Ok. Besides topwater baits just wondering what artificials you guys are using. I’m familiar with and have experience fishing grubs, Doa, trout tricks, gulp…the usual suspects, but was wondering if any body had any secret weapons that they were willing to share!
Lightest jig head possible and whatever curly tail you have the most confidence in. My go to: lead colored 1/4 oz with zman copper penny curly for clear days and the dark/gold flake one for overcast days. If fish are being picky, I’ll put a little fish attractant gel in the hook cavity. Most people I’ve noticed use a heavier jig head…maybe it casts further, but I’ve had much better luck with the lighter stuff… also, if you’re not already…use a loop knot to tie your jig heads…it’ll make a big difference on the tougher days when the bite is slow.
'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt
1/8 oz jig with a Z-man 3.25" Smokey Shad.
I’m not a pro, far from it…but it’s the only artificial I’ve ever caught fish on. I’ve even caught flounder on it.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 18 year old ( has decided being with parents isn’t cool)
1 - 15 year old (still does not mind hanging with the 'rents)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
^^^ Pro Tip right there man!
Edit: OK, both of them 
j
17 Malibu CC
88 'rude
So Duck sauce, you want to catch trout? Or you wanna catch “big” trout. And just so folks don’t start throwin’ stones, Trout Tricks, DOA, Z-Man and the such are all great lures I am sure. But all are pretty small baits. And “large” Trout, say over 18", eat big bait fish. A 20" Trout will prefer a 8"-10" mullet over a 3"-4" shrimp under a poppin’ cork. Having said that, if a trout eats a 10" fish it probably won’t feed again for some time. Try throwing some nice big swimbaits, 6"-10" long. There are alot of really nice swimbaits companies out there, Caustic, Mattlures, Realfish to name a few. The sow Trout are spawning pretty heavy right now, will be a good opportunity to catch one moving in or out. Early morning late evening. Full moon Thursday, Friday? Perfect. Heck, if you can net some big mullet 6"-8" float one under a balloon like shinners for giant Largemouth. But for numbers of fish I would throw the smaller curly tails, tricks and Z’s.
Dparker, I have been fishing inshore for sometime and catching big trout, or at least trying to, has become my goal. Looks like some great advice, just had a couple of questions. I am assuming that when you mention fishing the full moon you are talking about fishing at night. I do have some experience fishing dock lights at night, but that usually results in reds and smaller trout. When you fish at night do you fish your usual spots or do you focus on something different?
Not fishing at night, just looking foward to fishing around the current moon phase. I’m pretty sure Seatrout actively spawn at night and don’t feed, so night fishing for mature Specks is probably not the best choice. So far since March I’ve landed 3 Specks over 20" all were female and full of roe. I hope to snag a few keepers the next couple days, weather permitting.
they spawn early nighttime and I know some folks who catch large breeders after midnight once they’re done dropping eggs and realize they’re hungry. mirrolures and such.
definitely big baits = big fish, and especially for trout and flounder… but also, I caught my largest trout of the year on a 3" live shrimp under a float in 2’ of hot, murky water at low tide in the middle of a bright, sunny day this week. 17" and 21"ers both at slack, thought the big one was a red by the fight. not saying that’s the rule, in fact almost every part of that seems to be an anomaly… just another data point on my learning curve.
aaaaand cue optiker
he can’t catch big trout unless he’s with BOSN
all I will say is this: if someone comes and says they have it all figured out, they don’t. for me, its just a long journey of trying to improve my odds of catching and the challenge is what keeps it fun. I think the best way to catch a big trout is to let a big haden or mullet swim under a rattle cork over structure. But sitting around waiting for a bite doesn’t do it for me anymore (not judging those that do, lord knows i’ve been there - thats how I know). For arties, I have caught my biggest on hard baits (topwater and suspending). But for me, to catch a big sow on a jig is the ultimate test of angling skill. A big trout will not hammer a jig and most bites are missed if felt at all. Or at least thats my current understanding based on my limited experience (and watching Ralph catch them out of the same hole i’m fishing in)
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
Thanks everyone for the insight! I’ve learned a lot from the posts!
Good Info! One day I hope to catch some Big Trout:wink:
Best is to do the biggest topwater bait early in the morning. Fish it all the way to the boat. Badonka donks or super spooks, oh and have a mirodyne to follow up with one that blows up on your topwater and misses. Big trout eat big baits. 
. Good luck. High tide going out early at first light works best for me.
I am no expert by any means but i have caught a bunch of trout here and in FL. It is true that the gators like bigger bait like a 8 inch mullet,6 in hadens and big shrimp. Dont ever get caught up in thinking those females wont hit a larger live shrimp! Get all three so you can change it up. When fishing live baits i feel it is very important to have a variety. At least two kinds if not more. The larger trout may bite real light on live bait too. So, sometimes if you see the cork acting up you have to kind of reel it a little and if you feel a little resistance set the hook (assuming you are not using those (**() circle hooks). Sometimes, if your bait is really big, give them just a about one second and then set the hook.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
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