Louisiana Sportsman

April 20, 2025

A 28-inch speckled trout and a Corky Fat Boy have a story to which the author listens. (Photo by Christopher Bush)

What can you learn from your favorite trout bait?

August 21, 2020 Chris Bush

One bait in particular stands out to anglers for speckled trout: a very colorful Floating Corky Fat Boy, aptly named Texas Turnip.[…]

Different jighead styles work better with different styles of soft-plastic baits in different fishing situations. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Bush)

Which jighead is best for speckled trout fishing? It all depends

June 25, 2020 Chris Bush

One of the most-versatile and effective ways to catch speckled trout is with a soft plastic and jighead pairing. You can target fish both shallow and deep. […]

The author has added a new, improved jighead to the arsenal he takes to the water when he’s targeting trophy speckled trout. (Photo by Christopher Bush)

Texas Eye jig changes your lure presentation

June 9, 2020 Chris Bush

The author has added a new, improved jighead to the arsenal he takes to the water when he’s targeting trophy speckled trout.[…]

Persistence and patience both had a role in the author landing this huge Texas trout on a terrible weather day.

Never give up! that big speck won’t

March 19, 2020 Chris Bush

More often than not, patience in letting a bite develop or changing techniques to target certain parts of the water column, has directly led to success.[…]

Fishing information gleaned from a number of sources can put you on the right track, but it’s more likely your own knowledge and intuition that will lead you in the right direction.

Go with your gut? Fishing in the info age

February 17, 2020 Chris Bush

Anglers scour media outlets seeking a mountain of information in hopes that their next fishing trip will be more successful.[…]

Look out the ‘window’

January 5, 2020 Chris Bush

Big speckled trout have particular times they feed during the moon cycle. Pay attention to your success and pinpoint when that big-fish feeding window is.[…]

Big trout are out there for the taking, especially if you take measures to specifically target them.

For big speckled trout, you have to think ‘big’

December 15, 2019 Chris Bush

It takes a big-fish mindset to successfully target big speckled trout.[…]

Paul Brown baits, including the Corky, Fat Boy, Soft Dine and Devil, have the reputation of being more productive as the water cools in fall and winter. The author put them to the test.

When it’s cold, Paul Brown baits have the right moves for trout

November 14, 2019 Chris Bush

Examining the sink rate and sink profile of some popular Paul Brown lures and decide if time of year turns this bait from ordinary to extraordinary.[…]

The author caught this spectacular, 30-inch speckled trout on a Sept. 1 trip.

A ‘Dirty 30’ speck for my son and I

September 26, 2019 Chris Bush

Surprise 30-inch lunker speckled trout became a lifetime memory for Chris Bush and his 10-year-old son Ramsey on a wade-fishing trip to Corpus Christi, Tex.[…]

One advantage of rigging a soft-plastic jerkbait with a nose hook? Most fish are hooked solidly in the corner of the jaw.

Nose-hooked soft jerkbaits

September 12, 2019 Chris Bush

Try nose-rigged soft-plastic jerkbaits when speckled trout aren’t responding to traditional offerings. It can be the difference between success and failure.[…]

Take notes on which lures worked this past year, and when, and put that knowledge to good use next time out.

What lures worked for you and when?

August 13, 2019 Chris Bush

To prepare for fishing the latter months of the year, you should look at the lures you used last season and consider why and where they were successful.[…]

The author landed this nice speckled trout on a Megabass Darksleeper, a Goby-type soft-plastic bait.

Three new tricks for more big trout

July 10, 2019 Chris Bush

Technology is giving some very creative lure producers endless possibilities that may in turn give you the edge on big speckled trout.[…]

How do moon phases affect the feeding behavior of speckled trout? Not as much as you’d think.

Does the moon affect the trophy trout bite?

June 12, 2019 Chris Bush

Big fish feeding behavior is more closely related to Solunar times, the major and minor feeding periods, rather than moon phase.[…]

Never underestimate topwaters’ potential

May 20, 2019 Chris Bush

Learn the true capability topwater baits possess and how their limitless upside allows you to fish them confidently.[…]

Dont overlook bright colors in overcast, clear water conditions. This 27 ½-inch fish fell for a Double Bubble DD.

Three twitch baits that lure uncommitted trout

April 19, 2019 Chris Bush

Below the surface twitch baits provide the perfect hybrid capability for those finicky spring topwater trout. […]

Jerkbaits will trigger strikes from speckled trout year-round, but they’re especially productive in cold weather.

Jerkbaits can give speckled trout fits

March 13, 2019 Chris Bush

How to cast jerkbaits and get the merciless response that speckled trout exhibit after staring down its hard-plastic foe.[…]