Roll-casting the flooded grass edges put my fly right where I wanted it, and quickly stripping my retrieve initiated just the reaction I was hoping for when a fish rolled on it, bowing my fly rod and burning line through my fingers. You can only imagine the fun I was having while fighting this fish on a fly-rod hooking and landing a solid 3lb speckled sea trout on such a “whippy”fishing rig.
Fishing an early morning outgoing tide on the edges of a salt marsh provided a virtual fish-fest for my catching marauding specks feeding on the “tons” of shrimp that were fleeing the receding tidal waters. The speckled sea-trout somehow knew this and were schooled on the edges of the salt-grass greedily snapping up shrimp like pop-corn on a Saturday afternoon movie matinee.
The idea of pursuing speckled trout with a fly-rod comes natural to me as I often enjoy the extreme edge of fishing by employing more sporting methods of angling. I had visited this same area before when schooling specks provided me with some very exciting fishing action. And the thought occurred then that this situation could offer some really interesting action for a fly rod angler. The main reason for the sea trout being here in the first place was due to the shrimp being in the tidal flooded salt grass. And when the tide started to ebb and recede, pulling water out of the grass, the shrimp had no other option but to flee, where the specks were waiting to ambush them.
I knew then that a fly-rod rigged with the proper streamer flies “just might” be the key for some exciting action. Now, I’m not versed in proper fly tech lingo but I’ve been fly-casting for many years and can roll out casts with the best of them. Choosing an 8 weight fly-rod, by weight I mean size and strength of the rod, a nine footer with enough strength to do battle with those toothy critters. Using a 6 ft mono tippet (tippet being the leader-line that is connected to the fly-line) as my terminal line. Floating weight forward “high visibility” orange fly-line was spooled on my fly reel with backing. For lures I opted for sinking streamer flies of from one to two inches in length resembling shrimp or baitfish. Be sure to pick streamers tied with “pop-eyes” as the specks really key in on the eyes.
You can purchase fly-rods at Academy, Wal-Mart, Bass Pro, or Gander Mountain stores in your area. Wal-Mart’s Eagle Claw 5weight fly rod for under $30 is a good rig, but my 8weight “Cross-Water”fly rig from Gander for under $100 did the trick for this trip. Now, the fly tackle is available in all these shops, but Gander Mountain, in Beaumont TX, has a better variety of hand-tied streamer flies, which are good replicas of what you’ll need. I spent a little extra on several prime streamers and added a few extras for my fly-box. Because if you lose the one they are hitting, and you will, it’s a long trip back before you can replace them, and the fish may not still be there and active when you return.
Normally, you won’t have to cast very far (20 yards or less) but for you beginners I highly recommend you practice fly casting prior to your trip. Casting from a boat can be tricky, especially when stripping line out for casting, or stripping in when fishing. You can either strip your line into a bucket at your feet to keep from tangling, or directly into the water as you cast, like I do. Fly fishing may not be for everyone, but to those who can master the technique it becomes a true sporting pleasure. And believe me; the added fun you’ll experience on your trip is well worth the trouble you may go through when fly fishing.
But if you’re not in tune with the fly-rod another type of fishing might tweak your interest. Ultra-Lite fishing provides anglers with that little extra edge we crave for adding more excitement to the “SPORT” of fishing. This involves using “whippy”light-weight spinning rods matched with “ultra-lite”open faced spinning reels. My choice of rods are 5ft graphite class Browning Gold Medallion or Pharr rods matched with Cardinal ultra-lite spinning reels. Spooled with 4lb to 6lb premium mono line allows for accurate casting and maximum action. Anything heavier wouldn’t be classified as ultra-lite.
Use 1/8th oz jig-heads rigged with twister tails or mini-grubs. You can find these items in the crappie fishing section of your tackle shops. Small 1/8th oz spoons in gold or silver will also work. Smoke colored twister tails were my key speck producers. If you want, tie on an 8inch 10lb test mono shock leader to your fishing line before rigging up. This will give some protection against those “gnashing”teeth that the speckled trout are famous for. I rarely use shock leaders though as it takes away from the natural action of the lure.
The 9ft fly rods work well as shock absorbers when hooked fish fight, not so the 5ft ultra-lite rigs as you’ll have to master the art of playing out the fish. Using the reels drag system is very important. But you can also add a little extra to the fight by switching to back reeling when fish make those power runs, threatening to break your line, your rod, or both. Another way would be to manually strip off line when the fish runs to avoid having them break your line. Ultra-Lite is a very exciting way for fighting those toe-to-toe battles that speckled trout or redfish are famous for. My biggest fly rod speck was 6lbs with my largest ultra-lite red stretching 28inches. Both fish were released after photo ops.
On the fly-reel there is no drag system, you’ll have to press your thumb to the side of the reel housing to slow the fish down. Too much pressure and you’ll break the tippet and too little pressure the fish might spool the reel. When spooling is about to occur lay your rod out to the side and began pumping the rod from the waist to hopefully turn the fish. You’ll have to put pressure on the fly reel when doing this. If the fish turns and you begin retrieving line you’ve just about won the battle but you may have to do this several times to get control of the fish. These pitch battles with large fish will hone your skills.
I managed to boat and release six nice keeper specks to 3 lbs before the tide dropped then grabbed my ultra-lite to catch and release 5 more before the specks left. This really made my day. Even the ones I lost were a joy to connect with. It’s all in what you want to do on that day, whether you choose to keep a few for eating, and they are excellent table fare, or if you just want to have fun catching and releasing. It’s your option….”Lets go-gettum!!By: Ed Snyder / Ed Snyder Outdoors
