As winter grips the coastal waters, the behavior of Speckled Trout significantly changes, affecting how anglers target them. A memorable outing in South Texas illustrates this concept well. On a much-anticipated fishing trip, my buddy and I planned to wade fish in waist-deep flats. However, the coldest front of the year hit just before our arrival, dropping the water temperature to a frigid 38 degrees and forcing us to cancel our original plans.
Strong north winds blew out the tide, leaving the shallows barren and devoid of baitfish. Despite our chilly hands, we persevered and decided to fish in a nearby deep channel, casting slow-sinking lures and soft plastic Knockin Tail Lures. By the day's end, we had caught a small redfish and an impressive 8-pound Speckled Trout, a moment that made the cold worthwhile.
On the second day, the weather slightly improved with diminished winds. We explored several deep dead-end channels nearby rather than venture far from the ramp. Here, we found a successful day of fishing, landing around 40-50 trout, most weighing between 2-4 pounds, with a few larger specimens. The subtle bite required our jigs to be slowly bounced along the bottom. As the sun warmed the waters, the trout's behavior changed; they vacated the channels in search of the warmer open bay once the threat of freezing subsided.
This experience underscored a crucial lesson: during extreme cold, trout seek refuge in deeper channels not out of the desire to feed but for survival. Targeing these areas can yield significant catches if timed correctly, especially when hunting for trophy trout. The most productive times for fishing can often be aligned with solunar tables, which outline fish feeding cycles. Initially skeptical during my youth, I later saw the merit of studying these tables alongside tidal movements. While they are not a foolproof guide to fishing, I found that fish tend to become more aggressive during the specified feeding times.
The solunar tables distinguish between "major" and "minor" feeding times, with the significant lasting two hours and the minor about 1.5 hours. Both can yield equally intense fishing experiences. For optimal results, I suggest planning each trip around these times. Even if the initial fishing spot proves unproductive, patience can lead to breakthrough moments when the fish becomes active, particularly during solunar peaks.
While no method guarantees a catch, combining favorable conditions- such as tide, wind, water clarity, temperature, bait presence, and brushing up on the solunar tables - dramatically heightens the chances of landing those elusive gator trout. By aligning your fishing efforts with these natural patterns, you can substantially improve your odds when battling the winter chill in pursuit of trophy Speckled Trout.