100% agree about the drought years in the late 90's and 2000's as being awesome for speckled trout, then the last ten years being a lot tougher to catch specks. Now that the river is going down and staying down (knock on wood), hopefully the fishing really turns on. It can't stay wet forever, the pendulum will swing!
It has already turned and this year is turning out to be a stellar trout year. Now, the LDWF is going to raise the size and creel limit because they are too stupid to understand the common sense behind inundation with fresh water coupled with installment of saltwater intrusion mitigation projects, and they are going to say, "look, we did it. We used our brilliant minds and because we lowered the creek and raised the size, we now have more fish." It's painful watching so many people, guppies I should say, fall for these what these idiot, bureaucrats say. Anyway, it's just funny hearing people who really know what's going on talk about it and what they say goes squarely in the face of what the government biologist say.
This summer on the beach front I caught so many trout on top water they literally bit all day . I was so dehydrated I was out of water but couldn’t leave because the bite was on 🔥🔥
If you fish topwaters a lot then you know this but it's always amazed me how a TROUT CAN SLAM A TW WITH 3 TREBLE HOOKS AND NOT GET HOOKED. THEY CAN KNOCK THAT LURE 10FT IN THE AIR BUT NOT GET HOOKED 😂 IT HAPPENS SO SO MUCH. BUTTTT IF I WALK WITHIN 2 FT OF A TW LURE ITS DAMN SURE GONNA HOOK ME, NO DOUBT IT 🤣
Absolutely correct on the high river years. It has really affected Cote Blanche and Vermillion Bays and the fishing around marsh island. Hard to even catch redfish anymore.
I really enjoyed catching 3-4 pound specks on topwater casting from my boat toward the beaches east of Grand Isle. My bait of choice back then was the Chug-Bug.
I fish she dog, he dog, she pup, etc, but the zara super spook gets me the most hook ups. I'll switch to a spook jr in super shallow slick water. The super spook is heavier, so the hooks sit a bit lower and it's harder to knock it away. The spook jr gets knocked out of the water easily with no hook up. The super spook is also really effective at night.
I would love to see y’all come down to Biloxi, MS to show us how it’s done. The back bay and the brackish river systems can be hard to fish without live bait. Maybe there’s a bait or a few lures that would get them fired up.
What is the difference between throwing a topwater on spinning versus casting gear? It really can't be the rod so it has to be the reel. If it is the reel, then what is the difference? Is the baitcaster faster, would it help to get a spinning reel with a faster ratio or more line pick up? I usually prefer to throw spinning tackle because of the birds nests on baitcasters.
I like your optimism on the speckled trout, but can't say I share it. Could you do a video, maybe with Chris, talking about why you feel so optimistic?
Base case: We've had absolutely dreadful speckled trout spawning conditions 11 of the last 12 years, which isn't normal for South Louisiana any more than the drought of the late 1990s and early 2000s was normal. We'll return to the mean at some point, and the population will rebound. Will it be as big as it once was? No chance. We've lost far too much edge habitat for that to occur, but it'll be better in the future than it is today. I'm sure of it.
I had the same experience with the skitterwalk last summer with my uncle. I threw a she-dog with nothing to show and he schooled me with a pink skitterwalk. Found its way to my tackle box very quickly
Think they will change the limit on trout over there in LA like they have in TX to try and regain the big trout? I remember when Calcasieu was the big trout hotspot years ago.
Been fishing trout in Louisiana give me 3 days 5 to 10 SE winds and I will have great top water action. PS that is true winds not weather predictions. We have not had any light winds this year unless after major front then no water bad year.
It's a shame Mirrolure discontinued the He Dog, makes no sense. They kept the Top Dog, which is a great lure but got rid of the noisiest top water lure I have ever heard. It's great in the surf and when there water is rough.
Bruh! Ya buddy John had them dialed In!! So I read some of the other comments about spin vs bait casters, interesting- I’ll keep that in mind. I always learn something new from your videos!! Y’all put some hammers in the boat for sure, I hope I get into them like that some day
Hey Triple M I see you changed over to your baitcaster in the end of the video hoping that that would change the retrieval speed I'm sure.. always great video thanks a lot!!
Yeah, I had to change something. I threw topwaters again yesterday, and used a baitcaster all day. Had much better success. Coincidence? Maybe. But it'll be a while before I throw a topwater on spinning gear again.
Todd do you think it was because you are using a spinning rod and john using bait caster? Seems like the spinning rods make the top waters swim different, I always use baitcaster for topwater
I love the blow ups on top water action! Those were some beautiful fish. Are you tagging for an upcoming tournament or for personal research? Apologies if you have answered this prior.
It's for Tag Louisiana, a cooperative program headed up by former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries undersecretary Randy Pausina. He picked up the program when the state dropped it.
