Need some advice from experienced anglers - trout fishing in the bay vs. gulf

[XtremeAngler]

my post may be misleading. the 22 lb test is the size of the quick clips. I use 12 lb P-line with a 20 lb fluorocarbon shockleader (double uni knot so you can reel it up past the rod guides)

[corndog]

12lb ande-----blood knot to 5' of 20lb test-----small swivel ---- 12" 20lb test---loop knot--- lure/jig---- fish more---more fish---more fun

[XtremeAngler]

I use norton quick clips in 22lb test with the swivel. Only ever had one break on me, and it was a bull red. They do start to wear after a while though so just keep an eye on it. I love them. If I want to try a topwater for 10 mins to see if they will eat it, I can have my jig off and shedog on in 5 seconds. It takes me longer to get it out of the box.

[XtremeAngler]

Many people pay no heed, but there is a consumption advisory on bay trout (I would be especially cautious of the ones N. of the causeway). Surf trout: eat up, feed 'em to your kids, whatever.

Not trying to open a can of worms, but I disagree. I fished with Mike Mcbride and he told me they did some study down south (Port A or Rockport or somewhere down there) where they tagged trout and released them. I can't remember the time frame, but they found trout as far as 20 miles away from the release point. That's why I think the consumption advisory is bogus. You may have a few resident fish but trout move around. Do those surf trout live in the surf all year, even during the winter?

It's a flounder up the Houston Ship Channel I would be worried about eating.

[Curmudgeon]

Good info from everybody!
I'd definitely step down to 12# mono like Robalo said. I do like using a 20# flouro leader on my rig with a swivel tied between them. Spook jrs & skitterwalks can work all day if it's smooth. Lighten up the jigheads and learn to tie a loop knot. I wade the surf in water sandals or fishing shoes. If you really need a meat haul, I'd reccomend live shrimp, but fishing with lures is so much more fun.
Good luck

[Reef Drifter]

Go to a 12# mono test line-clear is preferred. I use Ande-cheap and good. Use 1/8 jigheads, not 1/2 oz. and get rid of all snap swivels-first good fish you catch will tear it open and you'll lose it.
Good luck and good fishing.

x2 , 20 lb is a little much and snap swivels are crap Good Luck !

[Robalo]

Go to a 12# mono test line-clear is preferred. I use Ande-cheap and good. Use 1/8 jigheads, not 1/2 oz. and get rid of all snap swivels-first good fish you catch will tear it open and you'll lose it. Surf when hot cannot be beat for fast action. Evenings and mornings are best for flats fishing -same with surf if not rough or off color. Try a johnson silver spoon sometimes. Change your retrieves on you plastics and try different depths/retrieves and make sure your bait is on right-if it twists while retrieving that aint good-ya want it to imitate a minnow-not a stunt plane doing loops and barrel rolls.

Good luck and good fishing.

[Milkjug]

Yeah, just your normal jig. 1/16-1/4oz saltwater assassin screwlock with a gulp is what I like. I don't bother with tandem stuff. If they are on, one lure will do just fine. Plus having a hooked fish swinging around the other lure could get you stuck. Not to mention the extra time to re-rig if you break off.

Today's bigger trout came on a gulp "lump" (swimming mullet with the tail already bit off).

Finding the fish is the biggest challenge. Good luck.

[Gilbert]

don't use a leader if you are fishing with mono already. just tie the lure on with a loop knot.

[ubermensch1324]

are you fishing with 20# mono or braid?

Thanks for the reply Gilbert.

I'm fishing with 20 pound mono light blue clear color. Going out to the galveston surf today and starting off with the super spook jr. somewhere around 61st street. Can't wait to try out the new advice and will be keeping ya posted when I get back! Let me know if you think I should be using a leader, and if so I'll rig it up!

[ubermensch1324]

Yep, barham got it. Surf is only comfortably fishable on occasion, and only from ~June-October. Get it while you can!

Also, when it's hot, it's hot. The action can be very fast. I have actually never limited in the bays on trout, but have several times in the surf.

The surf-run specks seem to fight harder too.

Many people pay no heed, but there is a consumption advisory on bay trout (I would be especially cautious of the ones N. of the causeway). Surf trout: eat up, feed 'em to your kids, whatever.

Lastly, there is something nice about not having to wear wading boots, and just clean sand between the toes, no mud.

You can catch 'em on tops all the time, but I still prefer them early (this goes for bay or surf). I am normally throwing jigs by the time the sun is decently up.

Thanks Milk Jug.

When you say jigs do you just mean something like a single 5" salt water assassin tied directly to your line or do you tandem rig them, etc.? What types of jig heads do you usually prefer? Thanks again for the solid advice...tight lines!

[Gilbert]

are you fishing with 20# mono or braid?

[ubermensch1324]

Man, thank you guys so much for the replies.

Am I going to spook the fish in the surf with a leader so that my top-waters don't tangle themselves on the first hook? If so, what type of leader do you recommend me to use in the surf? Thanks again!

[Gilbert]

its only worth it when the surf is calm enough to fish it.

I would switch down to superspook jrs. Its just a confidence thing but I only like trowing skitters and ss jr's. I will use the big spooks in the surf from time to time but for the most part, its the jr's.

I would lose the swivel and tie direct. Learn how to tie a loop knot and use that. Also go with a lighter jig head. You were probably knocking them out with that heavy jig head and scared them off. lol.

[Milkjug]

Yep, barham got it. Surf is only comfortably fishable on occasion, and only from ~June-October. Get it while you can!

Also, when it's hot, it's hot. The action can be very fast. I have actually never limited in the bays on trout, but have several times in the surf.

The surf-run specks seem to fight harder too.

Many people pay no heed, but there is a consumption advisory on bay trout (I would be especially cautious of the ones N. of the causeway). Surf trout: eat up, feed 'em to your kids, whatever.

Lastly, there is something nice about not having to wear wading boots, and just clean sand between the toes, no mud.

You can catch 'em on tops all the time, but I still prefer them early (this goes for bay or surf). I am normally throwing jigs by the time the sun is decently up.