The Tampa Bay Times, Captain’s Corner

The big trout of winter are here. If you know where to go, it is easy to catch trout over 20 inches long. Subsurface lures have worked best but we have caught some on topwater lures. The big negative low tides of winter are helpful. I will get out on the low tide and follow the trout up the grass flat as the water rises. The big trout will get up against the mangroves on the highest tides. The smaller trout lose out in aggressiveness when the water cools. The big trout win out this time of year. Five to six inch plastic tails on 1/8-ounce jigheads are basically all that we use. Mud bottom areas where the trough meets some grass is the top location to find these fish. A big trout fights better. Move lures at slow speeds for best results. Closed to harvest, they must be released until they are reopened again. This action will remain like this until the beginning of May. Bluefish are being caught in the same areas as the trout. The average size bluefish is six pounds.   


Neil Taylor

Neil Taylor
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