Speckled Trout - Where are you?
- Captain Billy Howell
- Jan 23, 2019
- 3 min read
Over the past weeks, the speckled trout bite has been almost as rare a 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Penny. By the way, that particular penny recently sold for around 1.7M because it was the only one made at the Denver mint on a bronze alloy plate versus the normal zinc plated steel. At least the rivers are starting to look a little better. Average water temperatures have been holding steady around 54-55 degrees. This time last year, water temperatures were in the upper 40's.
This past weekend we had the opportunity to participate the 5th annual #WinterClassicInvitational hosted by #UglyFishing. #FishingChaos did a great job logging and uploading statistics for the leader board in real time.
Saturday morning was nice and warm with light to moderate southwest winds in the morning changing to moderate winds with occasional strong gusts in the afternoon. On Saturday, from 5:30 until 2:30 p.m. we fished up and down Fowl River in some of the usual and unusual winter time hot spots. During that time we only landed 4 speckled trout and 4 redfish. We cast a variety of baits with minimal success, from the #slicklure, #matrixshad and #zoomplasticflukes to jerk baits like the Rapala's #shadowrap, #ripstop and #xrap, #matrixminnow to #rattletraps. The only fish we were able to catch that day were on matrix shad soft plastics and rapala jerk baits.
Being drawn as the last team to weigh in on Saturday, we got the opportunity to see the field weigh in first. It was rather sad but comical standing at the weigh in, watching some of the guys walking up dragging their bag as if they had a load of heavy fish. People were doing a great job of making light of a tough day on the water.
While the top 3 teams in the standings all had a good bag of fish, our team, The Underdogs (Jason Gamble #redskyfishingcompany) and myself), only had a measley 3 speckled trout to weigh in. Believe it or not, our bag put us in 5th place for the opening day with a whopping 4.62lbs. Sad, Sad, Sad! Quite honestly, it was one of the saddest weigh-ins I have ever been a part of. I can guarantee you it wasn't the anglers fault, apparently the speckled trout didn't get their summons.
Of the 15 teams that participated, only about two thirds weighed in fish on Saturday, leaving several discussing whether to fish on Sunday or not. After all, the New Orleans saints were playing in the NFC Championship Game with a chance to go to the Super Bowl. Looking back at it, I'm sure some of those who decided not to fish, WISH they had gone fishing instead of watching that devastating defeat at the hands of the zebras.
Regardless of what was on television Sunday, given 25-30 mph winds and temperatures in the low 40's, if you decided to stay in bed on Sunday, it wasn't such a bad thing.
As is the norm with local tournaments, Team Wrecking Crew (Capt. Bobby Abruscato / Capt. Richard Rutland) wrecked the rest of the field with a whopping 31.65lb two day total after getting the live fish credits.
Team Bayou Boyz were in a respectable second place with a 26.94lb two day total, including winning the lunker with a 4.73lb speckled trout.
H&H rounded out third place with a 16.51lb two day total.
Congrats to all the winners and thanks to #UglyFishing for putting on such a great event.
Outlook
Over the next 15 days, forecast night time temperatures are in the 30's and 40's with daytime highs in the 60's. As long as we don't get buckets of rain, the fishing should improve. Don't be afraid to hit some of your normal spring spots or try some new waters if you aren't finding the fish where you expect them to be.
LOCAL LEARNING
Click the image below to sign up for the Surf Fishing Seminar that will take place next month at the Orange Beach Community Center.
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