[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hanksgiving is behind us and cooler days and nights prevail. We had some epic trips in November and things should progress into December before the really cold months of January and February make fishing more difficult. With the colder air and water temperatures, the speckled trout will move into the deeper parts of the rivers that feed into Mobile Bay, Fowl River Bay, Grand Bay, Portersville Bay and others. When its colder the trout will hold up in the deeper holes of these rivers like Fowl River, Dog River, Little River and Bayou La Batre. The deeper holes are often found where the river makes a hard bend; Fish a carolina rig or slip cork rig deep and on the ledges around these holes with a live shrimp or imitation shrimp if you can get them, if not use a VuDu shrimp; I have found that the new VuDu shrimp are one of, if not the best, soft plastic shrimp imitation baits ever made. I love the natural, cajun pepper, gold and brown shrimp varieties.
For redfish try the same tactic, although you can use a dead shrimp too fished on the bottom, or smaller finger mullet, mud minnows or bull minnows. If you are fishing a dead shrimp on the bottom, don’t let it just sit on the bottom, bounce or pull it along the bottom ever so slowly, dont rush or hurry the presentation. The fish are sluggish right now and expect the baits to be slow as well. You need a slooooow presentation. Don’t be afraid to try a live or VuDu shrimp under a popping cork either in the shallower waters. On the warmer days ahead of a cold or warm front (if we get lucky!) fish the flats in these rivers around the holes. The fish will move into the shallow water as the day heats up. The mud bottom and oyster shell bottoms heat up quicker than some other areas.
You have to have some tidal movement in these rivers. When it’s slack tide you seldom have any action. Often, just as soon as the tide starts to move either way, in or out, the fish will begin to feed. Watch your water in these shallow rivers, you may get in an area when the tide seems high but a north wind and a falling tide may strand you on a mud flat. Be alert and careful, always pay attention to the conditions, they can change quickly this time of year.
We are still fishing and booking trips through these cooler months, call us, Lets go fishing!
Until next time, tight lines and good fishing!
Capt. Charlie Gray
Gray Gulf Charters
Dauphin Island, Alabama
251.379.5067
www.Graygulfcharters.com