November 9, 2018

Targeting Trophy Speckled Trout

Chris Bush with The Speckled Truth provides tips for fishing for trophy speckled trout.

Confidence is key when it comes to fishing for trophy trout. Moon phase, tide and time of year are key indicators of when trout will bite. The new and full moon are when you have the greatest solunar activity and that's when the trout will eat more. Tide correlates to the moon phase. The full and new moons typically have higher tides, but in estuaries where you don't have as much tide range, high solunar activity without tidal influence is key.

The Best Time to Fish for Trout

Late fall through early spring in Florida and Texas are great times to fish for trophy trouth. Bigger trout will pull up onto a flat in cooler water. They target mullet during this time. Mullet will pull up on a flat in colder water. The colder, the shallower water you should be targeting.

The Mental Game

You're targeting one specific bite and that's the one from a big speckled trout. Shift your mindset to expecting not to get a bite, so that you don't get discourage too quickly. Maintain your confidence in your ability in terms of technique and in reading the water and solunar activity. Knowing you're in the right spot is a key component to catching big trout. If you aren't getting bait activity in certain locations, that's a key indicator that maybe the fish aren't there. Find a tide source or move to the bay or flats and get them in the feed window where they'll eat. Trout eat in small windows, so you have to capitalize on that time.

Solunar Activity and Trout Fishing

moon phases

Solunar tables are a fisherman's best friend. Solunar periods dictate high rates of activity. The moon in its relationship to the earth, as well as the sun and its pull, are all playing a part in that high solunar activity. If the moon is coming up at the same time as the sun is coming up, you have a moon rise major and these two solunar components impact tide. Moon over head, moon under food and moon set are the three components you want to pay attention to. If those correlate or are in unison with a sunrise or sunset, you'll have your major feeding periods. Paying attention to the solunar components will optimize your time in highly productive areas, which will give you a better chance of catching trophy speckled trout.

8 Tips For More Effective Deer Rattling

By imitating the sound of sparring bucks, you pique the curiosity and aggressiveness of other bucks. And nothing gathers a crowd like a good fight. Of course it's most effective during the peak of rut, when a buck's testosterone levels are also peaking.

Deer, How-To

Latest Content

Toxey Haas's Tips for Brushing in a Duck Blind

Toxey Haas loves to hunt ducks. In these videos, he takes us through his essential kit for brushing in and repairing a duck blind as well as how he prepares his duck blinds every year.

Waterfowl, How-To

Mossy Oak's Woodsman Series is Back

The Mossy Oak Woodsman Series is Back. Rooted in everything core hunters expected from us in the early days, the Woodsman collection is thoughtfully designed, constructed with quality materials, quiet fabrics, sturdy stitching and of course, our timeless camouflage patterns. We're proud to celebrate the core of hunting, woodsmanship, and with seasonal collections on the horizon, we're excited to open the archives, add a few things and re-introduce these classic designs. The Mossy Oak Woodsman

Turkey, Big Game, Small Game, Deer, Waterfowl, Predator, Conservation, Land Management, Gear, Mossy Oak

From the Archive: Deer Calling Tips from the Pros

Originally published in the 1994 Mossy Oak Bowhunting Magazine, this article talks to professionals like Will Primos on calling in deer.

Deer

How a Fistful of Dirt Started a Revolution

"That day was the beginning of a revolution in hunter concealment. It was the beginning of Mossy Oak, America's most effective concealment system."

Turkey, Deer

From the Archive: Ask the Pros! Mossy Oak Experts Answer Key Questions

"Pay attention as Mossy Oak Pro Staffers Will Walker, Mark Drury, Mike Fine and Stan Oakes--archery hunting's A Team--delve deep into the sport for insight and info that only they can provide."

Deer, Bow

From the Archives: Tune-Up Clinic

Originally published in the 1994 edition of Mossy Oak Bowhunting Magazine, this article discusses how to make sure your bowhunting set up is perfect come season.

Big Game, Deer, Bow

From the Archives: Bob Dixon and Steve Burnett on the Art of Mix and Matching Camo

By Terry Madewell, originally published in the 1994 edition of Mossy Oak Bowhunting Magazine As big whitetail bucks are inclined to do, this one had done the unexpected. I'd studied this buck's pattern for a couple of weeks, being extremely careful not to leave any scent in the wrong places. I'd selected a stand site where the dense underbrush funneled into a 40-yard-wide strip. I was sure this was where he would walk and I

Turkey, Big Game, Deer, Waterfowl, Predator, How-To

Fall Foraging: Nuts, Mushrooms, and Fruit

Check out Mossy Oak's foraging mushrooms, nuts and fruit post and learn why fall is the easiest time to forage for Beka Garris.

How-To, Ingredient Wild

How to Use onX to Map Out Your Rut Hunting Plans

Here’s a look at how to use onX Hunt to map out your rut hunting plans in the weeks ahead.

Deer, Land Management, How-To

Field Judging Black Bears

Ask any experienced hunter and they’ll tell you that black bears are among the most difficult big game animals to field judge. Part of that is because they’re far less common than deer, so hunters just don’t get much experience seeing them. And part is just the nature of the beast. Any large, black carnivorous animal will look big, especially if you don’t have something for scale nearby.

Big Game, How-To

Black Bear Season Primer

Hunting tactics can be broken down into several schools of thought. Here's a 101-style overview on what to expect this fall if you're bear hunting for the first time.

Big Game, How-To

3 Hill Country Stand Locations for the Whitetail Rut

These key spots funnel deer into tighter spaces, condensing activity and greatly improving your odds of not just seeing more deer, but filling your tag when it counts most.

Deer

Explore All Posts