They were down a little in the spring and then didn’t care for the ultra hot summer weather, but came on strong later. This ensures a larger population of larger trout for the winter fisherman. They arrived early and stayed late. Weather Underground (www.wunderground.com) is pretty good for inshore fishing. With a lifetime of experience fishing the waters of Eastern North Carolina, Captain Scooter Lilley has been a professional guide for over 20 years. Winter Speckled Trout Fishing……Video T he winter Speckled Trout season is in full swing so we went to one of the best in the business when it comes to Trout fishing and that was Topsail Island, NC’s, Captain Lee Parson for his advice. Speckled trout are abundant year-round and tend to congregate in the upper extremities of our deeper creeks in their traditional wintering grounds. In 2 to 2 1/2 years those will be slot fish and in four years they should reach 30-32 inches and begin to spawn too. These adjustments are largely driven by the feeding habits and the movement of bait that the Spec depend on for feeding. The water was 4 to 4 1/2 degrees warmer this far back in the marsh and the fish were aggressive. In January, we go full-swing Striper Fishing on the Lower Roanoke near Plymouth, NC. Specks and pups are biting. Last year’s mild winter was great for the trout, and all anglers are hoping for another one to keep this fishery thriving. One of my favorite methods for catching speckled trout is using a popping cork, which clicks when you retrieve it. ing surplus trout in select impoundments across central and western North Carolina this month. These fish prefer low-light conditions and leave the shallow waters when the sun rises. They were hitting lures with enough thump it wasn’t difficult to tell you had a strike. In early spring these fish disperse throughout the sound and get ready to breed. Use the Public Mountain Trout Waters Search to locate a great new place to fish for trout in the mountains of North Carolina or learn more about the rules and regulations of trout fishing. Give the fish time to warm a little and react. There is a wide variety of colors that can be productive such as chartreuse, dark green, or white. Cast out the bobber and lure and, after the water settles, give it a couple quick snaps. Don’t give up, but use what you know about fish and the weather to plan fishing trips at the optimum times. The bigger fish are being caught in the creeks, near the inlets, and in the surf. There were also some genuine gator trout in the mix. Hey guys! Speckled trout are among the most-popular of all inshore saltwater fish in North Carolina waters. Two days is a start, but three or more days is better. We had some cold weather in early December that dropped the water temps to below 50 degrees for a week or two and their activity slowed. ON THE LINE. Scent may be the thing that seals the deal and gets a fish to chase something, so we have an advantage now that wasn’t available 30 years ago. These fish are a blast to catch on light- to medium-weight tackle. Look for periods of sunny, warmer weather. Winter Inshore Fishing (Wilmington NC) Red Fish, Speckled Trout & Flounder. A good inshore fishing report can mean the difference between a few bites here and there, and a day that you'll never forget. His writing features this area prominently, but he has fished and written about the East Coast from Virginia to Florida, the Gulf Coast, California, Alaska and several of the Great Lakes in the U.S., plus several countries in Central America and several Caribbean Islands. Just a little ways in, the creek was 1 to 2 degrees warmer than at its mouth. Fishing in the winter months, if the fish are holding at four feet, set your popping cork to hold your jig at 3’10”. An exposed creek in the open marsh can come alive with the sun’s warming. Many weather prognosticators are happy if they are correct more than half the time. This allows the sun to shine on the lower water and exposed bottom and banks for several hours. As fall’s temperatures begin to drop, our fishing heats up along the inner banks of NC! Conner Grimes, 11, a sixth-grader from Hobbton, caught this early morning New River speckled trout last March. Weather underground is easily better than that. Look for deep holes close to these spots or try the shade of the local bridges. OBX, NC. Watch later. There were 31 and 33 inchers reported as released. He has been on staff at Carolina Adventure, North Carolina Sportsman and South Carolina Sportsman Magazines and his byline has appeared in several other magazines and newspapers. Saltwater The annual fall trout run is underway. Look for speckled trout … The specks had moved out of the deepest holes and were feeding in 2 to 4 feet of water. To encourage trout growth, fishing is limited to catch and release from October to June. That cold, overcast, gloomy weather that makes fishermen dull and moody does the same to the fish. Well, with the unusual winters we... PointClickFish.com is a network of captains, anglers, companies, and avid outdoorsmen and women. Watch the winter weather and tide tables like a hawk. Hard-bodied baits such as MirrOlures™ can entice savage strikes. 