| Speckled Trout fishing on the Texas Gulf Coast can | | | | use a colorful bait such as reds and amber. In slightly |
| be a fun and rewarding experience, but only if you | | | | off color water, sandy green or ice tea, Limetreuse |
| actually catch fish. Here are a few helpful hints about | | | | and pearl work well. In dirty or stained water throw |
| different baits and how and when to use them. | | | | dark colors such as morning glory (black with metal |
| We use a variety of different soft bodied baits when | | | | flake) and red shad (dark red and black mix). Of |
| fishing for Speckled Trout, Shrimp tails, shad tails, eels, | | | | course their are many variations of these baits as well |
| etc. Different situations call for different tactics. It takes | | | | and many baits have a Chartreuse or Fire tail to |
| a few tries to find out what works best under certain | | | | accent the color and action. |
| conditions. Factors include water color, water clarity, | | | | To work these baits properly, I would suggest a 6' 5" |
| wind direction and wind speed. | | | | light action rod with a reel suitable for 150 yds of 12 |
| The number one lure by far is the soft plastic. It | | | | pound line. Tie a 12" leader of 20 lb line to a #12 barrel |
| consists of a lead jig head and a soft rubber body that | | | | swivel to prevent line twist. Connect your jig head with |
| can mimic shad, shrimp, minnow, or sand eel. The jig | | | | a loop knot to allow more action. Cast your line out |
| head itself has many different styles and several | | | | and retrieve it back by bumping the lure 1-3 times along |
| weights ranging from 1/16 oz to as much as 1/2 oz. | | | | the bottom and reeling in the slack. Be sure to keep |
| The size of the jig head used is usually determined by | | | | tension on the lure as you reach the top of your |
| the depth of the water as well as current flow. As for | | | | retrieve as many times the fish will strike as the lure is |
| the body, it is usually up to the angler as to what | | | | falling. Vary your retrieve style and speed until you can |
| specific style to throw. However, as the oldtimers say, | | | | find what works best. |
| it is better if you can "match the hatch". If you know | | | | Use these different approaches to find and catch |
| what the fish are feeding on, that's what you want to | | | | more fish and don't forget to try different techniques |
| throw. | | | | and change your retrieve style until you find what |
| Color is definitely the key factor. You will need about 6 | | | | works the best for you that day. And remember most |
| different color patterns to suit the various water | | | | of all, be safe, and as always, "Go Fish"! |
| conditions. If you are fishing clear waters, blue or green, | | | | |