Fact: Why in the past several years spin rods are being produced with MICRO-EYES??? The looping action from the largest eye closest to the spin reel creates a vibration that goes through the line to the lure!!! Cast for cast w/bait-cast vs spin-cast on MirrOlures/Rattletraps ONLY…bait-casters produced more strikes as much as 8-1! I learned the hard-way, during the late 1980’s I was not allowed to fish with several friends UNTIL I bought a bait-cast rod/reel…we all had commercial rod/reel licenses to sell our trout…not ‘holding my own’ with Mitchell 301! Bought a bait-cast rod-reel (Daiwa PT33A and Ugly Stik) and the rest is history. Now Calcutta, Curado, 13 Fishing Concept A & C…REEL GEAR RATIO ON LURES IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT…time of the year, type of hard plastic lure AND jigs, etc--
Todd, I really do enjoy your videos. Always great content, served with wit and humor. I am curious though as to the boat you were fishing from. Like the manufacturer, length, and draft? Tight lines brother!
You could make an argument each way. A shorter rod makes it easier to work the bait, reducing fatigue. But a longer rod allows for greater casting distance, which helps when dealing with spooky fish.
I’ll never understand why you don’t keep fish to either stock your freeze or feed your family and friends. Just for some charter fisherman to go out there and catch hundreds of specks a trip smh. Our quantity limit needs to be lowered and size limit raised.
100% agree about the drought years in the late 90's and 2000's as being awesome for speckled trout, then the last ten years being a lot tougher to catch specks. Now that the river is going down and staying down (knock on wood), hopefully the fishing really turns on. It can't stay wet forever, the pendulum will swing!
It has already turned and this year is turning out to be a stellar trout year. Now, the LDWF is going to raise the size and creel limit because they are too stupid to understand the common sense behind inundation with fresh water coupled with installment of saltwater intrusion mitigation projects, and they are going to say, "look, we did it. We used our brilliant minds and because we lowered the creek and raised the size, we now have more fish." It's painful watching so many people, guppies I should say, fall for these what these idiot, bureaucrats say. Anyway, it's just funny hearing people who really know what's going on talk about it and what they say goes squarely in the face of what the government biologist say.
This summer on the beach front I caught so many trout on top water they literally bit all day . I was so dehydrated I was out of water but couldn’t leave because the bite was on 🔥🔥
I've watched just about all your videos and I've never heard you bleep out words . He is human!!
John is a fish catching UNIT!!!
The skitterwalk one hundred percent is the top topwater bait on the market!
I defiantly love me some top water trout action! Good one Todd!
If you fish topwaters a lot then you know this but it's always amazed me how a TROUT CAN SLAM A TW WITH 3 TREBLE HOOKS AND NOT GET HOOKED. THEY CAN KNOCK THAT LURE 10FT IN THE AIR BUT NOT GET HOOKED 😂 IT HAPPENS SO SO MUCH. BUTTTT IF I WALK WITHIN 2 FT OF A TW LURE ITS DAMN SURE GONNA HOOK ME, NO DOUBT IT 🤣
Excellent demo on the speed of the retrieve/rapidity of the twitches, then pause, then resume.
That’s a good Ol country ass whoopin rite there Todd! Lol
Absolutely correct on the high river years. It has really affected Cote Blanche and Vermillion Bays and the fishing around marsh island. Hard to even catch redfish anymore.
I really enjoyed catching 3-4 pound specks on topwater casting from my boat toward the beaches east of Grand Isle. My bait of choice back then was the Chug-Bug.
I’ve only fished for them once in Galveston. It was a blast! Great video 👍🏼
Yeah buddy👍🏼Looks like a good lesson on bringing various types of topwater walkers fishing backseat on a boat
"A really big shewww", as Ed Sullivan would say, lol. One of my favorites, Thanks !
John is good people!
Mr 10% got my man sworn to secrecy any type of location. 😂
I fish she dog, he dog, she pup, etc, but the zara super spook gets me the most hook ups. I'll switch to a spook jr in super shallow slick water. The super spook is heavier, so the hooks sit a bit lower and it's harder to knock it away. The spook jr gets knocked out of the water easily with no hook up. The super spook is also really effective at night.
I would love to see y’all come down to Biloxi, MS to show us how it’s done. The back bay and the brackish river systems can be hard to fish without live bait. Maybe there’s a bait or a few lures that would get them fired up.
What is the difference between throwing a topwater on spinning versus casting gear? It really can't be the rod so it has to be the reel. If it is the reel, then what is the difference? Is the baitcaster faster, would it help to get a spinning reel with a faster ratio or more line pick up? I usually prefer to throw spinning tackle because of the birds nests on baitcasters.
Love to see it! Love your vids! Love you Todd!
I love you more
I like your optimism on the speckled trout, but can't say I share it. Could you do a video, maybe with Chris, talking about why you feel so optimistic?
