During the fall run, inshore waters fill up with big schools of speckled trout. Most of the fish that come into the Little River section of the ICW are of the smaller variety, often slightly on either side of the legal size minimum. However, plenty of sizable trout occupy the same waters, including some gator-sized specks. Anglers who can adjust their tactics can increase their chances of hooking into one of these beasts on a consistent basis.
Greg Holmes of Fish Skinny Charters adjusts his tactics to target the larger fish and keep the more-numerous smaller fish from getting to his baits firsts.
“I fish bigger baits when I am trying to catch a bigger fish,” Holmes said. “The smaller fish cannot handle the larger baits.”
Whether using live bait or artificial lures, Holmes will go with a larger-sized presentation to capture the attention of the big female trout looking for a big mouthful. He will use spinnerbaits, large crankbaits and big artificial shrimp, like the 4-inch Jumbo Vudu Shrimp that debuted late in 2013.
According to Holmes, he has been waiting all year to try out the four-inch version on the big Little River trout.
“The jumbo shrimp is going to be great for catching big fish,” he said.
Among spots along South Carolina’s coast, Little River is known for its gator-sized yellowmouths, from the ICW haunts to the jetties that line the inlet. In order to land one of these trophy fishes, anglers must step up their lure size and be prepared when a big sow trout shows up with no intentions on giving up easily.
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