Things are definitely running a bit late this year. Trout are pretty much spread out (thinly) all over the place. Normally, they would be piled up in the deep holes in smaller creeks around here, but in the last few days, they have been a few here, a few there. There are lots to be caught, but running and gunning is the only way around here (Edisto) to fill the cooler with keepers. Trolling is also effective.
Thanks for this.
-wishes Macdaddy would come home
Good advice – thanks! I always look forward to trolling for trout in the winter. Anyone have any ideas for targeting bigger trout when trolling? I usually catch a lot of smaller guys.
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ideas? yes. credible? doubtful
go slower.
put a mirrorlure in the spread. plastics get hit 3:1 more than ml, but ml gets bigger fish
larger profile plastic
tip plastic with mud minnow
troll deeper
-wishes Macdaddy would come home
I’ll second PeaPod on the Mirro-Lure. I have not traditionally found the larger trout trolling. Finding deeper holes and using a sinking Mirro-lure has worked well. TT808 has been a killer for me in the winter month.
When I used to fish mirro-lures, I would fish them even slower than I fish a free-lined DOA. One half breath away from dead-sticking. In fact, we used to fish 2 rods. Cast them out and let both lures sink to the botton. Work one back super slow, recast, work the other, recast, repeat. Biggest I ever got was on a mirro-lure fished that way. 8.5lbs!
8.5 lbs.? Louisiana, Texas, Mosquito Lagoon?
quote:
Originally posted by Jerk BaitWhen I used to fish mirro-lures, I would fish them even slower than I fish a free-lined DOA. One half breath away from dead-sticking. In fact, we used to fish 2 rods. Cast them out and let both lures sink to the botton. Work one back super slow, recast, work the other, recast, repeat. Biggest I ever got was on a mirro-lure fished that way. 8.5lbs!
quote:
Originally posted by ApickettI have not traditionally found the larger trout trolling.
ever notice how the raddaddy threads tend to concentrate some quality info?
when i moved here, i didn’t know how to saltwater fish, let alone trout fish.
i trolled. and i trolled. i did everything wrong - from speed, boat position, knots, you name it, i did it wrong. i knew nothing, still don’t know much.
i spent a bunch of time on water in the late 90’s and early 2000’s
i caught lots of trout trolling and they were all small. well mostly. [there’s a real good trout fisherman on here -psychokiller - who doesn’t count trolling as proper trout fishing. and i think he’s right]
i kept putting in TOW time on water. and i learned. and i asked questions. people on here and on the water helped me.
i don’t troll any more, but i think it can help locating fish.
i think you catch bigger fish searching long grassy points at mid to high tide and probing deeper holes with bigger baits. topwaters at low light have produced my biggest trout along with large live bait in deep holes in the winter.
as always, don’t believe a word i say and you’ll be safe
-wishes Macdaddy would come home
Little River
quote:
Originally posted by PeaPodstill don’t know much.
This says a lot. IMO anyone who claims they have it all figured out you need to be skeptical of. True wisdom comes from never thinking you know it all. I learn every time I’m on the water.
And to RAD’s point, they are definitely not in the winter pattern, at least not before this cold front. Catching them still on the main waterways.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
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quote:
Originally posted by PeaPodideas? yes. credible? doubtful
go slower.
put a mirrorlure in the spread. plastics get hit 3:1 more than ml, but ml gets bigger fish
larger profile plastic
tip plastic with mud minnow
troll deeper
-wishes Macdaddy would come home
What’s a good trolling speed? Just bumping the motor out of neutral, or what? And how close to the bank do y’all ride?
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Ive been chasing these fish for the better part of 60 years and they will still make a fool out of me. I know a lot more than I used to but not as much as I need to. If you don’t learn something new every day, you ain’t paying attention.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
What's a good trolling speed? Just bumping the motor out of neutral, or what? And how close to the bank do y'all ride?
Real slow. You need to feel the lure bumping bottom. How close depends on the situation, but usually real close, along the edge of the grass.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
What's a good trolling speed? Just bumping the motor out of neutral, or what? And how close to the bank do y'all ride?
Real slow. You need to feel the lure bumping bottom. How close depends on the situation, but usually real close, along the edge of the grass.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
My man. Thanks.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
We’ve had 4, 20+ Fish days in the past few weeks. We haven’t trolled but we have covered a lot of water just casting and searching the for the fish. I keep a few rods rigged up with various baits. Small to large and also a DOA under a popping cork. ZMan Slim SwimZ and DOA have been the main fish catchers for me.
experience noun \ik-#712;spir–#601;n(t)s
-
the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
-
that thing you get just moments after you needed it.
Thanks for starting this thread, Rad.
To all, what do y’all consider to be the ideal tide for trout? Based on CL’s answer about proximity from the bank, it seems like the tide would have to be somewhat up to be able to effectively drag baits through the strike zone without getting snagged on oysters or tearing up your boat. Your thoughts, please?
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Around here, top of the tide and the first 2 hours of outgoing have been the best on the main river. This is strictly due to water clarity though. In the creeks, fishing has been good on the first 3 hours of the incoming.
quote:
Originally posted by Black BartThanks for starting this thread, Rad.
To all, what do y’all consider to be the ideal tide for trout? Based on CL’s answer about proximity from the bank, it seems like the tide would have to be somewhat up to be able to effectively drag baits through the strike zone without getting snagged on oysters or tearing up your boat. Your thoughts, please?
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
For trolling I like the higher portions of the tide. Water in the grass.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
All I know is that I hope we get this warm El Nino winter and we don’t get any die offs, thereby getting good spawn class. I have seen monsters caught in very deep holes in the Gulf where my wife is from. The shrimp and mullet seek these places out. Find some deep spots near creeks and chanels and free line any kind of bait you can get…boom.