Tobin Strickland
There was a certain chill in air as we rode across the bay. The dark clouds didn’t really help the warmth factor either. The Desperado 22 (desperadoboats.com) cut across the chop seemingly floating above it all. The wind was pumping hard out of the south ahead of an approaching early season cold front. We knew the fish were going to be there; in fact they’d been there all summer. Only some of the big trout wander off when it gets hot in the summer. Others stay, growing accustomed to the shelter and rich food supply.
While we can catch big trout all year in certain areas, there is something magical about fishing for them between late October and mid April. Perhaps it is metaphorically similar to the ‘Old Man and the Sea’ tale with the cooler months’ darkness and howling winds churning waters that challenge captains and anglers alike. I wait all year for the weather to worsen just so we can don our Simms waders and jackets and get in the water to wade shallow grass and oysters with mud of varying thickness, hunting that one elusive strike from a big speckled trout.
Note: You do not need to be in mud up to your knees, actually a thin veneer of mud only 2 to 3 inches thick will do the job. This does not rule out areas with mud up to your thighs though, those are still applicable (grin).
As we rounded the corner, the Desperado came off plane and pulled back to an idle. We were still 70 to 80 yards from where we had planned to park the boat. We would use the trolling motor from this point in. Since we wait all season for a shot at one of these fish, we just figured we’d do it right. Take your time and ease into place. Plan your trip down to where you are going to shut off the outboard, and where you plan to anchor the boat. You can’t just go there and idle in anywhere, bang lids and anchor chains around, jump out of the boat, and expect to maximize your chances at catching a big trout.
Capt. Brent Juarez, out of Galveston, Tex., has learned from fishing the Galveston and Trinity Bay area his whole life and has spent several years in different trout and redfish tournament series. He knows that when it comes to catching a big trout, it’s likely to come on a big bait. Brent will be throwing Super Spooks and Mirrolure Brown Original Fatboys most of the time, even on the coldest days of the year. Another option would be the Heddon OneKnocker.
Cold weather, cold water, big baits and big trout, what could be better?
Tobin created TroutSupport.com – Tech Support for Speckled Trout and Redfish. Their Trout and Redfish DVD’s receive numerous testimonials from Brownsville to Virginia.
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