I know the previous month has been great for the trout fishing. I was wondering what is the water temp or which month does this hot bite stop and the fish become more lethargic? Just wanted to do some fishing over the holidays with guests, thanks!
I think this cold front this Saturday may be the turning point that really ends the late fall early winter fishing, and begins the winter fishing patterns. Our water is 61 and usually close to 58 shuts the fish down a lot, with it being 28 Friday/Saturday we should see a it fall some. This will cause the fish to move to the deeper channels and sit on the bottom. If you catch a trout with red chaffing on its belly and tail it means it is laying in/on the bottom, a key sign the surface temp is lower than bottom and lower than they like. On really hot winter days the bait will raise in the water column for the suns warmth and the trout will sometime follow them, usually the smaller members of the school are the ones that do, larger fish with more reserves will sit and wait for there food to come with the current. Good areas to target are structure in channels that are 8 to 20 ft deep, go passed, cast a head and let your bait scrub the bottom and work it really slow and pause often.
Thanks for the tips, I figure the zman swimbaits should still work around eddies in the channels but I will just have to work them slower.
50-52 degree water equals wide open trout bite in the deep holes with structure
When you guys say “structure”, what are you referring to?
Live bottom
Thanks for the tips!
Newbie question. What constitutes a live bottom for inshore?
Thanks to everyone who generously share their experience with those of us trying to learn.
There’s a reason I’m close to the top of the food chain.
‘97 HYDRASPORTS 22’ OCEAN DC
EVINRUDE 175
I don’t see live bottom in deep water inshore. Most deep (I.e., 8-15 ft) water bottom I see on my sonar looks smooth. Oysters are in very shallow water. What other things constitute live bottom? Sorry if I sound stupid, I’m really trying to learn.
Anything that will hold growth, old bridges, trees, crab pots, rock rubble, oyster mounds and old docks one of my best spots is next to a low key landing because someone threw rocks in there to discourage people from going there and it is the best structure in the creek for a good ways. There’s another spot by a Island that I fish that the bottom is covered in trees, and another spot that is a giant oyster mound. They are all different but fish the same, the fish are stacked up on the incoming and waiting for food. Just watch the tides If your fishing over structure in shallow because a 6-7ft tide swing can get you.
Got it. Many thanks.
Wait a minute! Deep hole with structure is different then deep hole with live bottom…the way I see it. They are not one in the same, no?
Live bottom to me means bottom with sonar returns of fish…may have “structure” it may not. Structure can be there (rocks, docks, drops) but nothing on the sonar…am I off on this?
I don’t have a depth finder. Live bottom is when I can see or pull up yellow tentacle sponge like growth
Also I am a liar. So don’t believe a word of this