Base case: We've had absolutely dreadful speckled trout spawning conditions 11 of the last 12 years, which isn't normal for South Louisiana any more than the drought of the late 1990s and early 2000s was normal. We'll return to the mean at some point, and the population will rebound. Will it be as big as it once was? No chance. We've lost far too much edge habitat for that to occur, but it'll be better in the future than it is today. I'm sure of it.
I had the same experience with the skitterwalk last summer with my uncle. I threw a she-dog with nothing to show and he schooled me with a pink skitterwalk. Found its way to my tackle box very quickly
Awesome day!!! Don’t get down on yourself so easily
Think they will change the limit on trout over there in LA like they have in TX to try and regain the big trout? I remember when Calcasieu was the big trout hotspot years ago.
Been fishing trout in Louisiana give me 3 days 5 to 10 SE winds and I will have great top water action. PS that is true winds not weather predictions. We have not had any light winds this year unless after major front then no water bad year.
It's a shame Mirrolure discontinued the He Dog, makes no sense. They kept the Top Dog, which is a great lure but got rid of the noisiest top water lure I have ever heard. It's great in the surf and when there water is rough.
Bruh! Ya buddy John had them dialed In!! So I read some of the other comments about spin vs bait casters, interesting- I’ll keep that in mind. I always learn something new from your videos!! Y’all put some hammers in the boat for sure, I hope I get into them like that some day
John's a hell of an angler, that's for sure
Well I know that you had a good time bro, but he whooped ya on that day! It happens from time to time! Great video!!!
No doubt
Marsh Man I hope you are right about trout fishing getting better/ bigger.
That makes two of us 🤞
Hey Triple M I see you changed over to your baitcaster in the end of the video hoping that that would change the retrieval speed I'm sure.. always great video thanks a lot!!
Yeah, I had to change something. I threw topwaters again yesterday, and used a baitcaster all day. Had much better success. Coincidence? Maybe. But it'll be a while before I throw a topwater on spinning gear again.
I was thinking the same thing bait casting vs spin casting I think that was the difference
Todd do you think it was because you are using a spinning rod and john using bait caster? Seems like the spinning rods make the top waters swim different, I always use baitcaster for topwater
Great video!
Todd you got schooled again .......keep casting you will prevail in the long run
I love the blow ups on top water action! Those were some beautiful fish. Are you tagging for an upcoming tournament or for personal research? Apologies if you have answered this prior.
It's for Tag Louisiana, a cooperative program headed up by former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries undersecretary Randy Pausina. He picked up the program when the state dropped it.
Fact: Why in the past several years spin rods are being produced with MICRO-EYES??? The looping action from the largest eye closest to the spin reel creates a vibration that goes through the line to the lure!!! Cast for cast w/bait-cast vs spin-cast on MirrOlures/Rattletraps ONLY…bait-casters produced more strikes as much as 8-1! I learned the hard-way, during the late 1980’s I was not allowed to fish with several friends UNTIL I bought a bait-cast rod/reel…we all had commercial rod/reel licenses to sell our trout…not ‘holding my own’ with Mitchell 301! Bought a bait-cast rod-reel (Daiwa PT33A and Ugly Stik) and the rest is history. Now Calcutta, Curado, 13 Fishing Concept A & C…REEL GEAR RATIO ON LURES IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT…time of the year, type of hard plastic lure AND jigs, etc--
Todd, I really do enjoy your videos. Always great content, served with wit and humor. I am curious though as to the boat you were fishing from. Like the manufacturer, length, and draft? Tight lines brother!
I'm the boat owner. It's a Gatortrax GT custom flats boat. Length is 20', draft is scary, hope I never find out. Best boat I've ever owned.
@@eagleeye551 Thanks John! Appreciate the input. Will go to their website to check them out. Your high praise of the boat says a lot about it.
Never knew big reds hit top waters like that
Hell yes, they do. Good way to ruin your nice topwater lures.
I’ve smoked some giants on tops had to switch to stronger hooks because they will bend them !
I'm curious why you were using a spinning reel versus a bait caster?
Why no competition on this trip 🤣🤣🤣🤣
🎣🎣
Do you prefer a shorter pole for twitch baits?
You could make an argument each way. A shorter rod makes it easier to work the bait, reducing fatigue. But a longer rod allows for greater casting distance, which helps when dealing with spooky fish.
@@MarshManMasson thanks for the response.
Behind Empire/Buras?
what boat is that?
What boat was that you fished out of?
I'm not sure of the model, but the make is Gator Trax
mosquito lagoon trout eat those
Bro you were talking about the big trout making a come back and a drought. Both things are happening!
It doesn’t help y’all’s limit is 25 a piece.
I’ll never understand why you don’t keep fish to either stock your freeze or feed your family and friends. Just for some charter fisherman to go out there and catch hundreds of specks a trip smh. Our quantity limit needs to be lowered and size limit raised.
Some viewers hate when I keep fish; others hate when I let them go. I"ll put you in the latter camp
And upon what research do you base your decision on?
Bad runs on trout or 15 limits per trout
Not sure what that means