How To Catch Trophy Fall Trout

Are you missing out on catching big trout right now? Fall is not known as the top time of year for big trout but if you know where to look it can be for you.

Here are three ways to catch trout way bigger than most are catching chasing birds on the main bay.

Bayou Purge: When the first and second significant cold fronts hit the Gulf Coast, bayous purge the marsh of shrimp and other baitfish. Anglers that can get there as soon as the water right at daily after the front pushes through can score on big specks. Big fall trout tend to feed early during these scenarios so punctuality is key. Using a casting combo for pinpoint accuracy throw a shrimp imitation into any newly formed slicks you might see, swirls in the water, and around skipping shrimp.

We are not talking catching 30-inch lifetime fish here but otherwise big fish that range from 22-27 inches typically and they will gorge themselves on shrimp during this period. Throwing shrimp imitations and reeling them quickly along the surface is another great strategy as well as fishing your favorite topwater.

The new St. Croix Triumph Inshore 7’ medium-light power, moderate action casting rod (TRIC70MLM) is great for this application as it is a perfect option for pinpoint casting with lighter plastics and even slightly larger baits like Corkys or topwaters.

Slow Drifting: There are bigger trout on the main lake than you might think but you have to get down to them. Using a drift sock to move slowly through schools of shrimp.

A drift sock can be an invaluable tool by enabling you to drift far slower than you would under normal circumstances. They were first used by walleye fishermen up north but are in the boats of many local anglers who know the importance of slowing down to catch big specks.

 

Drift slowly through the feeding action or simply around baitfish you have located and fish with lures that stay close to the bottom like a Gulp or soft plastic on a jighead fished on a ¼-ounce jighead. The bigger fall trout tend to stay closer to the bottom-most of the time on the main bay so make sure and keep contact with the bottom as you drift. Of the three strategies shared here, this is the least likely to get you a 25-inch or better fish (although it’s possible) but you have a great shot at catching numerous fish measuring more than 20 inches.

Imitating Trout: When choosing topwater or other hard plastic lures consider ones that closely mimic the patterns of a speckled trout. Consider that big trout are attracted to small trout feeding not just to eat on what they are eating but to eat on them. A trout colored topwater which is rarely fished on the Texas coast could help you score on monster specks A quality medium-light power, moderate action rod like the aforementioned St. Croix Triumph Inshore is optimal for this tactic.

My favorite places to fish these are along bait-rich riprap, retaining walls, and other shoreline areas where there are lots of scattered sand trout and smaller trout feeding. The best spots are in locations where you have deep water access as the bigger trout like to trade from deep to shallow throughout the day.

You will likely get hit by a fair amount of smaller fish but there are big ones down there for anglers willing to grind it out.

Chester Moore

Check out the new St. Croix Inshore Casting Rods here.