In winter, a twitch bait can often be the best lure to use on the bluebird days after a cold front. The waters of the Mobile Bay system have been my home fishing ground for a long time, and of all the many varieties of fishing I’ve done there. Simply idling along with the bait out 100 feet behind the boat will produce speckled trout and other species. Remember, these bridges pose unique challenges to inshore anglers, not found elsewhere. Seeking warm water, or at least the warmest they can find, will be the fishes key to getting through the cold spell. Another very effective winter cadence is a very slow wind of the reel with a short and sharp twitch of the rod every four to six seconds. There is a wide range of twitch bait lures for big speckled trout, and both hard-body and soft-plastic twitch baits have proven to be quite effective for big gator trout. This is a suspending bait. When a big speckled trout takes a topwater lure, there’s usually no doubt about it. January 20, 2010 . Spotted sea trout, also known as speckled trout, are a very popular inshore saltwater species. This fly consists of a hook, weighted eyes, and some type of dressing. Spoons are used to cover the entire water column. They are widely distributed, being in coastal waters from Texas to the mid Atlantic. This is a simple yet extremely effective artificial bait for a wide variety of species. After our record consecutive days of cold, trout are attempting to survive by doing the only thing they can, and that’s to seek warm water. It’s an outstanding lure for... #2 Rapala Skitter Walk. Once fish are located, anglers can work the area more thoroughly. Like other Gulp products, it has the advantage of being scented. With all of that being said, if you held me at gunpoint and forced me to narrow that choice down, then the bone and silver Super Spook Jr. will provide the most action and will certainly catch big trout. However Capt. So rigged the speckled trout lure has a natural erratic jerky motion with the slightest twitch of the rod tip. This bait floats at rest then dives down to to 3 feet upon retrieve. “It really shines at these times as it allows the angler to successfully pursue big speckled trout on the grass flats and hard bottom shorelines. This was my second trip to the most famous big trout destination along the Texas coast. Rebel Lures Crickhopper Lure 10 Best Lures for Catching Speckled Trouts and Redfish. Number three on Capt. “Fishing Lido Key is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. One quarter ounce is a good all-around size. If anglers fished the treble-hook jerk baits too fast, big speckled trout would not strike. I have found that twitch baits can often be most effective during times when the fish are not heavily feeding. When trying to figure out the best cadence for a particular day, it is very important to be able to make long casts and stick with a particular cadence for five casts. Best Lures for Speckled Trout This page will highlight some of the best lures for speckled trout fishing. However, it is also similar in profile to pin fish, grunts, threadfin herring, and other bait fish. Before we get started on the top 10 lures for speckled trout or redfish, we want to remind you to use our table of contents to navigate the page. Sarasota Fishing Charters | 941-371-1390, Click here to shop Amazon for Bass Assassin Sea Shad baits, Click here to shop Amazon for 3″ Gulp Shrimp, Click here to shop Amazon for #8 Rapala X-Raps, Click here to shop Amazon for Sprite spoons, Click here to shop Amazon for MirrOlure 52 series plugs, Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Gulp Jerk Shad lures, Click here to shop Amazon for Rapala Skitter Prop lures, Click here to shop Amazon for Clouser Minnow flies. The Gulp Shrimp is rigged on a 1/8 ounce jig head 2 feet to 3 feet under the float. Most strikes will occur as the bait pauses and sits there motionless. Fishing is a cyclical process and those who are consistently successful understand that process. This causes the lure to look like it’s zigging and zagging. However, my all-time favorite months for catching big speckled trout on topwater lures … When the bait reaches the desired depth, it is worked with a twitch and pause retrieve. Jim’s list of top speckled, Capt. Jim prefers the 19 color pattern. The shad style tail gives it an excellent swimming action and good vibration. I’m not talking about trolling inshore waters for speckled trout! These beautiful, tasty fish are hard fighters who are willing to hit both live and artificial baits. Although most speckled trout lures tend to be in the 3- to 4-inch range, don't be afraid to fish much larger live baits to catch the biggest speckled trout around. The lure works well for rainbow trout fishes. Glow/chartreuse, New Penny, and Red/Gold Shiner are his favorite colors.