Catching Speckled Trout – Fishing Adventures Florida Season 2 Episode 26

Winter Tactics for Catching Speckled Trout

Join Captain Sergio Atanes and his experienced angling partner George as they tackle the challenge of catching speckled trout during tough winter conditions along the Florida coast. When faced with a negative tide and strong currents that pushed water off the flats, these seasoned anglers had to adapt their approach and discover what really works when targeting trout around structure. The day started with traditional methods using live shrimp in the shallow areas, but as conditions deteriorated, Captain Sergio made the crucial decision to switch to winter fishing tactics. Moving to deeper canal areas with drop-offs and structure, the crew discovered that catching speckled trout required a complete change in approach. The key breakthrough came when they abandoned live bait entirely and committed to artificial lures.

Artificial Lures Outperform Live Bait

What makes this episode particularly valuable for anglers is witnessing how Saltwater Assassin artificial lures dramatically outproduced live shrimp. Using quarter-ounce jig heads with paddle tail lures in chicken on chain colour, the anglers managed to boat over twenty speckled trout in the final hour of fishing. The success came from working the lures along structure edges, letting them sink into deeper water where the trout were holding during the cold front conditions.

Structure Fishing Techniques That Work

Captain Sergio demonstrates proper technique for catching speckled trout around canal edges and drop-offs, showing how to fan cast artificial lures to cover maximum water. The episode reveals how fish behaviour changes during winter months, with trout moving off the flats into deeper channels where warm water discharge creates ideal holding areas. Using 10-pound braided line with 20-pound fluorocarbon leaders, the setup was perfect for the clear water conditions and spooky fish. This exciting episode proves that when conditions get tough, adapting your methods and embracing artificial lures can turn a challenging day into an outstanding fishing adventure. Watch as these expert anglers demonstrate the techniques that consistently produce results when catching speckled trout in Florida’s coastal waters.