Typical July fishing pattern is still producing speckled trout on Lake Calcasieu. Isolated summertime thunder bumpers can pop up at any time but are gone as quick as they showed up. Captain Guy Stansel tells me that very early in the morning for about an hour rattling topwater baits have been producing some solid 3-to-4-pound trout around the old jetties.  A favorite go to bait this time of the year is live finger mullet rigged Carolina style. Up and down the ship channel catches of trout and redfish have been good most days using live shrimp and hackberry Hustlers rigged under a popping cork. It may be a little warm this time of the year, but the catching can be hotter. Call Tanya at 888.762.3391 and let her hook you up.

 

 

Check out these photos from last week and you can see them all by clicking here:
Click here to see our online photo gallery.

WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL DISCOUNT FISHING DAYS LEFT  IN  OCTOBER
(BUT NOT VERY MANY)These very popular days always book very quickly so call now and do not get shut out.

ALL MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS IN OCTOBER 2021

Toll free 888.762.3391

Opening day
November 13^th thru December 5^th
Split dates
December 18^th thru January 2^nd
Split dates
January 10^th thru January 30^th

TEAL SEASON
 

Don’t look now but 2021 Teal season is just around the corner. That’s right it opens September 11th are runs through September 26th.  Don’t’ miss this opportunity to come enjoy a morning duck and then spend the rest of the day chasing trout and redfish with one of our professional guides. Call Tanya toll free at 888.762.3391 and get hooked up.

Topwater baits often work the coastal marshes from Virginia to Texas. Anglers from all over squint intently at the water’s surface in hopes that their peaceful setting turns into a chaotic disruption.  Whether it’s angered by the lure’s presence or hastily attempting an easy meal, spotted sea trout, or commonly known as speckled trout, leave little to the imagination when it comes to attacking surface plugs. In short, it’s visual and appealing to most anglers. However, outside of euphoria, it’s actually the preferred way by most trout purist to pursue big speckled trout. In the next few paragraphs, let’s explore how to catch speckled trout using topwater baits.
TOPWATER BAIT FOR SPECKLED TROUT
Believe it or not, topwater plugs are extremely versatile. Produced in an array of shapes, colors and sizes (more on that later), their sole reason for existence is to imitate baitfish near the water’s surface. Conversely, big speckled trout, by nature, are highly predacious and opportunistic feeders. As they mature from juveniles, studies have shown a general shift in diet from shrimp to larger finfish, i.e. mullet, pogies and often times other trout. Additionally, as speckled trout grow in size they also begin their pilgrimage to isolate themselves from the safety of schools. This transition, depending on estuary and environmental conditions, can be along shallow flats (knee deep or less) with a bottom texture often composed of seagrass or oysters. For some deeper water estuaries, like the river systems along the east coast, adjacent flats along ledges provide suitable ambush points for big trout to come and go, but a general rule of thumb is the shallower the water the bigger the trout.
Like tools in a toolshed, lures and techniques have specific jobs and topwater baits are no different. They’re productive because they target the very top of the water column in generally shallow water situations. In a more basic sense, they do a great job at imitating clumsy or dying baitfish, thus capitalizing on the fish’s overzealous feeding instinct.

