Hello there fishing friends,
Another week of poor weather might have had some of you considering the sanity of fishing, but stick with it, with a warmer front and lighter winds predicted for the coming week we should be back among the fish soon enough.
Some of you will be out pursuing the larger winter sea trout which have been showing up more and more as the first of the fall cold fronts hits. As the weather gets cooler the snook will also be making their seasonal move up into creeks and docks, seeking the darker, warmer waters of back bay areas, where they can survive the cooler conditions.
If you want to know more about the spotted sea trout to be found in the waters around Anna Maria Island, here is what the fishing website Fish4Fun has to say: 'The Spotted Seatrout is a sturdy fish with an elongated, streamlined body. The mouth is large with a larger lower jaw and an upper jaw with two prominent canine teeth. The dorsal fin is divided by a deep notch. The Spotted Seatrout is silvery in color with olive green tints on the back. It has a lateral line which runs from just behind the gills to the tail, above which are numerous black spots which extend on to the second half of the dorsal fin.
'The fish prefers water temperatures in the 65 to 75 degree F. range. They can be found in just about any inshore or near shore waters. From the surf and jetties, grass flats and shell banks to inland coastal rivers. The average fish ranges in size from 14" to 20" and can weigh from about a pound up to five pounds. Larger fish can be found, and the world record is 17 pounds 7 ounces.
'The methods and equipment for catching these trout are varied. You can use spinning gear, baitcasting gear or flyfishing gear. They can be caught by still fishing, casting or drifting, from shore, bridge or boat.
'Live shrimp is the bait of choice for most trout fishing, however if you are going for a trophy-sized fish, live small fish are a better choice. These are usually fished below a popping cork. Dead bait such as mullet strips, shrimp and pinfish can be fished much the same way as live bait.
Artificials which take numerous trout can include silver or gold spoons, plastic tail grubs, bucktail jigs and plugs. Fly fishermen use a variety of popping bugs and streamer flies.
'Seatrout can hit with a strong force and the first instinct is to set the hook hard. Don't do it! They have a relatively soft mouth which tears easily. Set the hook gently and don't try to winch them in.'
'The fish prefers water temperatures in the 65 to 75 degree F. range. They can be found in just about any inshore or near shore waters. From the surf and jetties, grass flats and shell banks to inland coastal rivers. The average fish ranges in size from 14" to 20" and can weigh from about a pound up to five pounds. Larger fish can be found, and the world record is 17 pounds 7 ounces.
'The methods and equipment for catching these trout are varied. You can use spinning gear, baitcasting gear or flyfishing gear. They can be caught by still fishing, casting or drifting, from shore, bridge or boat.
'Live shrimp is the bait of choice for most trout fishing, however if you are going for a trophy-sized fish, live small fish are a better choice. These are usually fished below a popping cork. Dead bait such as mullet strips, shrimp and pinfish can be fished much the same way as live bait.
Artificials which take numerous trout can include silver or gold spoons, plastic tail grubs, bucktail jigs and plugs. Fly fishermen use a variety of popping bugs and streamer flies.
'Seatrout can hit with a strong force and the first instinct is to set the hook hard. Don't do it! They have a relatively soft mouth which tears easily. Set the hook gently and don't try to winch them in.'
Good advice, here's what one looks like:
Oh, and tight lines!
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