Tips for Trout  by Captain Rodney Smith 

E-mail:  Capt.Rodney Smith

What seemed to be fourteen billion finger mullet leaped  from the water in unison; my red and white floating mirrolure dropped to the calm surface. Within a blink of the eye, crash, slam, wham, bam, thank you ma’am, the largest spotted sea trout, maybe three feet long, this-side-of-the-planet blasted completely out of the water, yellow mouth wide open, and down on the motionless lure. 

Water flew from my line as the gator trout left the shallow H2O for the safety of a nearby channel.  If I hadn’t known better I would’ve thought I’d hooked a passing truck or maybe a misplaced black marlin.  If this had been an Olympic event, that trout would have been disqualified for steroids.  My heart was pounding, I’d hooked my first gator trout.

Since that memorable day, nearly twenty years has passed, and I have not been able to equal that incredible experience.  In fact, I’m not so sure I’ll ever be able to reproduce the thrill of the trout fishing encounter on that afternoon on the IRL.

Nearly 700 different species of fish inhabit the IRL (Indian RiverLagoon) and there’s no other fish that’s more sought after than the Spotted Sea Trout. . Trout can be found in all areas of the IRL: from mangrove shorelines to deep water residential canals, skinny flats inless than six inches of water and ocean inlets with six-knot currents.

The fact is, spotted sea trout can be easily caught from any dock on the lagoon, by any angler, at any skill level.  Cast a rod with a jig or shrimp and there’s a solid bet you’ll catch a sea trout.  Small sea trout are perfect on fly rod because of their voracious appetite, considerable numbers and lack of slyness.

On the other hand, when it comes to big trout (5 lbs.or better) often  referred to as  “Gator Trout”, there may not be a spookier fish residing  in the IRL.  Gator trout can be difficult to locate, approach and catch feeding.  Here’s four points that just may help you stack the deck in your favor.

Fish structure for big fish.  That’s right, even on the flats you’ll notice that big trout tend to hang out near depressions, points, sandbars, oyster beds, etc.  Gator trout  like to hang near drop-offs, close to deep water for safe haven, and in the shallows or on the drop's edge.  If there's a cover of mangroves nearby, all the better.  Docks provide safe haven for the big solitary trout and attract pinfish, yellowtail, mullet and needlefish; a gator trout smorgasbord. Other hot spots that hold gator trout are bridges, rock piles, fallen trees, jetties and docked boats.

Quiet, stealth approach for big trout. When approached on the flats trout are very difficult to sight cast, and it’s uncommon to see them before they see you; for this reason they’re easier to wade fish than to approach with a boat.

Fish at night for big trout.  Gator trout feed at night.  It’s a fact that most people overlook that bigger trout feed once the sun’s down.  There’s less boat traffic at night, and less pressure from anglers.  Lighted docks provide a great habitat for the big fish.  If you want to consistently catch jumbo trout, fish at night.

Fish big baits for big trout.  Big trout are typically lazy.  They don’t want to work hard for their next meal.  But it’s amazing how large a bait they’ll try to devour.  I once found an  eight pound trout dead on a flat with a giant pinfish lodged in its throat; the pinfish weighed nearly a pound.  It’s not uncommon for giant trout to attack small trout while they’re being reeled in. You want big trout?  Fish big baits.

If you’re going to get serious about  “Gator Trout”, here’s a few more helpful tips from the professional guides that make a living tracking fish and studying their habits.  I hope their advice helps you in your quest to land a gator trout .

Captain John Kumiski says make long casts, look for the biggest fish in skinny H2O.  Most of John’s clients catch their big trout blind casting with spin or fly tackle.

Captain Tony Nesotas, out of Palm Bay just west of the Indian River Lagoon believes in soft baits and slow retrieves.  “While fishing gators on the flats I’ll look for grassy areas with sand patches, cast past the sandy openings, then a slow retrieve: twitch, twitch, twitch and pause.  In deeper water, say in the winter I’ll fish structures: docks, boat slips.”

Captain Shawn Foster says slow down your retrieve. When it comes to chasing their food big trout are just plain lazy.  His preferred lures for gator trout are Kalin’s Super Floozy and Bass Assassin.

Captain Troy Perez  looks for the bigger trout hanging in skinny water with schools of large mullet during the spring and summer. Christine Perez, Troy’s fishing partner and wife, believes that you must keep casting, long casts and don’t give up on an area if you know it holds gator trout.  Troy says if you want to catch big fish in the winter, live baits like yellow tail, pinfish, mojara and mullet fished along mangrove shorelines near deep water will do the trick.  He also  suggests keeping your eye out on the flats all winter long.  Gator trout will hold in sandy depressions searching  for a few degrees warmer water even on cold days.

Captain Greg Poole looks for clean water on the flats with deep water nearby for safe haven.  He also believes in loud surface lures and popping flies.  The more noise, the better chances of attracting big trout..

Captain Patti Sunderland of Merritt Island finds gator trout hanging with schools of redfish.  Patti has noticed a correlation between the redfish and trout sharing the same habitat.

Captain Mike Holliday has fished the Port St.Lucie and Stuart area for large trout for many  years.  Here’s a few of the ideas Mike shared with me on fishing for bragging -size spotted sea trout.  During this time of year he prefers to fish after the warm up,  post cold front, in knee deep or less water.  Mike recommends wading and keeping a low profile. The best time is at sunup or prior to sundown.  Cloudy days are preferred over sunny days.

Captain Blair Wiggins fishes the shallow water during the winter when searching for four to six pound trout.  Blair looks for rotten sea grass on the flat.  He believes the decomposing grass warms the water and attracts mullet, crabs and other food for big trout.

Medium sized shrimp work, better than the larger ones because they stay active longer on the hook.  Mike favors large live baits for gator trout, but also notes that gator trout are attracted to the noise of loud surface lures.

Spotted sea trout  need to be handled with the up most care. They are far less suited for catch and release that their redfish cousins.  It’s wise to use a dehooking device to release them, and it’s optimal to touch them as little as possible.  (Tip:  Before handling any fish, it's important to wet your hands PRIOR to touching them. The "slime" is actually germ protection for them and when it gets on your hand, it's coming off of the fish. Wetting your hand (or using Catch & Release gloves) helps minimize the loss of their protective slime).

Without a doubt there are fewer large spotted sea trout today than in the past years; however, perhaps with Florida’s net ban, tighter bag and size limits, close seasons, and better angler awareness, these spotted treasures will once again be abundant for our children and our children’s children to experience.