Trout Drifting
On Tuesday, February 15, Captain TJ Christensen drifted with Robert E. and guests on day-2 over deep shell in ESB with TTF lures. Scores of trout 50-60 were landed and released using white chartreuse TTK tipped with 1/8-oz classic killer wide gap jig heads. Captain Harold Dworaczyk drifted scouted with his family members while using bait. They only found a few fish for their efforts. According to Captain Harold, red fish action was much slower today.
Trout Mode
Anglers looking for a trophy trout should be less concerned with the color of the water and more focused on bait in the area. This time of year, water color isn’t as important as bait. Even if you see one piece of bait, stop the boat and investigate further.Whether I am working the back lakes, coves or drains, I will be looking for fish to be holding over mud. We concentrate on mud bottom this time of year. Mud is like a solar panel in that it soaks up heat and releases it throughout the night and day. Fish will naturally stay close to that mud bottom. Stay away from sand this time of year; it doesn’t hold as much heat. Concentrate on mud and shell. Shell also gives protection or cover to small baitfish. And, of course, if the bait is hiding in the shell, trout will be hanging around. Tide and water height will be critical in determining where our clients fish during the second month of the year. If we have high tide, go way back in the lakes. If the water is low, fish the drains coming out of the lakes. One thing we like to do when there is a high tide is to fish the windward shoreline of the back lakes. The water will be off colored for the most part, but there will be a lot of bait being driven against the shore.
Red Focus
Anglers looking for red fish should key on the same basic elements-shell, mud and bait, but they need to look a little shallower. Red fish are hardier than trout, and aren’t as affected by cool water. They will generally be a little bit shallower than trout, so hit the shallower back lakes and shorelines. If it starts warming, look for them on sand a lot of times this time of year traveling in the bayous and channels, following bait fish from one lake to the next. If it gets warm, they’ll come up on the flats close to these channels. Solitude is also an earmark for success in February. Get away from other boats, be extra quiet and fish slow. We have some of the coldest days of the year in February. You hate to be having a career day on big specks and have to leave because you’re too cold. It’s happened. Layer your clothing, wear a stocking hat and gloves, and keep comfortable. Also, always wear a belt around your waders to keep them from filling up if you happen to fall. The more comfortable you are, the longer you’ll be able to fish.
