By CAM Special Correspondent Tobin Strickland
The cold that briefly visited us, seems all too distant as I write this. The forecast of the end of January looks more like the end of February. These warmer temperatures are going to require you to be on your toes in looking for fish this spring.
This warmer weather pattern could mean a quicker return of forage species from the Gulf and this influx will have the fish begin the move toward more traditional spring areas and habitat.The fish will move from typical winter forage areas to even shallower spring areas and they won’t necessarily be sticking to the mud either. There will be trout in mud and shell mix, mud and grass, and on sand. Their move to the sand is dictated more by the forage coming in from the gulf and the locations you will find it. The spring transition is tough because the water temps are such that it allows the fish to spread out anywhere they want to. Some will even move into marsh areas if the conditions are right.
Stick to your game plan, think about areas you caught fish in past springs and go looking for tiny baitfish such as glass minnows and juvenile menhaden about the size of a nickel. Finding little bait can mean big rewards this time of year. Suspending plugs will still get the starting line up with Mirrolure Paul Brown FatBoys, Mirrodines, and Softdines, along with Little Johns on light 1/16th heads.
Tobin created TroutSupport.com – The instructional Trout and Redfish DVDs, some say are the best available. TroutSupport – Tech Support for Speckled Trout & Redfish http://www.troutsupport.com