When you dont know ASK

[westbaytroutassasin]

Guys you all know I fish a lot. I have my good day and my bad like anyone else. But when you cant correct things yourself im a firm believer in just asking. My red action is always on. I most always boat at least 2-3 tournament level reds with every outing. Usually pick up a nice flatty too. But my trout limits are just not there. Its not my locations its me. I use the same baits as anyone of us change my presentations constantly but I have been using nothing but 1/8-1/4 jigs on all my plastics. Do you think I need to lighten up? 1/16oz to slow the drop. Why am I coming up short. I also only use 30#braid with a 3' mono shock with a braid to mono knot as I do not like barrel swivels. Do you think my leader line is spooning my trout. It just plain old mono. Should I try an ultra clear shock? Gimme some help here guys. Im lucky here lately to boat 4 average trout. No bragging fish since early july with that fluke 33".

[coachlaw]

I'd say if you caught a 33, it's time to just quit. It really can't get any better, can it?

I don't usually target specks here unless I'm fishing under lights. In La. I do and I do pretty well, but I'm all old school. I use tandem rigged cocahoe minnows or sparkle beetles in different colors to suit the conditions. Why tandem? 2 reasons. Lots of times, you miss a fish as they strike short. With two, you double your chances. The second reason is the most obvious: Catching 2 at a time is loads of fun. I do these naked or even under a cork. Yes, I know cocahoes are swimming baits, but sometimes the trout like them under a cork when they won't touch a sparkle beetle.

I know most Texans poo poo this as not serious trout fishing, so your mileage may vary. If I can't catch 'em with those I will start experimenting. A DOA shrimp under a cork can be killer too. I don't do topwaters often, so I can't speak to that.

If I'm still completely flummoxed, out comes the silver spoon.

[Old Salt]

Fishing has been extremely poor for me lately. My buddies using live bait or gulf and popping corks are doing a lot better. I usually wade shallow water and throw 99% topwaters.


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[Old Salt]

Gulp not gulf


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[Silver Wolf]

I use a 1/4oz jig head. Went to a 1/8, but couldn't feel it. Went back to 1/4oz. On suspended fish, I use a 4/0 worm hook with no weight. Fish it like a corky. Catches trout and reds. Hope this helps. Lord Bless.
robert

[plugger]

Well , heck , just shoot a corky out there , let it sink to almost the bottom , rip it hard 3 times , let it sink and repeat . If there are any trout there they will eat it .

[westbaytroutassasin]

Thanks plugger thanks robert

[westbaytroutassasin]

Coach im a big believer in the tandem as a matter of fact that 33 was on a tandem midnight sparkle rigged weed less with a 1/16oz slide weight. she nailed it thought it was a red an d almost crapped myself when I saw it was a trout. Im changing a couple of things, went to FTU yesterday and picked up some Norton twist jig heads 1/16 and some new ultra clear 20# flouro for my shock. I've been chasing red tails so much I forgot how to snatch a good trout.

[westbaytroutassasin]

Salt it has slowed down no doubt. Im sure a lot of reasons are causing it there is no way to put it on any one thing I don't think. We did have a relatively light summer considering so maybe we will see those fat girls more in the cool months. I have my fingers crossed.

[FlyPelican]

Educate me on why you don't like barrel swivels? That's all I use and might be why I'm not catching much.

[Xpress89]

IDE like to see that 33" er again

[Hogie70]

Correction

IDE like to see that 25" er again

[Baby Tran Cat]

I'm just like you...specs give me fits...I primarily fish flats so maybe that's why...

[svs]

Correction

Bwaaaaaaa, what he said!

[westbaytroutassasin]

Pelican
Its a personal preference more than anything. I used to always use them all the time and then I started rigging using a mono to braid knot that I really like and its very strong and allows me to put a very long shock leader. Witch gives my braid a very nice stretch and feel of the lure and bite. A few friends and I fished together quit a lot and I personally got more strikes and fish than they did on every outing. We fished thr same baits same spots type rods the only difference was I had a 3' leader with no swivel. So I was committed ever since. Ive seen an article or two on the subject some say no some yes but if a trout can see you mono why wouldnt be reasonable to see that swivel? It does help in the weeds too.