Live Shrimp for Speckled Trout

Live shrimp is unbeatable trout bait in terms of all around effectiveness. The cost is relatively high and it can be difficult to keep alive in the summer heat of Galveston Bay, but many anglers will settle for nothing else. There are certain times during the summer months when natural baits will take more speckled trout than artificial baits.

Speckled trout are hard to please eaters who feed on fresh bait, not shrimp that has been frozen for a long period of time or that has a stink to it. Live shrimp works wonders around bay flats, reefs and along the edges of grass and marshes. These are areas where trout are likely to school in large numbers.

As far as some species of fish are concerned the larger the bait, the bigger the fish that is likely to be caught. In the case of speckled trout, however, the bait must be tailored to the waters being fished. Shrimp five to seven inches long make good bait for trout between four to six pounds, or when you are fishing the jetty waters or in passes or channels that hook up the bays to the Gulf of Mexico.

Larger shrimp are less effective in the bay areas. It has been my experience that shrimp about three to four inches are ideal to secure good stringers of trout. Whether you hook the shrimp under the horn or through the next-to-last section of the body, from the tail, depends on the size of shrimp and its stage of life.

Very small shrimp are difficult to hook under the spike. There are also times when the shell is very soft. In both cases, you need to hook the shrimp in the next-to-last part, next to the tail. I prefer to use the latter method at all times. The bait appears more natural and chances are you will not hook the area under the spike (commonly referred to as the brain). Many times, I feel it’s how you present the bait that will make the difference on whether the trout takes it at all. Sometimes try hooking the shrimp under the bottom (or the belly), giving the look of a crippled bait. Other times squeeze the head just enough to crack the shell. This also gives bait a disabled look and the juice will attract the trout due to the smell.

This time of year, be sure and get a early start to the bait camps along the Texas coast. Look for the flags, white in color. Eagle Point Camp in San Leon, always has this product, along with the famous crocker as well.

Speckled trout have extremely large mouths, and when they strike, they usually take the whole bait. But, this doesn’t mean they hold the bait for one or two counts before ingesting it. Many old saltwater anglers believe that trout take the bait headfirst. A lot of times, after a solid hit with live shrimp, the bait appears to be squeezed together (head to tail), giving the impression that trout grab the shrimp from the side rather than headfirst.

“Fresh” dead shrimp is excellent. Try heading and peeling it before putting it on the hook. Suspend the bait under a popping cork about three feet. Hook the entire shrimp through the body. “Jiggle” the rod tip and pop the cork carefully to give it a little action.

Another alternative to live shrimp, and my all-time favorite, is the use of artificial lures.

Successful fishing with these baits is an art that is not acquired by accident. It requires a technique that takes time, patience and practice. Until it’s mastered, this type of fishing can be quite unproductive. But, if the flags are not flying, do not hesitate to using soft plastics like Bass Assassins or Stanleys jigs.

But, regardless, have fun while fishing and enjoy the outdoors.

See Y’all on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Fishing Guide Galveston Bay: http://www.gofishgalveston.com

Live Bait's Best, but Don’t Ignore Plastic Alternative

For some saltwater anglers, the recent shortage of live shrimp in Galveston Bay has put their weekends on hold. Others do not seem to notice.

Keep in mind there are times and places in which live shrimp is a must, but springtime along the Texas coast is not one of them. Hatching of the South Texas brownies along with their migration, sometimes is slowed by Mother Nature.

Fishermen who like to fish for the fun of it, shouldn’t let the absence of the white flag alter their fishing trips.

With a little persistence and some well placed luck, the use of plastic can be every bit as productive as the real thing on speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and maybe almost as good for gafftop and sandtrout.

Live shrimp is a fisherman’s tool, just like his rod and reel or his outboard motor and boat. But sometimes, this tool can be a crutch. Often times, some fishermen are too dependent on live shrimp. Typically, diehard live bait fishermen try the plastic route once or twice. If they are not successful, back to the live well igloo.

There are no guarantees even with a live well full of bugs or hoppers. And don’t give this writer the old adage, the family will go without, unless I bring home the bacon, if that were the scenario, the $12 or more it takes to buy a quart of bait would go much further in a discount food store.

Fishing is fun and part of that fun is being able to fool’em. Time, place and water conditions still matters as much, but you can do so choosing the correct lure and making it wiggle just so.

Granted, this is not easy, but the skills needed for most salt-water applications, come with patience and presentation.

Fishing with plastics is not like open-heart surgery. Experience is the best teacher and your classroom is always open. Soft plastic shrimp and shad imitations are for the most part productive and most user friendly along the Texas Gulf coast. Give me a hand full of jigheads and tails, and this writer will surely have fun fooling a few of the Texas big three. These lures can be worked both horizontally and vertically to cover all the necessary water to attract a surprising variety of fish. Texas big three are the prime targets (trout, redfish and flounder).

The Rat-L-Trap seldom sees salt water action in Texas. If you don’t like this lure and it’s kin. Ask Texas bass fishermen for a recommendation. They are available in many colors and finished with corrosion-resistant hardware and they work on any fish that eats piggy perch or menhaden.

Spoons are a must to carry on the bays of Galveston, but this writer has noticed a real downturn in the numbers anglers throw these days. Man, they can cut through a howling southeast wind like a sharp paring knife. Use ¼ oz-3/4 oz depending on the depth and distance you are trying to cover. A wide body spoon wobbles near the surface, while a narrow body plows more deeply through the water. Many a redfish have been landed with a gold spoon as well as other types of plastic imitation shrimp and shad bodies. You can chunk and wind all day with a spoon.

Mirro-lures, Jumpim’ minnows and Corky’s are among a family of somewhat advanced lures, but there is no single, magic way to work any of them.

Start with a slow steady retrieve and have a fishin’ friend begin with a quick erratic pull. Keep it moving. Let it sit. Try anything. And when a fish hits the plug, try and remember to retrieve it the same way the next time.

The length or weight of my stringer does not measure the success of my personal fishing trips any more. More so, the uncanny ability to fool one speckled trout or redfish on a fake bait.

Remember, have fun outdoors. Good luck and god fishing.

See Y’all on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio