Get on the trout

The Tampa Bay Times

By Neil Taylor

The early morning and sundown hours are ideal for catching big speckled trout throughout the region.   Topwater action accelerating, we have easy action for fat trout available for the extended future.Locating trout is simply a matter of searching the grassy-bottom areas. Most trout will be at depths of 3 feet or more. Depth changes with sand patches are ideal. Subsurface, the jig is a great trout tool.   Use medium to light spinning tackle and 1/8-ounce jighead on a light fluorocarbon leader and move the lures gently across the bottom.   Surface baits, work the two foot depths of thick turtle grass and jab the rod tip to make the lure splash erratically on the surface.   Topwater trout are routinely the largest trout.  For easy release (and safety for you), smash down the barbs on your hooks.  With smooth fighting technique, you won’t lose the fish and it is much easier to remove fish from hooks.    Regulations:  Four fish per angler per day, size 15 to 20-inches.   The one fish over 20 inches has been temporarily suspended.   I believe the slot size fish are better for eating anyway.