1/6. A year ago the temperature was dropping and many creeks, shallow bays and more were freezing. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries responded to numerous calls regarding the trout stuns and kills and found them stunned or dead and floating. Anglers are catching limits of good-sized fish to 22 inches. Research shows that some fish may move to the Gulf to escape blowing northers, but this is temporary, and the fish return once weather abates. The majority of all trout fishing in North Carolina is in the mountains. Friday, December 16, 2016 Winter Tactics for Spotted Seatrout in NC The popularity of winter speckled trout fishing in Eastern North Carolina has risen drastically over the past decade and has become one of the most popular inshore fisheries in the Tar Heel State. A year ago the temperature was dropping and many creeks, shallow bays and more were freezing. Two oval-shaped bobbers bounced on the New River’s surface during the outflowing morning tide. There are a few things fishermen can do to locate warmer water. Other huge fish were released. 2018 was a very good year for old drum in the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River. This part 1 of his great series on Winter Trout Fishing. Tap to unmute. Look for speckled trout along the edges of the marsh at this time. Make it behave like a shrimp. • No bait restrictions. You can open a map and zoom to the selected water once you have made a list of locations or save … Kellum, the “Speckled Specialist,” catches trout in the New River and its tributaries year-round, but the fishing is usually best in the fall and early winter when the water begins to cool. Although many speckled trout move into deeper water during cold weather, there is no scientific evidence of a winter migration to the Gulf. The first day of warmer sunny weather after a cold front or winter low pressure makes fish and fishermen feel better. Anglers refer to such fish as “stunted.”Surveys showed less than 10 percent of crappie were reaching the 8-inch minimum keeper size.Three years ago, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s surveys showed less than 10 percent of crappie were reachin… All this is important as there are days a warming of only a half to one degree makes the difference between fishing and catching. There are qualifications to make this call and all of them were met, so Murphey had no choice but to do it. I've been working on some cool stuff for y'all coming soon!! Spawning occurs at night, often around piers, pilings, bridges, points of land, and holes, and it frequently coincides with a full moon. However, with four days of sunshine each week and highs in the upper 50’s and 60’s, the water has warmed back to the mid 50’s and they are feeding regularly again. Typically, the water is warmer the farther you are from the main body of the river, large creek or Intracoastal Waterway. That was long enough ago there weren’t scents available for baits. Fishing around low tide into the first hours of the rising tide helps too, especially in areas with larger tide changes. The closure protected the first half of the spawn and it worked. The following regulations apply: • Seven (7) trout per day creel limit. This is an easy technique that will produce results for anglers of all skill levels. Bottom fishing the surf is producing sea mullet and spot. Cast there! But if you don’t continuously move it, the jig will sink and only have the motion of the current to move it. If that foul demon work still gets in your way for fishing time, plan ahead to make the most of the time you can go. They’ll be 14 to 18 inches next year and will be spawning. We picked our way another mile or so through the marsh to where there are some extensive flats, with holes ranging to 10 feet deep nearby. Both. TESTIMONIALS. The fall is a great time to target Speckled Trout, Redfish, Striped Bass, and White Perch near Swan Quarter, North Carolina. As always, this call met with mixed reviews. These beautiful, tasty fish are hard fighters who are willing to hit both live and artificial baits. In addition, two colors that I always use are 'salt and pepper' or 'rootbeer' tipped with green tails. Look for them in holes just outside the breakers at dawn. See also: Trout Fishing … In addition, grassy