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

[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.

[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]

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)

[lurefisher]

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

I use 12 # andie then blood knot to 20 vanish shock leader as long as the pole then loop knot to top water ,when you swich to assisn take topwater off and tie on swivel and a short 20 # leader and loop knot to assisn/.

[Hogie70]

I use 12 lb big game no leader no swivel or quick clips... Just tie straight to the line nothing fancy,keep it simple... I really don't think there is a wrong way just whatever works for you... Lots of good info here from alot of good anglers...

[Gilbert]

I use 12 lb big game no leader no swivel or quick clips... Just tie straight to the line nothing fancy,keep it simple... I really don't think there is a wrong way just whatever works for you... Lots of good info here from alot of good anglers...

that's what I use to do before I switched to braid. 12# big game was and still is a winner.

[ubermensch1324]

that's what I use to do before I switched to braid. 12# big game was and still is a winner.

Looks like I'm gonna move down to 12 # test from 20. Thanks!

Also, does 20# test cause more backlashes than 12# test on bait casting reels (I'm using a curado)? Curious if me switching down to 12# will help me get a few less tangle-up's, although, the wind was blowing 10-15 mph into me yesterday .

[Reef Drifter]

Looks like I'm gonna move down to 12 # test from 20. Thanks!

Also, does 20# test cause more backlashes than 12# test on bait casting reels (I'm using a curado)? Curious if me switching down to 12# will help me get a few less tangle-up's, although, the wind was blowing 10-15 mph into me yesterday .

never tried it on a curado, mine are both spooled with 10# vanish and i never have a problem unless its an operator error lol

[Milkjug]

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?

I hear ya. I do think that the trout in the surf, probably stay in the surf though. Just based on numbers alone, there are more trout in the bays during the warm months, and less (although they do congregate more in certain areas like deep reefs) during the colder ones.

If the surf trout went into the bays during the winter, they would be packed with fish.

I think that there are "resident" bay trout that stay all year, and bay trout that enter with the bait influx around April, then leave come December or so. Surf trout are close in during the Summer, and go somewhere else, maybe offshore or further South during the Winter.

This is just a hypothesis based on the seasonal patterns I have seen, no real solid data.

[ubermensch1324]

I hear ya. I do think that the trout in the surf, probably stay in the surf though. Just based on numbers alone, there are more trout in the bays during the warm months, and less (although they do congregate more in certain areas like deep reefs) during the colder ones.

If the surf trout went into the bays during the winter, they would be packed with fish.

I think that there are "resident" bay trout that stay all year, and bay trout that enter with the bait influx around April, then leave come December or so. Surf trout are close in during the Summer, and go somewhere else, maybe offshore or further South during the Winter.

This is just a hypothesis based on the seasonal patterns I have seen, no real solid data.

That's interesting Milkjug.

Is is the general consensus among experienced anglers that the bays hold more trout during the warmer months than the surf? Also, how is bay fishing in the winter compared to the summer and what, if any, are the main differences? Bait, conditions, location, etc.?

It seems that this record heat we are having is producing more wind than usual, which is why I'm looking to fish the bay for some protection. Thanks!

[Milkjug]

Oh man, the stuff you are asking about could fill up a book

Bays always hold trout through the year and are more consistant producers (less conditions-dependent). Can't say they hold more in the summer, the surf is a big place.

Bay fishing is a different game in the Winter. Much less bait in the bays during the winter, and more of it is large mullet, less small fish and shrimp. A mullet jump or two will make me stop and fish in the winter, but wouldn't garner much attention in the summer. Trout are often deeper around mud and shell, less around shorelines, coves, and grass (summer pattern). They are often concentrated in these areas during the winter, and you can hammer if you get it right. Another nice thing about the winter is that there is often a good afternoon bite (sun warms the shallow mud and the trout come in), compared to the summer, where the am is often best (too hot and sunny during the afternoon).

[ubermensch1324]

Oh man, the stuff you are asking about could fill up a book

Bays always hold trout through the year and are more consistant producers (less conditions-dependent). Can't say they hold more in the summer, the surf is a big place.

Bay fishing is a different game in the Winter. Much less bait in the bays during the winter, and more of it is large mullet, less small fish and shrimp. A mullet jump or two will make me stop and fish in the winter, but wouldn't garner much attention in the summer. Trout are often deeper around mud and shell, less around shorelines, coves, and grass (summer pattern). They are often concentrated in these areas during the winter, and you can hammer if you get it right. Another nice thing about the winter is that there is often a good afternoon bite (sun warms the shallow mud and the trout come in), compared to the summer, where the am is often best (too hot and sunny during the afternoon).

Ha ha, thanks Milkjug! I know I'm asking a lot but I think anyone would after getting skunked the past few times .

[Robalo]

Spring summer and fall is bait heaven-lots of bait-menhaden, mullet and shrimp have annual migration patterns-so do fish-water temp and daylight length trigger mass migrations/spawning just like planting seasons.

As far as consumption advisories, yes, they are true and most bad stuff is absorbed and held in the body fat of the fish and the fat is nearest the skin on trout, so leave a small sliver of meat against the skin and you'll be fine-look at me-I am in perfect health-260#s, bald, can't run 10 yards w/o needing another cig or oxygen, drink in mass quantities, deaf in one ear, blind, work 10 hour days, take meds to sleep and meds to stay awake, all good---sheeit-I'm a chick magnet and have fillets to feed em with. Oh, and over 50.

[XtremeAngler]

Spring summer and fall is bait heaven-lots of bait-menhaden, mullet and shrimp have annual migration patterns-so do fish-water temp and daylight length trigger mass migrations/spawning just like planting seasons.

As far as consumption advisories, yes, they are true and most bad stuff is absorbed and held in the body fat of the fish and the fat is nearest the skin on trout, so leave a small sliver of meat against the skin and you'll be fine-look at me-I am in perfect health-260#s, bald, can't run 10 yards w/o needing another cig or oxygen, drink in mass quantities, deaf in one ear, blind, work 10 hour days, take meds to sleep and meds to stay awake, all good---sheeit-I'm a chick magnet and have fillets to feed em with. Oh, and over 50.

and a t sip

[XtremeAngler]

I hear ya. I do think that the trout in the surf, probably stay in the surf though. Just based on numbers alone, there are more trout in the bays during the warm months, and less (although they do congregate more in certain areas like deep reefs) during the colder ones.

If the surf trout went into the bays during the winter, they would be packed with fish.

I think that there are "resident" bay trout that stay all year, and bay trout that enter with the bait influx around April, then leave come December or so. Surf trout are close in during the Summer, and go somewhere else, maybe offshore or further South during the Winter.

This is just a hypothesis based on the seasonal patterns I have seen, no real solid data.

Could be. I'm really curious. I always thought that in winter most fish just move to the deepest part of the bays in the warmest water and hug the bottom. Who knows though