Florida Sport Fishing - Speck-Tacular Saviors!

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Speck-Tacular Saviors!

Written by Ed Mashburn

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2007 ISSUE

Feature Editorial

For resident and visiting Gulf Coast anglers, spotted seatrout are the perfect spring pastime.

Florida is blessed with many fine species of inshore gamefish, but it is the state’s Gulf Coast that is particularly fortunate when it comes to fish with dots. Speckled hind, red drum, Spanish mackerel and spotted seatrout, commonly referred to as “specks” and the star of this show, are all regular West Coast visitors.

Not unlike the other species mentioned, the entire stretch of Florida’s Gulf coast from Panama City to the Everglades, houses its own population of artfully painted specks. However, just because the yellow-mouthed fanged-fish are there, and we know they are, doesn’t necessarily mean they will be eager to bite. As with most fisheries, local knowledge of a particular area can go a long way toward achieving the greatest level of success which is exactly why Florida Sport Fishing interviewed five of the finest professional inshore fishing guides in the state.

Our motive is to reveal their take on finding and cashing in on these scrappy springtime saviors in their segment of this vast region. All agreed that no matter where an angler wets his or her line along the pristine Gulf, there is no doubt seatrout will be close at hand. Unanimously, they also agreed that any angler, young or old, who says he or she doesn’t enjoy catching seatrout is not being 100% truthful, because on the appropriate 6- to 12-lb. gear, trout are fun! So see if a fire to visit Florida’s West Coast to get in on some of this action isn’t raging in your mind. Of course, the only thing that will extinguish this kind of flame is saltwater- saltwater with lush grass beds and thick concentrations of baitfish.

Panhandle

Captain John Rivers, an eight-year Pensacola veteran, tells us April, May and June are primetime for finding aggressive trout harassing baitfish on the flats and chasing grass shrimp in the back bay bayous. He prefers the spring season because it’s still fairly cool, and he says that the speck bite peaks in the morning and late afternoon hours.

Rivers recommends showing up in the shallows with variety - shrimp, croakers, pinfish and/or finger mullet. He did point out though that if he could only choose one, it would be a three-inch croaker fished under a popping cork or free-lined. Like a few of the other experts we spoke to, John stressed that a live croaker just seems to have some sort of magic way of enticing the largest trout in the bunch. If numbers are what you’re after, Rivers says it is impossible to beat live shrimp, but to watch out for pesky pinfish constantly picking off your critter.

As for artificial baits, Rivers revealed he has had success with a whole variety of artificials but that he tends to prefer three-inch soft-plastics semi-clear in color with silver metal flake and a chartreuse tail. He pairs these baits with ¼ oz jigheads and works them through the water column mimicking an injured baitfish. His exact words were, “Hungry trout jump all over ‘em!”

Rivers stated that whatever you do, in Northwest Florida you should start your trout search early by working both live and artificial baits in shallow water, and to always be on the lookout for bait concentrations getting pushed to the surface by trout on the move.

Typically, specks are ambush predators. They hover in pockets of grass adjacent to sandy potholes and wait for unsuspecting baitfish and crustaceans to swim into their immediate kill-zone where they dart out and snatch the offering in the blink of an eye. Captain John also pointed out that one very important factor for putting your finger on the action is keeping a close eye on the tides. His preference is incoming water during the morning hours.

With all that, successful anglers are also patient; they work areas thoroughly and they’re not afraid to try different techniques. Spotted seatrout fishing is pattern fishing and changes from day to day depending upon tides, water clarity and weather conditions.

The Big Bend

Captain Rick Burns, a third generation Floridian and active Nature Coast guide for nearly 30 years, says October is the month for both size and numbers. However, Burns agrees that trout are obviously taken with regularity year-round - you just have to know where to find them and how to fool them.

We asked Burns if an angler wanted to lean the odds in his favor for finding big trout, what approach he would recommend. Without a moment’s hesitation, the answer was simple, “Pinfish under a cork!”

Locals in the area know that the waters off Crystal River and Homosassa are generally very clear, which visiting anglers need to use to their advantage. Burns says locating turtle grass beds dotted with sandy potholes is also a key to finding big trout.

Along with natural baits, Rick rigs his clients with jerkbaits in white and electric chicken which really stand out well in stained water sometimes brought on by strong spring breezes. When asked if there were anything else he would like to add or would recommend for speck fishing in his area, Burns responded, “Here along the Nature Coast, we are blessed with oyster bars and limestone rock outcroppings. It will surely behoove an angler to hire a guide if he is not extremely familiar with the area. The entire near-coastal seascape really does a great job at keeping outboard engine and propeller repairmen very happy. However, along with the lack of boat traffic and barely any coastal development, these shallow water obstructions are one of the very reasons our trout fishery is so exciting.”

