This trout was right at 20" and weighed 2.48 pds. Ive only caught one other one this size earlier in summer, the usual for me is 13-16 inches as i normally fish the rivers. However, whenever i see the results of some inshore tournaments i regularly see fish this size placing while others much larger are winning. Also, it seems that the same person entered in multiple large trout. So, not asking for the spots but are there locations where larger trout congregate or are those guys winning just more skilled or are they entering pond trout?
The larger trout tend not travel with the smaller trout, a lot of times if you are catching smaller trout consider throwing artificial or live bait a little deeper off of where you are catching the smaller fish.
A trout 20+ inches in this area is VERY nice. There are areas up and down the coast that just hold larger trout than others. Here at Edisto, we have good numbers of smaller trout, but very few 3+ pound fish. Right now, waters near the harbor, Port Royal Sound, Cape Romain, Pawley’s Island and Little River hold larger trout than what we have. Go farther North to the Cape Fear basin or South of Savannah and the average fish gets even larger. As mentioned already, large artificials (4"-5") in a little deeper water adjacent to where good numbers live will sometimes get you a bigger bite. Hard plastic suspending jerk baits are GREAT this time of year for larger trout.
A lot of my biggest ones, 5+ pounds come from the harbor, or at or very near ocean inlets. The biggest ones I usually get in creeks are 4 pounds, although I’ve caught them up to 6 pounds in a creek. Last late April when the big females were schooled up one of my creek spots was producing 3-4 pound school trout for almost 3 weeks. There was a 5 pounder mixed in here and there with them. I’ve never seen school trout that size.
I would love to see some pics of multiple 4-6 pound trout.
quote:Originally posted by Jerk Bait
A lot of my biggest ones, 5+ pounds come from the harbor, or at or very near ocean inlets. The biggest ones I usually get in creeks are 4 pounds, although I’ve caught them up to 6 pounds in a creek. Last late April when the big females were schooled up one of my creek spots was producing 3-4 pound school trout for almost 3 weeks. There was a 5 pounder mixed in here and there with them. I’ve never seen school trout that size.
look at the names of folks that win most of the tournaments, you will see the same names lot’s of times. These folks know where the larger fish are. My biggest catch has been a 5.3 lb. I have been back to that spot numerous times and have caught nothing. The fish was caught drift fishing a sliding cork with two live shrimp. A friend of mine had a motto “don’t be afraid of a large live mullet”
Furthermore if there is money involved there could also be crooking going on such as fishing under lights the night before, catching the large fish days before the tournament and keep it alive in a large release tank, and fishing in ponds. A lie detector should be a must at all weigh in’s, however, that would cost to much. Believe me, everyone is not honest. Tight lines?
To be honest, I don’t think pond fishing is against the rules in most of the tournaments around here. I do agree, however that it is cheating or at the very least unsportsmanlike.
If a tournament does not specifically forbid pond fishing, no way would I fish it.
I’ve caught some of my personal records in ponds, but they don’t count - its in a pond!
My opinion - even if the rules don’t prohibit, and you catch fish out of a pond and weigh them and walk away with the spoils, you are a cheater.
If a tournament does not specifically forbid pond fishing, no way would I fish it.
I’ve caught some of my personal records in ponds, but they don’t count - its in a pond!
My opinion - even if the rules don’t prohibit, and you catch fish out of a pond and weigh them and walk away with the spoils, you are a cheater.
I completely agree with you. Sadly enough I have my suspicions that it happens in most of the tournaments I’ve participated in. We call them the Lake Francis boys.
I would love to see some pics of multiple 4-6 pound trout.
quote:Originally posted by Jerk Bait
A lot of my biggest ones, 5+ pounds come from the harbor, or at or very near ocean inlets. The biggest ones I usually get in creeks are 4 pounds, although I’ve caught them up to 6 pounds in a creek. Last late April when the big females were schooled up one of my creek spots was producing 3-4 pound school trout for almost 3 weeks. There was a 5 pounder mixed in here and there with them. I’ve never seen school trout that size.
I’ve done it in Biloxi a long time ago, but never had that kind of success here.
I’d love to get a limit of of 4 lbers at least once in my life!
Nice fish Fishersofmen! That would make a wonderful Saturday breakfast meal!
I caught this fish free lining a live bait in about 3-4 feet of water and it didnt take a second before he hit it. However, that was the only fish i caught on that point, im a big believer in drifting as well until i find fish. I hear a lot of people saying to find deeper water for larger trout, exactly how deep are we talking? Ive never fished for trout outside of 6 feet of water, any advice on what to look for in selecting a deep water spot to fish?
As the water cools, you will have to fish 10-15+ feet in the creeks for the larger trout. 4-8 feet on the main rivers between April and October is plenty deep.
quote:Originally posted by fishersofmen
I caught this fish free lining a live bait in about 3-4 feet of water and it didnt take a second before he hit it. However, that was the only fish i caught on that point, im a big believer in drifting as well until i find fish. I hear a lot of people saying to find deeper water for larger trout, exactly how deep are we talking? Ive never fished for trout outside of 6 feet of water, any advice on what to look for in selecting a deep water spot to fish?
Yes fishersofmen, the trout will be in the center of the creek. Most people run their boat down the middle casting to the bank in the winter. They should hug the bank and cast to the middle. They are directly over top of the fish. Thats a pro-tip
Yes fishersofmen, the trout will be in the center of the creek. Most people run their boat down the middle casting to the bank in the winter. They should hug the bank and cast to the middle. They are directly over top of the fish. Thats a pro-t
Thanks, makes sense since they are trying to find the warmer water there, I’ll take all the pro tips you can offer. Many people here have offered some sound advice that I am very humble in asking for. That advice, coupled with time on the water keeps improving my game. While we are on the trout topic, do you gentlemen think that trout are resident fish similar to non-bull reds or do you think they wander?
