Finding big specks in February on Sabine Lake

Where can you find big trout at this time of the year in Sabine Lake? Adam Jaynes, Just Fish Sabine Guide Service and a frequent contributor to Sabine Lake Hot Spots says, “Look for baitfish action.”

“There are all the usual locations likely to hold big trout at this time of the year, but the fish simply won’t be there if there are no baitfish in the area,” Jaynes said. “They just won’t be in the same traditional locations on any given day.

As for lures, Jaynes uses Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, Egret Baits’ 4-inch Kick A Mullet Jr. and the Corky Fat Boy.

“All the hard baits I work are mullet imitators, and I use suspension plugs when I observe not much surface activity,” Jaynes said “I retrieve the Kick A Mullet very meticulously, slow-rolling it, and let that rattling tail push water by swaying it back and forth. I’ll often count out the seconds — sometimes up to four, letting it fall and then working it with slow twitches.

“The Corky is one of those baits that you can have a tendency to overwork in cold waters, but it is also one that you can walk the dog with, as well.”

“I use plastics as locator lures to find speckled trout,” he said. “I am especially fond of Egret Baits’ 5-inch Wedgetail Mullets — especially the Limeaid color. I’ll fish the Wedgetail on 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jigheads so it can fall slowly and easily be worked over shell and mud flats.”

When turning to hard baits, however, there’s one piece of equipment that shouldn’t be under-appreciated, the fishing rod.

“I use a Sarge Free Bird Custom, which weighs just 2 ½ ounces. Since it’s so light, I can feel the most-subtle taps or bites these big fish give, especially in cold water.” He uses 30-pound FINS Windtamer braided line with a 4-foot-long leader of 30-pound Berkley Big Game monofilament. “Including leaders adds stretch to prevent fish from pulling off on the strike and when making runs.”