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishinglidokey_com-box-4-0')}; The Gulp line of baits have revolutionized fishing with soft plastic lures. Best 12 Spotted Sea Trout Fishing Lures. The last bait on Capt. He primarily uses the 4 inch size. There are many different styles of topwater baits. It is very productive in warm water conditions in the coastal estuaries in the central and western Gulf, especially in shallow flats near Dauphin Island, Cat Island, and the Chandeleur Islands.”. From big to small trout, all sizes fall prey to a lure drifted through the strike zone. Great lure and great article breaking down these lures for big speckled trout. These include sardines, finger mullet, pin fish and grunts, and glass minnows. Speckled trout are not very good fighters, so you don’t need much line on your spool for them. These big old gator trout didn’t get big by being dumb. Jim prefers the 19 color pattern. There is no doubt that the number one speckled trout fishing lure is the jig and grub combo. Reply. The MirrOlure Mirrodine is a very simple looking lure. It is almost always fished on a jig head, similar to other soft plastic baits. Capt. These baits are available in many different color patterns. The list of top speckled trout fishing lures would not be complete without a surface plug. Brock’s favorites: Topwater lures Smaller topwaters, like the Skitterwalk or Super Spook Jr. , are great for catching trout of all sizes, but if you really want to target the bigger trout, you might want to go with a bigger topwater, like the full-size Super Spook or a One Knocker. can be easily rigged weedless to help limit casts wasted because of grass grabbing the lure. Speckled Trout Lures. One of my go to baits for Fall trout fishing on the Nature Coast is the MirrOlure Provoker. One of the most popular lures and/or setups for speckled trout is the popping cork with an imitation shrimp lure. Lures are another popular option when fishing for speckled trout. Your email address will not be published. Mirrolures catch snook, redfish, speckled trout, tarpon, jack crevalle, blue fish, sharks and just about anything else that swims in the ocean. This makes them easier to use for novice anglers, which is important for a, In conclusion, this post on the top 9 speckled. Some scholar in an earlier time once said that we’re creatures of habit – I tend to agree. “It really shines at these times as it allows the angler to successfully pursue big speckled trout on the grass flats and hard bottom shorelines. “The SLICK Lure was developed to successfully fish bottom habitat with a large profile lure with a slow sink rate. This post will list the Capt. The often overlooked yellow head with a solid black body can produce big trout. Jim’s list of favorite speckled trout fishing lures is actually a fly: the Clouser  Deep Minnow. However, typical slow-sinking jerk baits with hanging treble hooks would hook the bottom. The new Trout Thumpers just might help you land your personal best speckled trout. Mullet patterns with a blue back, white belly and silver sides can be very good for big trout. I still recommend 150 to 200+ yards when going for speckled trout because you will catch fish that are better fighters than speckled trout. Trolling works for Louisiana speckled trout. Having the correct tackle isn’t enough to catch speckled trout at Lake Pontchartrain’s bridges. CNC machines replaced Buck knives and balsa wood, and as a result, offer anglers, regardless of fishery, a myriad of options. . The vibration and action of the tail simulate a wounded bait fish, shrimp, or crab. Comments. Speckled trout usually strike as the lure is falling. These big old gator trout didn’t get big by being dumb. This lure kit contains 18 separate hollow body top water frog lures, which are great for getting speckled trout. Jim prefers the Rapala Skitter prop for a couple of reasons. Spinner Fishing for Trout – a Complete Guide, Best 6 Topwater Plugs for Saltwater Fishing. It is most effective when used in water 6 feet deep or shallower. It is a fairly easy lure for even novice anglers to use to catch fish. