specks are Bass Kandy Delights (BKD’s), assorted three- to five-inch paddle tails, GULP twitch baits and paddle tails, Rapala X-Rap 10s, and surface plugs like a Storm Chug Bug. Dr. McGrath acknowledges the impact, saying, “The fall of 2018 is probably going to be a good year to take off from speckled trout fishing. Shallow water fishing for speckled trout using artificial lures is popular in Virginia. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) Captain L.W. Trout management in Virginia consists of three basic programs. Shallow bays, coves, wrecks, rockpiles and grass beds are great places to hunt. This is especially true for … You can also catch spotted trout from around 10 pm. caught off Virginia Beach in 1981 by John Thurston Sheeps-head Fiddler crabs, mole crabs (sand fleas), clams Fishing bait near the bottom (suspended off the bottom) near submerged structures Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; wrecks in nearshore coastal waters and lower Chesapeake Bay May — October 3 – 8 pounds 20 pounds, 12 ounces They really do like the hours when light is at a minimum for feeding. The Catchable Trout Stocking Program is the best known and most popular. This region includes several small islands where speckled trout are found, such as Smith, Tangier, Watts, Fox, Parkers Islands, and others. Make sure you’ve got winter speckled trout lures, lots of hot coffee, and remember, sometimes the specks will bite best in mid-day,” Yano concluded. The next thing is to go to Google Earth. [email protected] Important Contact Information . Tributaries coming out into a bay or off an island are a great thing, along with points sticking out into the water. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and other structures provide areas where trolling can be productive for trout, especially if targeting large speckled trout or gray trout (seatrout). Get into position, and cast right into the fray. Virginia Speckled Trout Fishing Charters . Further south, several rivers and creeks along the lower bay feature habitat that speckled trout prefer, including eel grass beds, shallow oyster bars, and other fish attracting structure. This is because water flows differently through each uniquely shaped body of water in the marsh. If the grass bed comes to the surface it can be tough. November 14, 2018 light tackle fishing in Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach, VA casting for speckled trout. Get into position, and cast right into the fray. Speckled sea trout are predator fish who love to eat crabs and assorted baitfish which live in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Use just enough speed necessary to keep the bait just above the grass bed. Tides are sometimes important for catching speckled trout. There are a number of exceptions found below for certain areas and waters (i.e., heritage, urban, special area, special regulation, and fee fishing waters), so please study the sections following for fishing times, dates, and limits. {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Here’s a good example of what to look for in a Google Earth shot of an area specks could certainly be at. Popular lures include a plain white bucktail with a plastic worm and a piece of peeler crab. In addition to peeler and soft crab baits, squid, bloodworms, cut spot, live spot, and even chicken breast soaked in peeler crab oil are sometimes used. The speckled trout is one of the most popular saltwater fish of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal estuaries of Virginia. September thru October is a prime time for catching speckled trout in Virginia. Virginia Beach Fishing - VBSF.net - Speckled trout fishing has been good, Lynnhaven Inlet has been especially good. A time I really like to fish for specks is around and on a full moon. 4.41 . Work entire current rips from the upstream end to past the downstream end of the rip, and remember that the best current rips tend to come out of coves from shallow water ripping past a point and over a drop-off. To help you to know how to catch speckled trout successfully, we have brought a list of useful tips and techniques for you. Both Maryland and Virginia have perfect speckled trout habitat. If you're going to try some lures, try these: Johnson spoons, Zara Spooks, bucktail jigs, and Mirro Lures. 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '2045670448804120'); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; Speckled trout are sometimes caught while trolling with wire line. You might hook a trophy trout on one cast, and then on the next cast, a 6-inch speck nails the same lure or live bait. It’s best to do it on the top half of the tide and calm water. The dorsal and tail fin are also spotted. Speckled trout are caught locally using a variety of methods including fishing with live bait, cut bait, and casting artificial lures or by trolling. “My best advice on how to catch speckled trout in the winter? fbq('track', 'PageView'); There’s nothing like catching skinny water speckled sea trout in Maryland and Virginia waters, some of the most exciting light-tackle action around when it comes to Chesapeake Bay fishing. Lynnhaven Inlet – There is a whole tribe of speckled trout anglers who never leave Lynnhaven Inlet. Finally, I highly recommend fishing for speckled trout in … An erratically retrieved Rapala X-rap 10, a BKD in pink, chartreuse or white, a three- to four-inch paddle tail, or surface plug can produce in this situation. Speckled trout are caught locally using a variety of methods including fishing with live bait, cut bait, and casting artificial lures or by trolling. Hope you enjoyed todays video it was extremely winy and very ruff but I still had a great time make sure to subscribe Burroughs. Anglers also fish by casting bucktails to structure such as rockpiles, jetties, and shipwrecks. During this period, crabs are on the shed and in a very vulnerable state. Another component I look for when speck fishing is current. In this case a plastic paddle tail, BKD or Gulp on a weedless jig head can work. Anglers cast small jigs, soft plastics and other lures around the edges of grass beds, stumps, points, rips, and other likely areas. Bottom line; irrespective of whether you have the best speckled trout lures, you will catch nothing if you are fishing in the wrong areas. There is no closed season. Many shorelines and island areas also have old stumps in the water. They are found in estuaries, bays, sounds, canals and inlets. I usually target a different fish after the specks stop biting in the morning. 612 Third Street, Suite 3C Other popular jigs for casting to structure include soft plastic lures in a variety of shapes and colors. In 5 feet of water or shallower, we will catch Sea Trout starting at about 47.5 degrees, getting better at 50 degrees. They are a migrating species, moving from shallow to deep waters as the temperatures warm up. Before releasing a speckled trout most fishermen take a quick photograph. In my world of light tackle fishing, current plus structure equals fish; stumps are beautiful structure and moving current through them make for success. Places like this will focus the current. In some areas, speckled trout can be caught by anchoring and bottom fishing with cut peeler crab or soft crab baits. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; So where are they, how do I find them, what are they eating, and what’s the technique to catch them? Also, the area you are fishing will influence the size of the speckled trout you catch. Where to Fish for Speckled Trout Anglers from Texas to Virginia have the opportunity to catch speckled trout twelve months of the year.