Transition is Key for Trout

I absolutely love the Fall and Winter for fishing.  It wasn't always that way.  I once considered winter fishing to be totally befuddling but now I understand that for the kayak angler winter fishing is the key.

This time of year is part of the annual migration of Speckled Trout.  I first learned about this with the book "Specks" by Todd Mason unfortunately it appears to be out of print.  Other helpful books are out there they can be found here:  http://www.shop.lasmag.com/Library_c7.htm 

So right now the fish are on the move.  Trout move out to the gulf to breed (smaller trout remain inshore to grow) and come fall they move back in with each cold front they concentrate into their favorite spots.  These spots are areas with lots of bait and deeper holes that they can move into on cold days.

This past week I traveled to one of my favorite transition spots - Catfish Lake and the trout were there.  I caught many small trout, a solid number 13 of keeper trout and oooohhhh the three that got away.

One trout in particular grabbed my bait about 3 ft from the boat dove under the boat and flipped out of the water on the other side of the boat about 3 feet from me.  Scared me to death.  Then came the internal tears as I realized his flip had thrown the hook.  Another day will come.

So from now on watch for the cold fronts - 2 days before and 2 days after the front get out there and fish!  After a few more fronts I'll tell you my favorite winter spot where the haul pictured above was caught two years ago.  Yes that's about 12 ft of trout!