WHEN TO USE TOPWATER BAIT FOR SPECKLED TROUT
Having touched on the why, knowing when to throw topwater baits for trout is also just as important. As contentious as many political discussions, some anglers affiliate with either the “seasonal” or “year round” parties. Seasonal anglers believe that water temperatures (either rising or falling) coincide with months of the year, spawning the phrase “topwater season.” As a general rule of thumb, this is April through June or September through October depending on the estuaries latitudinal line. Conversely, “year round” affiliates believe subtleties in environmental conditions, regardless of calendar and location, dictate a productive topwater bite. 
In other words, a gentle warming trend in January, raising water temps from 49 to 55 degrees, may be just enough to get those big speckled trout from a lethargic to an aggressive state. Notionally, neither vantage point is wrong. Instead, having a better understanding of water temperature as an axis point and knowing baitfish presence, water levels and solunar activity is key. In short, be open minded – the fish will tell you what they want if you’re willing to listen.
SPECKLED TROUT RIGS
Quality gear, as in most obsessive hobbies, can be the difference between success and failure. Targeting trophy speckled trout is no different. The right rod, equipped with a high-performing reel spooled with durable line can lead to more bites and successful attempts at catching sea trout. Baitcast or spincast options are adequate for fishermen based on their angling needs. More often than not 6’6” or 7’ Medium action rods provide plenty enough power to drive the hooks home even on longer casts and give just enough in the rod tip during the fight to avoid pulling the hooks. Most conventional bass tackle is suitable for the transition to saltwater. Higher gear ratio reels like a Shimano Casitas 7.2:1 or Penn Battle II 3000’s provide enough spool capacity without compromising a heavier wait. In other words, the lighter the better. This will increase casting distance while maintaining maximum sensitivity, thus leading to less wary fish and more blow-ups. Suggested line for the task at hand is Suffix 832 braid in 20lb test, 6lb diameter. The lack of stretch braided line provides, maximizes sensitivity and amplifies the power of the hookset. Having said that, the only downside is it’s visible in the water column so a 5 to 7-foot, 15 – 30lb test fluorocarbon leader is recommended. Uni-to-Uni or the FG knot are both highly recommended when tying braided line to a fluorocarbon leader.  
TYPES OF TOPWATER BAITS FOR SPECKLED TROUT
Topwaters, as mentioned, come in an array of shapes, colors and sizes. Oftentimes the best speckled trout lures range from 3 – 6 inches and vary in body type. The top speckled trout lures by brand manufacturer are MirrOlure, Rapala, and Heddon. Of course a myriad of other lure manufacturers produce topwater baits, but personal experience and literature validate their consistency. What separates these baits is their profile and more importantly their audible presence. For example, a Top Pup and She Pup produced by MirrOlure have the exact same profile, but their audible presence varies greatly.     
 The She Pup is much louder than the Top Pup, and is more suitable for windier conditions. Healthier wave conditions constantly move the bait which affords the louder audible presence to match the conditions. The same can be said for the MirrOlure C-Eyes Top Dog and the Heddon One Knocker.
As you can hear, the One Knocker is way more subtle than the Top Dog, which omits a louder, higher pitch. Thus making the Heddon the better choice for calmer, more wary fish. With regards to color, it’s a matter of personal preference. Since silhouette is the greater component to drawing a strike, focus on size, profile and pitch vice color. If you feel color is an important factor, lighter colors for lighter days and water clarity is the general rule of thumb. 
Whether you’re just beginning to learn how to catch speckled trout or are a seasoned charter captain, few anglers would choose another technique overfishing with topwater. Its visual appeal and kinetic response offer the most thrilling way to fish. However, if it has been a technique that has alluded your angling ability, hopefully the aforementioned curtails your learning curve. By garnering the knowledge of why this technique is so effective, it’s only a matter of time before you learn how to fish topwater lures for big, speckled trout. 

 WE ARE GETTING NEW ITEMS ALL THE TIME
CALL TOLL FREE AT 888.762.3391
Or email us at
dockshop@hrandg.com
 
And get a gift certificate for a birthday, anniversary or just for fun

WORLD CLASS FISHING IN COSTA RICA

Access Maverick’s brand new website  maverickcostarica.com
Contact:
   Christian Rojas
   christian@maverickcostarica.com
   Fishing Director & Tour Manager
   Toll Free: 866-888-6426

 

CAJUN CASSEROLE

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh (hot) pan sausage
• 2 cans whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 peeled eggplant, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large bell pepper, chopped
• 3 or 4 medium zucchini, sliced in rings

Instructions

Brown sausage in large frying pan. Add the following: eggplant, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini. Smother down, then transfer to a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle a lot of Parmesan cheese on top. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

*You could also use shrimp or crawfish. It is great either way.