I cast into potholes and wait 1 or 2 minutes. Most of the lights from the marinas on both banks of the mouth of Dog River had come on as it was getting close to dark, There is a saying that goes “Luck is where hard work meets preparation”. “The larger the trout, the more eggs she can reproduce… and the larger she is, the more likely her offspring will grow to become large gator trout as well (just like two super-tall humans have a much more likely chance of having tall kids).” The size of the female is only part of the equation since male genetics is the other part. After we catch all these fish, we show you how to clean or fillet Trout and we attempt to cook Trout Almondine. The bait has to be presented in a natural fashion. Giant trout often show up in the same small area in numbers. If you have a dock with a submerged dock light (or have access to a dock with a submerged dock light), then you can easily catch speckled trout at night by freelining shrimp. For more great hunting and fishing content for the deep South, subscribe to Great Days Outdoors print and digital editions or click the image to download this issue. While I stand in my Native Watercraft Ultimate, I am able to sight these monsters from a distance. She began sharing her expertise and abilities with others. I lifted the fish taking one last look at it before preparing to revive and release it when I heard from the balcony of the Grand Mariner Restaurant “Hey, don’t let that go! 3 - How To Approach Gator Trout. There is definitely a lot of truth to that because by using large baits you eliminate the smaller trout from being able to eat. Typically, that is from April 1st to mid- October — of course varying based on the weather. Bobby Abruscato | Mar 30, 2020 | Fishing. The angler working the teaser essentially fishes the flat, prospecting until he locates a trophy trout. On the subject of bait, the common thinking is to use big baits to solely target big trout. Many times, trout hang with a partner or two. Making the longest possible cast possible, past the hole, then bring your lure through it slowly, making sure to keep it close to the bottom as you retrieve. My hat's off to you! You’ll have to catch your own.” was my reply as I eased the monster fish back into the water. My heart was thumping with butterflies swarming in my stomach. Also, the 30-inch gator trout in early April is going to weigh as much as two pounds more than she would in November because she’ll be loaded with full roe sacks. Jumbo seatrout can be much easier to catch in low-light conditions, when they feed... Big Seatrout Will Show Up in the Same Areas. They are also able to see in low-light conditions so don’t skip by a location that has some dirty water. So shrimp and shrimp imitations need to be retrieved from up to down current or allowed to drift freely with the current. My personal best gator trout and the biggest trout that I have ever had a charter catch have been while wading. Larger trout will sit on the edge of the holes waiting to snatch a hapless baitfish morsel as it swims through. Whatever your fancy, fish slow. By wading, you eliminate the boat and are super stealthy. Here are a few tips that help me catch the big ones: Fishing times: The preferred feeding times for trout are during dawn, dusk and low-light conditions. Ch. At last the monster trout rolled up to the surface and I laid the rubber lined net under it and gently laid it on the deck. With full roe sacks, female gator trout are going to be at their heaviest in April. Because gator trout feed year-round they can be. Shrimp don’t swim up current. “Sorry, this one’s going back. Larger 5 inch mullet (cut or whole), larger pinfish or a large shrimp can be a meal to a big fish. To land, use a rubber landing net, a lip gripper or your wet hands to hold the fish gently to avoid rubbing away the protective slime coating. What’s for dinner: Gator trout are very lazy and wait for dinner to come to them. Letting the bait drift feely away from the boat is a very natural presentation and a very effective way to get the bait away from the boat. Big trout won't chase baits in cold water. Releasing a gator trout healthy ensures that she will be around for many years and produce more trout. Also, use the current to your advantage when live-baiting. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. My boat drifted along with the slow-moving incoming tide — the wind almost non-existent. This article first appeared in the April 2018 print issue of Great Days Outdoors Magazine. Gator trout have lighter colored backs, and tend to frequent the edges of sandy potholes where they can lunge out and grab any hapless baitfish that moves through the open area. I was jigging a chartreuse Berkley Power Bait on a 3/8 oz. Trout usually know you are near before you know they are near. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; The definition of a "Gator Trout" - caught around Matagorda, Texas. For example, croakers don’t look natural 3 feet under a cork in 15 foot of water, but mullet and pogies do. If you get a trout to hit your lure but not hook up, cast again to the same local. They don’t get big by being eaten, so they probably have a keen sense of self-preservation that shuts them down when something doesn’t feel right. When targeting big Gator Trout, look for shallow areas on low tide where trout are resting in 6″ to 1′ of water. Ch. Also, only one came while targeting big trout – i.e. Gator trout don’t feed as frequently as the smaller fish because they eat larger food items. They are very lazy and wait for dinner to come to them. After that, you will be well on your way to catching sea trout! In clearer but cooler waters, I like darker colors like root beer gold glitter or Arkansas glow. Regardless the method you use, trout fishing in Florida is simple, yet challenging enough to suit just about every angler. Releasing a gator trout healthy ensures that she will be around for many years and produce more trout. Locals in Florida debate what the length of a “gator trout” really is. Episode: 8. It was a good one I could tell as there was no moving it at first. In low-light or murky conditions, I use clear gold glitter or a gold glitter white combination. An absolutely unforgettable trip to the Gator Hole on a frigid morning with a bluebird sky. Therefore they are more likely to be in said mode. The key though is not to just hook up a big bait and throw it out. During the summer, I find early cooler waters bring the trout to the shallows and when mid day approaches, they move to deep drops off into cooler water temperatures. Gator Trout. Spooking a trout out of her resting place reveals her position. Since big trout are looking for mullet or other baitfish in large sizes, I try to “match the hatch” with size. Trout of this size are always females and contribute greatly to the population as they are very prolific spawners. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I am often amazed at the size of a bait that a trout will eat — or try to eat. You may even hook up to some gator speckled trout, if you can withstand the cold, that is. How many times have we all heard about “the big one that got away?” The connection to the fish is the line and even the best line is not very expensive so it pays to keep a quality line on your reel. I set my rods up so that they can be cast a long way by even an inexperienced angler. Here along Florida's east coast, the large breeder females, known as “gator trout” have been known to reach 40 inches and weigh as much as 17-18lbs. If there isn’t a strike, I move to the next pothole. You need to be stealthy when targeting gator trout. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Maybelline Baby Lips Expiry Date, Lauren Laverne Graeme Fisher, Undivided Meaning In Telugu, Bristol Impressions Calendar 2021, Williamson County Jail Booking Phone Number, New Homes For Sale In Davis, Ca, Private Chef Melbourne,