flats can be a ton of fun with top-water baits, especially on low-light summer days. CONTACT. What type of Angler Are You? Charter Captain GALLERY. Patience is a virtue! The noise will attract feeding trout to your bait. The second day the fish are more active and begin feeding and this improves again on the third day. ABOUT. Those 10 to 13 inch specks are the young of the year. The fishing varies form days that aren’t so good to days that are really good. What a difference a year makes. More. Rippled water will cool quicker than calm water and a brisk wind is uncomfortable to fishermen. Knowing a 25 inch speck will weigh around 5 pounds, it’s easy to realize those were big trout. In early spring these fish disperse throughout the sound and get ready to breed. He said the cooling water triggers trout to feed and makes them easier to catch, and they’re usually larger in the fall. He said the fish will expend energy to chase a smaller bait when they won’t chase a large one. It also affects the accuracy and distance of casts. Fishing Team © 2021 SOUNDSIDE ADVENTURES • Manteo, NCOuter Banks Fishing Charters. North Carolina maintains a 14-inch limit that ensures that most of the females will have an opportunity to spawn at least once before we can keep them. They haven’t quit biting, they just need a little more coaxing and a good fishing plan. Where to Fish for Speckled Trout Some trout winter in the ocean and some go to the brackish creeks that empty into the western side of the sounds of the Outer Banks. Some trout winter in the ocean and some go to the brackish creeks that empty into the western side of the sounds of the Outer Banks. • Basic state fishing license required. Use any of these colors alone or with tails of contrasting colors. This family derived its name from the drumming sound that they produce through their air bladder. Look at the national weather maps and regional forecasts. There were fishermen who supported it and fishermen who said it wasn’t needed, especially in their area. ❝Speckled trout or specks (technically, Spotted seatrout) are a favorite catch of saltwater anglers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This year has been on fire in regards to the numbers and quality of fish being caught. Last winter’s freeze didn’t affect puppy drum as badly as it did specks, but it’s never good when weather conditions stun and kill fish. Speckled trout have a long spawning season that lasts from April to September. But for anglers who want more, there are waters to fish almost any time of the year. Jerry Dilsaver has been fishing since he was a child and writing about fishing, hunting and the outdoors since 1986. Winter Speckled Trout Tactics For Fly & Light Tackle ... NC. Fishing Guide If you see bait jumping out of the water, you can expect to find trout there. NC Speckled Trout Fishing has 9,232 members. Sorry it has been awhile since my last video. Southeastern North Carolina is blessed with some awesome winter fishing for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Striped Bass. Share. There were speckled trout stuns and kills and in a few places it was bad enough there were also red drum kills. He is from Southport-Oak Island, N.C. and continues to live there in semi-retirement. Recently I fished a marsh creek that runs off a bay in the lower Cape Fear River. • Trout may be harvested year-round. The good trend continues on subsequent warm, sunny days, just not to the same degree. You should get pretty good at seeing generalities of how weather systems move. And the Pattern Breakers Be gentle because specks have a soft mouth that easily tears. Speckled trout, red drum (a.k.a redfish) and flounder are available to just about any fisherman with a boat. Tidal currents, wind currents, and flowing creeks are all good places to fish. When the bobber goes under, reel tight to the fish, and then lightly set the hook. Weather also makes a difference. Use top water baits with a 'walk-the-dog' retrieve. Chartreuse and white clouser minnows are effective patterns for flys. Meet Your Captain. CHARTERS. Speckled Trout is nearly always a great wintertime fish. If the temperature warms several degrees, the intensity of the bite may ratchet up significantly. This search can help you locate Public Mountain Trout Waters and show you which regulatory classifications apply. Find a weather predictor you trust and pay attention. So, when you pop the popping cork, the jig jumps up. The trout fell for a Lit’l Fishie lure. They aren’t perfect, but this is weather and it’s an inexact science. Speckled trout are typically more dormant in colder water of winter.” So most of the time in December, speck anglers can motor past the bayous and shallower waters which held