Found trout again in slower lower

[Big Mike]

The last 10 days have been difficult fishing to say the least. Just managing a few schoolies and some perch, but no trout. Went to a different spot today and fished the incoming tide. Did 2 things, brought in cleaner water and pushed the giant mats of floating grass back into the creeks. Started out catching some schoolies but the pattern was the same, one here or there but not schooled. As the tide started to slow I got my first trout in a while on 1/4 oz jighead with limetreuse.
4CA963E0-283A-4862-B395-BEF0F3933D12.jpg
I then moved to a spot where we’ve done well in the past and got this nice one.
B5929D7C-CAE9-4592-B611-C931D510FE58.jpg
The next bite was another trout that cut the line. I put on a 1/8 oz that I had handy. All of a sudden no bites until a CNR mercifully took that lure from me. Put on 1/4oz and immediately another trout. Even though only over 4’ of water, they wanted it deeper, even if deeper was only another foot. Ended day 7rocks, 3 trout, 1 CNR, and a gorgeous sunrise
BD2B92BB-C734-4B7D-BAA2-2C5091920D79.jpg

[dsaavedra]

Nice work Mike. That sunrise is beautiful.

[UnkleRob2020]

Thanks for the report Mike. That is a really nice trout.

[Jigsup]

Beautiful trout and sunrise Big Mike!

[J. Rentch]

Nice going Mike, alway nice to find fish where you think they should be!

[Fishtank]

The last 10 days have been difficult fishing to say the least. Just managing a few schoolies and some perch, but no trout. Went to a different spot today and fished the incoming tide. Did 2 things, brought in cleaner water and pushed the giant mats of floating grass back into the creeks. Started out catching some schoolies but the pattern was the same, one here or there but not schooled. As the tide started to slow I got my first trout in a while on 1/4 oz jighead with limetreuse.
4CA963E0-283A-4862-B395-BEF0F3933D12.jpg
I then moved to a spot where we’ve done well in the past and got this nice one.
B5929D7C-CAE9-4592-B611-C931D510FE58.jpg
The next bite was another trout that cut the line. I put on a 1/8 oz that I had handy. All of a sudden no bites until a CNR mercifully took that lure from me. Put on 1/4oz and immediately another trout. Even though only over 4’ of water, they wanted it deeper, even if deeper was only another foot. Ended day 7rocks, 3 trout, 1 CNR, and a gorgeous sunrise
BD2B92BB-C734-4B7D-BAA2-2C5091920D79.jpg

Excellent Mike, nice going. What's with the slow striper fishing? The trout down here are on the move north. I don't see them in the numbers I did earlier. Tried a bridge I've been meaning to try in the ICW on Sunday. First cast, a decent trout. Thought this is going to be great......then not another bite at the bridge. Although I did find a spot with a bunch of tailing black drum.

[J.A. Veil]

Mike - I'm glad to hear that trout have returned to your local waters. They certainly eluded me last week when I was there. Your comments about changing the weight of the jighead make a lot of sense. During the past decade, I made dozens of fishing trips in Tampa Bay with a local kayak guide. Trout were targets on many of those trips. He told me that trout like grass beds and tend to be close to the bottom. By getting your lure slightly deeper, you improved your opportunities. Well done.

I fish primarily in shallow water. When trolling, I try to choose lure weight and trolling speed so I can keep the lure in the lower half of the water column but not touching the bottom where it can pick up debris or hang up in the grass. In 3' to 4' depths, this can be a challenge.

[Big Mike]

Excellent Mike, nice going. What's with the slow striper fishing? The trout down here are on the move north. I don't see them in the numbers I did earlier. Tried a bridge I've been meaning to try in the ICW on Sunday. First cast, a decent trout. Thought this is going to be great......then not another bite at the bridge. Although I did find a spot with a bunch of tailing black drum.

Just like your trout are moving north, the stripers here move up the bay and much further north from our St Mary’s waters. An occasional decent one still around but more of a nursery fishery for stripers. The size of the trout has made up for it. Still waiting on puppy’s to appear.