Over the winter, cold water and lack of food changes the way speckled trout feed. For most of the year, trout feed out of reaction. If something lands on the table, they will gulp it down and look for something else to shove in their mouth. But winter is different. Specks become less active and will only eat when they feel the need to lunge towards something that looks tempting. Even when the tide and conditions are perfect, it doesn’t always equate to a strong speckled trout bite.
Guide Mark Young of Pawley’s Island, S.C., has learned over the years to be patient and fish his spots repeatedly through winter days.
“Trout are not scattered around this time of year when they are chasing bait. They set up in deep water and only bite briefly,” Young said. “You’ve got to be in the right spot at the right time.”
One great thing about winter trout fishing is that fish rarely move much on different tide phases. After Young finds them, he will fish through the tide in the same general places until the bite turns on.
“Some days, they bite better on the rising tide, and others, they bite better on the falling tide. If you put in your time and pay your dues, you will be there at the right time and put a pile of fish in the boat in a hurry when they decide they are ready to eat,” he said.
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