In Today’s Newsletter: From wild lure experiments and cutting-edge gear to spring fishing hotspots and trophy trout tactics, this week's lineup is packed with inspiration to help you catch more fish and make the most of the season.
Bass Smash Scorpion Lure (Video)
YouTuber Matt Nelson tests out whether or not smallmouth bass will go for a wacky scorpion lure. The answer may surprise you!
Get The Hottest Inshore Fishing Gear Of The Year
Rods, reels, lures, accessories and more good stuff for backwater fishing.
Spring Fever: What’s Biting Near You Now?
Time to make weekend fishing plans and our experts share their recommendations for the best fishing in your area. From sea trout to ling cod and snakehead to crappie and more regional best bets to wet a line and catch a trophy.
Texas Spotted Sea Trout
Although Galveston Bay is loaded with redfish, which most kayak anglers target, “I think our trout fishery is unmatched anywhere in the U.S.,” Clint Barghi says. Fishing topwater lures in shallow water is an exciting way to target trophy trout.
How To Find Texas Spotted Sea Trout:
In late spring, trout and redfish migrate from the back bayous and ship channels to the passes. May into June is the easiest time to find big trout. Barghi says mullet move into the shallows and water temperatures are ideal. Catching 25- to 30-inch trout is a real possibility. “The Galveston Bay complex has some of the heaviest trout along the Texas coast,” Barghi says.
In spring trout are feeding in less than three feet of water. Barghi keeps it simple:“Find the bait, find the trout.” He searches rivers and passes around Galveston such as San Luis Pass, the mouth of Chocolate Bayou and San Jacinto River. “These locations provide good water movement and plentiful bait.” He suggests combining the end of the incoming tide with a major or minor feed time in areas with strong tidal current.
In May, air temperatures in the 70s and very little rain make it comfortable to fish Galveston Bay.
Texas Spotted Sea Trout Tactics:
This is a great time to fish topwater lures for trout. Barghi suggests downsizing lures; “small baits will still catch big trout.” Barghi suggests anglers forget their nuanced retrieves from winter; spring is the season to burn lures back to the boat. An “incredibly fast and erratic retrieve will take spring trout,” he says. Finally, like any true Texas inshore angler, Barghi doesn’t hesitate to jump out of the kayak and wade fish for gator trout and redfish…
Where The Wildest Gear Innovations Really Start
From DIY mods to next-gen rigging, kayak fishing's most impressive innovations start with anglers, not manufacturers
Pedal Kayak Review: Vibe Makana 100
Elevated, high-low seat, pedal drive, rudder—the only thing missing is the big price tag.
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