The speckled trout is to saltwater fishing as the largemouth bass is to freshwater. No other species comes close in terms of angler interest, tackle industry focus and evoking impassioned angler opinions.

There are groups of people wanting to ban the use of live croaker for trout bait, while others insist we must have a slot limit. Friendships have been broken and fights have erupted over these and other trout-related issues. As an outdoor writer, I find myself right in the middle of the controversy. The author’s stance is: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and “don’t do anything to hurt the average fisherman.”

Doug Pike, outdoor editor for the Houston Chronicle, writes, “Texas Trout Tactics is an excellent addition to any coastal angler’s bookshelf. It reads smoothly, like a casual conversation between friends—one of which just happens to know a lot more about speckled trout fishing than the other.”