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West Central

Captain Ray Markham, an active inshore guide, leading outdoor writer and radio personality who specializes in fishing Florida’s west central region, says that there is no doubt in his mind that March, April and May are the most productive months for seatrout. Markham says the specks are often so thick, that they steal the spotlight from some of the more glamorous shallow water species.

When Ray heads out in search of trout action, he fishes scaled-sardines whenever possible. Choice #2 is live shrimp under a popping cork or D.O.A. Clacker. However, once the inshore water temperature reaches the mid 70s, Markham switches to throwing noisy top-water baits for the added visual element. His baits of choice are MirrOlure’s 5M or Top Dog, Rapala’s Skitterwalk or a Bite-A-Bait Walker. He says throwing top-waters during periods of subdued light early and late in the day is the way to go!

Another of Ray’s ‘go to’ artificials for racking up trout numbers, especially with novice anglers onboard, is a D.O.A. glow shrimp fished on 10 lb. braid. Cast the bait up-current and let the shrimp drift over potholes. He does the same with Love’s Lures Tandem Jig Rig.

Like with snook fishing, stealth is very important when sneaking up on seatrout. Keep as low a profile as you can while studying your surroundings for signs of life. If glass-minnows are present, Markham throws CAL Shad on ¼ oz. jigheads. When finger mullet are the predominant baitfish, he’s back to top-waters and has also had success with shallow running Baitbusters.

Markham added, “While the fishery appears quite stable, trout are, in fact, fragile and may be in jeopardy due to the effects of red tide over the past year. Avoid handling any fish intended for release, rig with barbless hooks and use a hook-remover for a careful release. Together, we can make a difference!”

Southwest

Captain Will Geraghty, a southwest inshore and near-shore specialist, says that in and around the Naples / Marco Island area, mid-January through April is trout season. Will tells us this is exactly when you’ll also find the greatest numbers of fish. However, during the summer months, light tackle spin-fishermen and fly-fishing aficionados will connect with the largest trout of the year while working the outside flats, points and shorelines while targeting snook and redfish.

For anglers specifically searching for specks, Geraghty says shrimp is the go-to bait with recently netted pilchards a very close second. Either of these irresistible enticements can be fished under a popping cork or Cajun Thunder rig while drifting across lush grass flats. In more open terrain, Geraghty suggests free-lining the baits with a tiny split-shot.

When asked his preference in artificial lures, Captain Will responded that he, too, has a liking for MirrOlure Top Dogs and Rapala Skitterwalks in a variety of natural and bright-color schemes. Geraghty says anglers should concentrate their top-water efforts in areas with swift current by imparting a relatively slow retrieve.

As the year progresses, jigs will produce good numbers all the way through to the fall and early winter. Rip Tide, Exude, and Gulp are brands that have proven their effectiveness time and again for Will and work exceptionally well in the upper Ten Thousand Island. If you can get your hands on them, Geraghty sings praise of a locally manufactured trout killer called a Monte Bucktail.

Important factors to help visiting angler find and catch large specks is to concentrate on areas which have good tidal flow and good water clarity. Mix up offerings and retrieval rates until a combination that produces is found. For the most part, trout are very habitual in their residence throughout the season, so areas where you previously found them would be promising places to start your search.

Lastly, Captain Will added that the Ten Thousand Islands and Naples/Marco Island area see their fair share of fishing pressure. Allow fellow anglers plenty of elbow room while poling across the flats and avoid “short hopping” fellow boaters who are working a shoreline or set up on a drift. Running at full throttle across areas where trout anglers are anchored, drifting or are staked-off is very poor etiquette.

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Everglades National Park

If anyone knows how to locate and connect with big trout, it’s Captain Becky Campbell. She has been fishing the Everglades for nearly three decades. Becky says she sees good trout fishing all year, though as far as size is concerned, March and April consistently yield the largest fish.

She, too, prefers live shrimp worked on a jig or under a popping cork. As for lures, Becky chooses Berkley’s Gulp Shrimp. Campbell recommends fishing the fake just like a live shrimp - on a jig or under a popping cork.

As for the most productive hours of the day, Campbell believes as long as there is moving water, you’ll find willing takers. She recommends drifting until you find concentrations of activity and then anchoring or staking off to take advantage of the immediate action.

If you’re inundated with small trout, Campbell suggests slowing down your retrieve. Juvenile trout are much more aggressive than their bigger brothers and sisters. If you still can’t find large fish, relocate altogether. You will inevitably find pockets of bigger fish- just stay on the move until you do.

Campbell also added that while drift fishing, quite a few boats can work an area as long as everyone is considerate. She, too, pointed out to be gentle with the small trout you release so they will be there tomorrow for someone else to catch. Keep only what you can eat fresh. It is easy to get carried away when the bite’s hot!

women fishing, spotted sea trout