Looking for spots not stripes in the face of the snook closure

Well, by now it¹s no secret that our local snook population took a big hit this past Winter. A continued closed season was put into effect by the powers that be. Now many snook fanatics are left feeling some what empty. It just might be for the greater good to lay off the old linesider for a season, and let procreation play out uninterrupted. This will undoubtably put extreme pressure on redfish making them more spooky than they already are.

So when your frustration level hits a high this Spring ­ Think trout! Historically one of the most targeted species on the Gulf Coast, the speckled trout is an easy Spring favorite. Trout offer every angler of every ability a chance to get in on the action. From tossing flies to soaking a live bait, the possibilities for success are typically great.

Most grass flats-trout are not particularly boat-shy. Unlike the local reds and snook, they¹re not prone to run and hide at the first hint of incoming traffic. It’s just plain fun-fishing without all the hoop-la that can go along with the purist-style of shallow water angling.

Any number of artificial baits, from noisy topwaters to bottom hopping jigs or jerkbaits, can be used to locate areas holding trout.First-timers should try a live shrimp under a popping cork (Popping corks are available at any bait shop and are recognizable by the cupped top of the cork.) Look for water depths of two to six feet with a heavy cover of turtle grass on the bottom. (Turtle grass is that wide-bladed grass that covers so much of our flats in the Bay area.) This is prime territory for trout to lay in ambush for an easy meal.

Rig your bait about two feet below the cork and give her a toss down-wind as you drift. Let the bait settle for a few seconds, wind in the slack, and, with a sideways motion, give it a sharp, short yank with your rod. When performed properly, your cork should produce a loud “popping” sound. Let the bait settle for a few seconds and repeat.

When the cork goes down, DON’T set the hook. Instead, reel down as quickly as you can and raise the rod tip to bring your catch “tight”. Now gently and firmly play your fish to the boat. Remember that trout have very soft mouths and pulling too hard will result in a thrown hook.When you run out of shrimp or are ready to step it up a knotch,replace the live shrimp with an 1/8th or 1/4-ounce jig.

For the best return on your entertainment dollar, try a topwater plug — very arguably the best trout bait going. The MirrOlure Top Pup and similar ³walking² baits are some of my favorites. Those folks able to rub their belly and pat their head at the same time will have a field day tossing these guys around and ³walkin’ the dog². This is a great way to cover territory and locate schools of fish.

Just like with the popping cork, don¹t set the hook on the strike. Trout will often smack at the bait and miss. Just reel down and feel for fish. If there¹s nothing, just keep “walkin². They may strike several times, sometimes knocking your plug clear of the water before finding the hook. A jerk too soon results in the dreaded “jerk on both ends”.

Another tremendous bait is the jig. Made to dredge the depths, it puts the bait in the fish’s face. Let these baits settle to or near the bottom and give them a sharp “jig” upwards. Try to feel for the pick-up as the bait falls. Avoid slack line that would allow your fish to “spit” the hook. Again, DON’T set the hook. Just reel down and raise your rod tip. (Remember the ³jerk on both ends?²)

For the fly rodders, try poppers, flashy streamers and weighted shrimp patterns. Wade fishing as you fan-cast allows more time to cover an area thoroughly. You often have to strip-in line double-fast from a drifting boat just to keep the slack out. Some type of sea anchor will help slow your drift and is a real plus on windy days for any style of blind casting.

Colors can often make a big difference with trout. Choice colors can vary from day to day. When fishing with your fearless crew, try a “spread” of color selections to see what works best. For trout,bright stuff seems to do the trick. Chartreuse and hot pink are good bets from the get-go but don’t overlook the root beer or motor oil.