New Style Spotted Sea Trout Rig!
Captain Eric Traub Of Miss Judy Charters is back! His short sabbatical is over!
The old season Captain Eric has been fishing for many years not just as a charter captain, but also for some serious catching fun. The fact of the matter is that when he isn't fishing for work he is fishing for pleasure keeping in touch with the fish. Believe me, this is one thing that you have to do when you want to get "your bite on!"
Captain Eric has come up with a "fool proof fish catching plan." As you know most all of these reports are about charter fishermen that fish with us. The rule of thumb when taking a customer out fishing is to aid them the best way you can towards catching a fish! Since they don't fish all of the time it comes down to offering up the simplest way and the most fun way to get a fish on to their hook. Spotted sea trout are predators and as well as hard hitters. However, timing is everything when using a traditional float rig, because you have to know when to set that hook or your fish will be gone. It's very frustrating to get lots of hits and still not be able to hook up. So therefore Captain Eric came up with an up most fool proof plan, which can help those that don't fish a lot and those that don't care too much for the "sinking of the cork!" Please don't think that I am saying this method replaces the traditional float rig, because it doesn't. It's just another way to " get hooked!"
Captain Eric foolproof idea is basically bottom fishing. However, there is a twist to his method. He is using very light tackle. His main line is 10 to 12 pound test. If you don't have this size I'm not suggesting you go out and buy it. However, if you want a good reason to purchase a new set up I am going to offer you a good one! To the main line he is tying on a ¾ ounce sinker. You can use a regular trout sinker or a slip sinker, whichever you are most comfortable with. In Captain Eric's case he is using a regular trout style sinker. For leader material (line between the sinker and hook) he is using 15-pound test monofilament line. To the leader he is tying on a 2/0 Kale hook, which in some cases is called a "wide gap hook." For bait he is using live shrimp. He is hooking his bait just as if he is using a cork. He is placing the hook through the shrimp's horn, which is located on the top of the head. This application doesn't kill the shrimp and basically allows it to swim getting the trout's attention. After are they are natural born killers first before they eat!
Lets assume that you have put your rig together, got bait hooked up, and your are in a good trout holding situation. When using the old traditional rig you would simply cast it to the location, wait for the old cork to sink, and set the hook at the proper time. In other words, "you become a cork watcher, which is what some fishermen prefer. In this case, since there is no corks involved you become a rod holder with one main rule of thumb. When you feel pressure you just start reeling. There is no setting of the hook; because by the time you feel pressure you are most likely going to be already hooked up. I am not saying for one moment that this rig will take the place of the traditional float because it certainly won't! However, when fish locations are known and it's not necessary to float your bait into an area this particular application is "hands down" the one to use. Heck, you might have to use the traditional float rig to find them and the bottom rig to successfully catch them. This is not just a rig geared to those that don't fish much. It can be most effective especially when the trout bite is "slow on the take!"
When using this rig any live bait will work shrimp, yellow tails, finger mullet, and mud minnows.
Here's my scenario on why this application works:
When using a traditional trout rig the bait actually floats in from the surface. In some cases if you don't get a hit it might be due to the fact that the fish can see the leader first. This can certainly detour the fish's bite. This would be your sign to go with a lesser pound test leader. When using the bottom rig the bait is first anchored from the bottom and it normally swims up more naturally up. However, the same detouring of the hit can take place if the fish can see the leader. The 30-inch leader works well, because it gives your bait more freedom to "roam the lower range." This is normally where the fish bite takes place. Have you ever noticed after casting your float rig that as soon as it lands your bait tries to jump out of the water? I am sure you have seen this act many times. It means that you have arrived to the right spot. However, those jump means your potential hooked up was missed. When using the bottom rig "no jumps are possible!' I think you get my point!