Specks on the NC coast

NC’s coast offers great cool-weather trout fishing

Fishing for speckled trout along North Carolina’s southern coast in November is a rewarding experience that attracts anglers from all over.

Known for their striking appearance and delicious taste, speckled trout thrive in the region’s estuaries, inlets, and backwaters as they prepare for the winter months. Capt. Jot Owens of Jot It Down Charters shares his insights on the best techniques and lures to use when targeting these sought-after fish during this prime fishing season.

As the weather cools in November, speckled trout become more active and are often found in shallower waters. Owens emphasizes the importance of selecting the right lures to entice these fish.

“I swear by MirrOlures and Berkley Gulp lures when fishing for speckled trout,” he said. “The action of a MirrOlure can be irresistible, especially when you retrieve it with a steady, rhythmic motion. The way it mimics the movement of injured baitfish is just too good for trout to resist.”

Using Berkley Gulp lures is another game-changer for trout anglers during this time of year, Owens said.

“Berkley Gulp lures have a strong scent that trout can’t resist. Pair them with a light jighead, and you’re in business. They work great whether you’re fishing inshore or around structure like docks and weedlines.”

Owens recommends using a variety of colors, but natural hues tend to perform best in the clear waters of the coastal region.

Timing is crucial when fishing for speckled trout in November, but it’s not the time of day that’s most important. Owens said it’s all about fishing when the tide is moving.

“Trout tend to feed more aggressively during the incoming and outgoing tides, so you’ll have a better chance of hooking into some good-sized fish,” he said. “Fish tend to be more active during incoming or outgoing tides, so plan your trips around those times. You can certainly catch them during the dead low periods and at full high tide, but it’s infinitely easier to catch them when the tide is moving one way or the other.”

Location is equally important. Speckled trout can often be found around grassy flats, oyster beds, and near structure like pilings and docks. Owens suggests scouting these areas, as they provide both shelter and feeding opportunities for the trout.

“Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spots until you find the right one,” he said. “And on cold mornings, look for slightly deeper holes, or banks with plenty of sunshine. Also, when you find a productive shell bank, don’t forget that those shells can stretch out much farther into open water than many folks realize. And these specks can be found all over them, in both shallow and deeper water depths.”

Owens said it’s also good to remember that in those situations, speckled trout will hit topwater lures no matter what depths they are in.

Topwater lures, he said, are the one lure that specks will hit, whether those fish are in 6 inches of water or 16 feet.

“When they come up from the deep to hit a surface lure, it’s a bite you’ll never forget,” he said.