That’s a good sign speckled trout are feeding
I am not sure about you all, but I am getting to the point of being ready for some warmer weather. Standing in a pair of waders with the wind howling can get pretty uncomfortable at times with the water temperature below sixty degrees.
Warmer weather equals warmer water temperatures and that means more aggressive fish that will begin to feed more frequently and for longer periods of time. Speckled trout will also start making slicks as they gorge on finfish.
Slicks are created from the oil from the finfish that is released while they are consumed by speckled trout and sometimes regurgitated. It will appear as an oil slick on the surface and will have a sweet odor to it. I compare the smell to that of fresh cut grass or watermelon.
There are few places on Sabine Lake that you are more likely to find a slick than between Madame Johnson Bayou and the Gator Hole. Next to Coffee Ground Cove on Sabine is probably my favorite area to fish.
A good bit of it is very easy to wade and there is a good amount of variation in bottom structure in the area. Add in water flow from several bayous and small drains in the area and you can see why it is a hot spot to catch plenty of speckled trout. I always prefer to wade it if possible, but at times the water may be a little too high or the fish just a little too far off the shoreline to get to while wading.
Cover areas thoroughly
I utilize a trolling motor when I am unable to wade and, depending on the wind and current, I may also make use of my drift sock. I use the drift sock to slow the speed at which my boat is drifting in an attempt to fish an area more thoroughly. I will deploy the PowerPole when a fish is caught and then fan cast the area in case a school of trout has been located before drifting again.
As trout become more aggressive, they also become a bit easier to fool into eating an artificial lure as well. My preference is to catch them on a topwater offering with a Clown colored Super Spook being at the top of the list. If you are not a topwater fisherman, I would encourage you one day to leave all of your tackle at home and spend the day fishing nothing but topwaters.
You will either love it or come home with worn out arms and never want to fish one again.
Preferred lures
If I am having to drift, one of my preferred lures to cast is the large floating Yozuri crystal 3D minnow. In my opinion, it is an easier lure to fish from the boat than it is wading and big trout will just eat it up! I twitch it down to where I hit the bottom and then let it float back towards the surface. They strike it almost always when it is floating back up and the strikes are vicious!
My good buddy, Capt. Eric Ellison, likes to rattle them up with a Four Horsemen cork with a Down South Lure rigged down below. He has great success with that combination and so do his clients. The cork is an excellent way to both locate fish and bring plenty of them to hand. He likes to utilize it both when drift fishing and when working different points and structure utilizing his trolling motor. He will usually rig his plastics with an 1/8 ounce jighead, but will sometimes go a little heavier or lighter depending on the fish.
Capt. Ellison has got the knack for catching them over here on the Sabine and if you need a trip or advice, he can be reached at 409-719-6257.
Capt. Adam Jaynes can be reached at (409) 988-3901 and on Facebook at Just Fish Guide Service.
