BAFFIN BAY

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

Capt. Gerrad Merritt

Email Gerad Merritt at GeradMerritt@gmail.com

Visit Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

Fat Winter Specks

LISTEN: (2 Min, 35 Sec)

IT IS THE FIRST FEW MONTHS of the 2024 fishing season and colder weather is leading to lower water temperatures. This means the speckled trout have packed on some pounds! January and February are exciting months for anglers wanting to hit Baffin Bay looking for “the one,” and these waters have been proven time and time again. This is what every serious, speckled trout angler lives for when targeting that one big fish in Baffin Bay. 

When the sun is up and bright, the warmer water temperatures bring fish up shallow to sun themselves. On overcast days, you will find trout in the deeper, warmer water since the temperature in the flats will not rise without sun. 

Make sure when targeting these fish, while wading, to outfit yourself with proper layers of gear to stay warm in the colder waters. If you are not comfortable, you will set yourself back tenfold. 

When we are fishing out of the boat, we will drift the flats and fish the deeper rocks looking for our box fish. While doing this, we also hope to find a once in a lifetime fish for most people. 

The top water wading bite is great this time of year as the sun comes up. As it continues to rise mid-morning, I will switch to swim baits and corkeys, also keeping in mind if something isn’t working, we must switch tactics. 

Live bait is something we are still using, and this time of year and it is live shrimp under a popping cork. We have also had some success in the wind with a slip weight and treble hook. This allows the winds and current to blow the bait and line, while the slip weight stays somewhat on the bottom. This keeps the shrimp off the top of the water, away from birds, and in the zone.

These methods also work in the currents in the Laguna Madre and land cut. We produced some of our biggest fish this past year out there and the fishing is typically solid. When drifting the boat in the bay over the flats, I tend to work my anchor as a drifting tool. Using it in place of a trolling motor to stop and hold the boat when we have a decent bite going. Pulling the anchor allowing it to drag the bottom and mimic a drift sock, allows me to stay on the trail of the fish. 

Good luck this winter!