GOING COASTAL by Kelly Groce

Ten Toes Deep

 

WINTER ON THE TEXAS COAST is a special time especially for those in heavy pursuit of an elusive breeder speckled trout. Wading shorelines scattered with Spanish daggers and cactus while keeping your eyes peeled for any kind of bait movement and casting into sandy potholes with a brisk chill in the air is something that only us third coast anglers have the opportunity to experience. The Lower Laguna Madre is known for its world class speckled trout fishery and many travel from all over the globe for a chance at landing one of these mysterious predator fish. When targeting big speckled trout, one word comes to mind; persistence. Some days can be a grind looking for that one bite, but when it happens its pure magic. 

During the winter months, I like to wait until mid-day or the afternoon whenever the sun has risen overhead and warmed the waters a bit. These bigger trout like to feed on large mullet and other finfish that will be more active as the water temps increase a notch or two. Areas with plentiful grass and mud bottoms not only provide a safe haven for baitfish but also keep big predator fish warm. Areas like this make for great speckled trout grounds as well as ones with a slight drop off to deeper, warm water. 

When it comes to gear to use when wading, I reach for the Shimano GLF B Series 6’6” medium fast rod. Shimano designed these all-new GLF B series rods with actions built specifically for anglers tossing artificial lures on the Gulf Coast. They have a shorter rod butt that is ideal for landing fish while wading. Spinning or baitcasting, these rods have the right amount of action to work jigheads, topwaters or swim baits and have enough back bone to stick an over slot fish. 

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Topwaters must be my all-time favorite artificial to use for speckled trout. The Heddon Super Spook and Rapala Skitter Walks are some of my go-tos. We experience a great deal of floating grass on the Lower Laguna Madre and the treble hooks do snag a lot of it resulting in the lure not walking properly. Switching out those trebles for single hooks makes all the difference and still catches fish. The aerodynamic D.O.A. PT-7 is a topwater made of soft plastic with a single 7/0 hook and a rattle inside. You can bomb this lure far and not worry about snagging grass. Historically, bone and pink colored top pieces have been the most successful. 

Pictured with this article is Blaine Anderson of Shimano North American Fishing with his bucket list speckled trout he caught on a Teramar XX 7’0” rod and D.O.A. PT-7 right before sundown while wading a grassy flat with Capt. Brian Barrera out of South Padre Island, Texas. We were slowly working the area and bombing our lures far away as possible. We had a few blow ups and could feel there were giants amongst us. I was about 20’ away from Blaine working my lure, when I heard that unforgettable sound of trout slurping down a topwater. If I had a blindfold on, I would think that someone had thrown a large rock or brick into the water, that’s the best way I can describe it. I heard the deep “whoosh” sound of the fish eating and tail smacking the water. I looked over and saw Blaine’s ear to ear smile. He had traveled from South Carolina to experience our fishery and he hooked up to quite the specimen. A 7 lb. healthy speckled trout that had a very full stomach. I was happy to witness such an incredible moment for him. 

Blaine Anderson of Shimano North American Fishing achieved his goal of catching a breeder speckled trout on a topwater while wading a grassy flat with Capt. Brian Barrera.Blaine Anderson of Shimano North American Fishing achieved his goal of catching a breeder speckled trout on a topwater while wading a grassy flat with Capt. Brian Barrera.
(Photo: Kelly Grace)

 

The combination of the historical freeze of 2021, the number of guide licenses annually distributed, fishing licenses sold to the public and conservation efforts; new limits and regulations on trout came into effect in 2024. The limit is 3 15”-20” speckled trout per person and during a license year, one speckled trout over 28” may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag and one speckled trout over 28” may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag. It is your legal right to keep an oversized speckled trout with proper tagging, but the real reward and trophy is watching that fish swim away. A trout of that caliber can produce as many as 10 million eggs per season, allowing our incredible fishery to continue to flourish. And if a wall mount is what you are seeking, a nice photo, weight and measurement is all you need to send to the taxidermist to have a replica made. 

One thing that is a fact about large trout is that they remain mysterious; hence the reward when landing one. It makes sense to fish deeper, warm water during a frigid day, but they may be on a shallow flat. If a big trout is what you are after, stick to your guns and go with your gut. With persistence and using your “speckled trout” senses, success is bound to reach the end of your line. Enjoy your winter pursuit of the almighty speckled trout.

 

Email Kelly Groce at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

 

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