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”. It is a fairly easy lure for even novice anglers to use to catch fish. Some twitch baits suspend and give the big speckled trout an opportunity to attack a nearly stationary bait which looks like an easy meal. Jim prefers gold for speckled trout fishing. But I’ve found a couple of fishing lures that pay off for me and my clients when it comes to catching the biggest speckled trout. It consists of a lead head jig with some type of soft plastic grub body. With a bait such as the Skitter prop, it is important to let it set few moments between twitches. Also, it is very important to wait until the weight of the fish is felt before setting the hook. Finally, they are very easy lures for novice and inexperienced anglers to use. I usually use them with a popping cork at night. With all of that being said, if you held me at gunpoint and forced me to narrow that choice down, then the bone and silver. Big trophy specks are not easy to find, and they are not easy to fool into biting. , a soft-plastic twitch bait was designed. Understandably, many anglers get excited when they see a fish blowup on the plug and jerk it out of the mouth of the fish. I think the most important thing you can do to catch larger speckled trout on any topwater lure is being able to cast as far as you can possibly and cast and cover as much water as possible. To meet the feeding habits of big speckled trout in classic Gulf Coast fishing conditions, the. Anglers can then swim the lure slowly through fairly shallow grass. Top 9 Speckled Trout Fishing Lures. The Trout Are Seeking Warm Water, Fish Accordingly! This cadence is often best when the fish are in a more suspended state and not reacting to long pauses. We'll let you decide where he got his business' name from. The 5 inch Gulp Jerk Shad is next on the list of Capt. Big trophy specks are not easy to find, and they are not easy to fool into biting. There are many fine top water plugs available. The second cadence I use is a constant twitch, twitch, twitch with no pause. Jim’s favorite soft plastic bait is the Bass Assassin Sea Shad. One very effective way to fish the Gulp Shrimp is to rig it under a noisy popping cork. This pattern has a green back and gold sides. There are times when speckled trout want a larger soft plastic bait, and this one fills the bill. These baits are available in many different color patterns. Mullet patterns with a blue back, white belly and silver sides can be very good for big trout. They have excellent flash and vibration as well. The strike can come at any time in the cadence, but the big speckled trout often blow up on the lure when it is being paused. Capt. It's a hearty 5" soft plastic bait that is scented. The gold Johnson Sprite spoon is number five on Capt. There are several artificial baits used to target speckled trout in the bays of the Texas Coastal Bend. Required fields are marked *, ©2018 Sarasota Fishing Charters | Captain Jim Klopfer | 941-371-1390 | Websites By: 22nd Century Web Services | Web Hosting By: Web Planet Hosting, This post will list the Capt. He primarily uses the 4 inch size. Most imitate either a bait fish or a crustacean. There are a couple reasons why a popping cork is such an effective tool when targeting Speckled Trout. Most people don’t troll inshore, but it’s actually a really fun (and effective) way to fish. My home waters from late April through October are filled with floating grass, so it’s impossible to use treble hook lures,” Landreneau pointed out. This bait has a propeller on the rear. In this episode of Lure Vs Lure, Storm Plastics and MirrOlures are put to the test! That means that after being cast out it will slowly sink down in the water column. These floats are very popular in areas where the water is a little bit murkier. “A distinct pattern developed where baitfish holding over hard bottom produced oversized speckled trout. Best Artificial Lures For Speckled Trout – My Personal Favorites January 20, 2021 Speckled trout (or specs or sea trout) are an abundant game fish found along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico from the southern tip of Texas over to Florida and up the Atlantic coast to Virginia. 5. All twitch baits are sub-surface, sinking lures, and it is up to the angler to provide the motion and movement which fools the big trout. The many acres of flats with hard bottom and rock grass are the places to target big trout. Speckled trout, or spotted sea trout, are arguably the most popular inshore saltwater game fish species. I believe that topwater lures can catch big speckled trout twelve months of the year around Mobile Bay. The primary difference is that it comes with one treble hook as opposed to a single hook with a weed guard. Capt. Then switch through all of your cadences for five casts each before considering changing lure styles, colors or patterns. The best lures for sea trout are not set in stone, but anglers can at least start by adding these dependable sea trout lures to their arsenal. This lure stands out very well against dark grassy bottom. I like a “twitch, twitch- long pause, twitch, twitch- long pause” cadence. Wade box - A Lure Selection Year in Review 10 September 2017 on Speckled