lots of trout back in warm months. This example is extreme, but happens in this creek and others like it regularly. Use the click and splash of a popping cork to attract speckled trout from long distances. Just For Fun, Do You Prefer Saltwater or Freshwater? Everything changes when the sun comes out. Use a ¼-oz lead head with some type of rubber body. Puppy drum are in the same area. Freshwater Some of the days with bright sunshine, specks and pups are active and aggressive and bite just like they did in the fall. The pups had come up on the flats to warm up and were grabbing baits and running. The first thing newly appointed DMF Director Steve Murphey had to do was issue a proclamation closing speckled trout season until June 15. Shopping. Speckled trout fishing has remained excellent, but there’s started to be an abundance of undersized fish mixed in with the keepers. The sun shines on more creek bank and exposed bottom surface at low tide and warms them. At times, you will also find plenty in the ocean. The trout fell for a Lit’l Fishie lure. NC Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Striped Bass Charters | CWW Inshore Charters | United States. Bill Mowery, of Hampstead, NC, wth a speckled trout caught in the New River while fishing with Nathan Bray. Biologists tell us that specks begin to spawn in the spring once the water warms and continue to have batches of eggs into the fall. Biologists tell us specks begin to spawn around 12 inches so some of the ones born early in the spring may have gotten in a batch or two of eggs this year. They were there spawning and as long as they stayed in the sound and river, there should be lots of smaller pups around next year. HOME. Creeks get smaller and shallower and are easier to warm – especially if the bottom is dark and some spots are dry during low tide. There were some 8 pounders scattered about and at least one 10 pounder. For this fun technique, use a jighead and grub or a baited hook on a two-foot piece of 12-pound leader. When the tide is low, there is less water to warm and the fish are concentrated. Speckled trout belong to the drum family, which also includes Black drum, Red drum, and Atlantic croaker. Jennings, of North State Guide Service, reports that speckled trout fishing has been the name of the game in creeks off the Neuse River. Mike, of Native Son Guide Service, reports that speckled trout are biting well, and the fish are in their transition toward winter … Speckled trout are abundant and readily available in the sounds, including those around Nags Head, Manteo, Manns Harbor, and Oregon Inlet. Remember, current NC regs require a speckled trout to be at least 14 inches in length and you can keep 4 per person. We utilize our website, live tournament coverage, radio show, and social media technology to help charters, fishing teams, companies, and anglers stay connected to, and up-to-date with, the fishing community. Fishing soundside has been excellent with speckled trout being the top target. Every winter it seems like there is a topic or two that get talked about more than usual. Capt. From late September into the winter is the prime time to get in on this great speckled trout action. NOTE: We had switched to smaller lures and coated them with Pro-Cure Scent Gel. Carolina Winter Speckled Trout Fishing Is Heating Up, New Hampshire Trophy Fish Program Entries Due by January 31, BigWater Adventures Season 12 Premiere – Tropic Star Lodge, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries To Host Women’s Fishing 101 Workshops, Young Guns Too Crew Breaks Florida Swordfish Record, Southern Kingfish Association Nationals 2020, North Carolina Spanish Mackerel Fishing Tips, HOW TO – Fishing the North Carolina Artificial Reefs. Then it gets cloudy, they aren’t as warm and the bite slows along with their activity level. • Salinity can be a factor in locating trophy trout. Some of the best fishing of the year for these species can occur. Tel: 252.799.9536. Redfish and Black Drum fishing can be incredible in December and January and good thru February. Every tackle shop with a speckled trout tournament was posting fish heavier than 7 pounds leading it. Huge thanks to everyone that puts in the time to check out my videos!! The action in that pocket of warm water was more like October than late December. Somewhere many years ago a successful fisherman recommended downsizing and fishing slower in cold water and it was good advice. Winter Seatrout Tactics March 2, 2018 The popularity of winter speckled trout fishing in Eastern North Carolina has risen drastically over the past decade and has become one of the most popular inshore fisheries in the Tar Heel State.
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