Truth, trophy trout, speckled trout, wadefishing, softplastics, lures, fishing, corky, swimbaits. The list of top speckled trout fishing lures would not be complete without a surface plug. Its shiny outside is designed to flicker as the lure moves back and forth and then can also stand motionless in the water. TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass Trout Segmented Multi Jointed Swimbaits Slow Sinking Swimming Lures Freshwater Saltwater Bass Fishing Lures Kit Lifelike 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,781 $17.98 $ 17 . I think twitch baits are effective on big speckled trout because most of the time, a larger speckled trout is on the hunt for an easy meal and is not looking to chase down a fast-swimming, healthy baitfish. Speckled trout, or, Anglers can purchase Capt Jim’s E-book, “. Speckled Trout Speckled trout or specks (technically, Spotted seatrout) are a favorite catch of saltwater anglers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Speckled trout are an aggressive fish that will readily hit artificial lures. I have four preferred topwater lures:  the Rapala Skitterwalk, the Bomber Badonkadonk High Pitch, the Heddon Super Spook, and Super Spook Jr and the Mirrolure Topdawg. Capt. He also co-hosts the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report Podcast. These things are hollow and very lightweight, so they won’t ever sink to the bottom. Jim Klopfer’s top 9 speckled trout fishing lures. These corks make a lot of noise and rattle when twitched sharply. If you are reading this for the first […] The lure bodies are actually made from the scented material as opposed to the said just being added. There are few things more exciting than a big fish blowing up a topwater bait! To meet the feeding habits of big speckled trout in classic Gulf Coast fishing conditions, the SLICK Lure, a soft-plastic twitch bait was designed. Speckled trout are known for their affinity to attack a top water bait. This makes them easier to use for novice anglers, which is important for a fishing charter boat captain. Skinning the hook when rigged with the weighted hook to fish deeper hard bottom ledges and shell bottom greatly reduces bottom-hooking structure.”. According to Landreneau the SLICK Lure is designed to be rigged with an extra-wide gap (EWG) hook, preferably Owner Beast 4/0 hook, either unweighted or weighted depending on the desired sink rate and water depth. In reality, it is just a version of a buck tail jig. If the water is very stained, anglers can switch to the CH or chartreuse color pattern which will stand out better in the dirty water. It is an excellent combination for. From jerkbaits to buzzbaits all of these will likely catch the odd fish or two. “The, was developed to successfully fish bottom habitat with a large profile lure with a slow sink rate. Speckled trout, or spotted sea trout, are arguably the most popular inshore saltwater game fish species.They are widely distributed, being in … will provide the most action and will certainly catch big trout. Twitch baits are often used in a more finesse situation. You can buy it here. However, the Gulp baits are different. “The SLICK Lure can be fished weedless by ‘skinning’ the hook barb in the back of the lure when floating grass eliminates the use of treble-hook lures. Glow/chartreuse, New Penny, and Red/Gold Shiner are his favorite colors. Jim Klopfer’s top 9 speckled trout fishing lures. The lure is allowed to sink a few seconds then worked back in with a hard twitch and a significant pause in between. My favorite brand of fishing for both me and my clients is the pursuit of really big speckled trout. If anglers fished the treble-hook jerk baits too fast, big speckled trout would not strike. Capt. Lure technology has also improved a lot over the past two decades. In this article, I go over the best lures for jigging speckled trout. If the water is really hot, then I work the bait steadily and fairly quickly. My favorite cadence is a twitch, twitch, twitch, twitch- pause, and then twitch, twitch, twitch, twitch -pause. This makes it an excellent choice when speckled trout are feeding on bait fish in fairly shallow water. Jim prefers the Rapala Skitter prop for a couple of reasons. An important tip- allow the fish to hold the lure for a second on the strike and then set the hook with a sweeping side-angle hook set,” Landreneau said. This bait is fairly easy to use. The waters of the Mobile Bay system have been my home fishing ground for a long time, and of all the many varieties of fishing I’ve done there. This is very convenient and allows anglers to adapt to ever-changing fishing conditions. I had learned my lesson the past year, and was testing my newest design.