WINTER TROUT Q&A

Recent 7.5lb Fish Stuck By The Captain!

About every 3^rd or 4^th trip I get asked a question that I think “I need to write that down”. Sometimes it’s the same question I have heard before or something new that makes me think a littler harder than normal, either way I love it. Over the past few months, I have heard a lot of questions regarding the pursuit of trophy trout in the wintertime so I figured this month’s blog article would best be served by letting you guys ask the questions. Quite a few great questions were sent to me but I only selected a few. If your question did not make the blog then I have either responded to you hopefully with a good answer.

1.       For the Weekend Warriors who have not fished in a few weeks, what 3 things do you research the night before a trip to determine your first area?

-          I wouldn’t say there are only 3 things I would look at the day before a trip if I had not been on the water in a long while. That list is probably closer to 10, but also to back that up it is good to keep up with weather patterns even if you are off the water and imagine in your head what you would do each day. A lot of times this will lead to the right mindset when it comes to gameday. But, for 3 things I would check it would be Wind, Water Temperature, and Water Level. I should already be aware of what the air temperature is going to be, but if not, that would be on the list as well. Seasonal patterns determine what area we are going to fish each day but the wind determines which part of the area we will fish, so that is the reason why it is number one on the list. Second, and a very close second, would be water temperature. Water temperature for me determines what lures I should throw and what behavior I should expect from the fish. I DO NOT bring the kitchen sink with me when I jump out of the boat, a small box with few Corkys and Double Ds along with several Coastal Brew plastics and jigheads is all I need. Those of you who carry everything except your welcome mat with you, take note. Third, Water Level. If I had not been on the water in a few weeks or months this might actually be the first thing I check. Fish can’t swim where there is no water, and water level will determine how trout use certain areas and when. Also, being in Baffin Bay full time except for two months out of the year gives me the luxury of knowing which rocks I can run over and which ones I need to avoid. However, it is always a good idea to double check that your yardstick is correct when looking at the water level on the dock. When you think you know everything enough to where you stop preparing is when you screw up, so double check.

2.       When is it time to leave an area?

-          The answer to this one is simple but has a lot of variables. The first rule of thumb is when I am not seeing the right signs anymore. The bait activity dies, the birds stop feeding, bites become few and less aggressive, all of these are indicators that a feed may be going soft and it might be time to seek another area. Another solution is to stay and wait out the better fish, and this can only be answered by time on the water because it is a “gut thing”. Confidence in the area you are fishing is key, if you believe they are there based on the signs you are seeing then chances are you are probably right. Usually, you won’t pull up to an area and immediately start sticking big ones, you will have to wait and analyze the area and assess whether you think it is worth staying. That’s where the “gut thing” and confidence comes in.

3.       How long do you wait to fish shallow again after a major front?

-          Depending on the front they may never leave the shallows to begin with. However, most strong winter cold fronts will prompt trout to hunker down and leave their shallow water feeding grounds for a short time at least. How long is variable. Typically what I look for is warming water. If shallow water is warming faster than deep water then I believe fish will begin to gravitate towards the shallows. This is not always true but for the most part it is a pretty good rule of thumb. Also, if the bait is up there you can be sure the trout will follow in a short time.

4.       What signs help you determine what depth to fish?

-          Time of year and weather conditions determine the depth in which we fish more than anything. If you haven’t figured it out by now, bait can be anywhere in most any water temperature except extremes. This can be confusing at times especially for those that finding the bait is everything. It is not, but that is a different article. Time of year tells me the areas in which they should be, and the weather conditions dictates how I fish that area. Now of course, once I get to the area is when I let my eyes go to work. Understanding where the most bait is concentrated is paramount when deciding how to fish an area, but also knowing where the best ambush points are within the area is very important. Trout are and always will be ambush predators, if you seek out their vantage points they will become easier to pattern within the areas you fish.

Hopefully these Q&As help you guys on your next time on the water. I know I did not get to put every question on this article but these 4 were the most asked questions in some way shape or form. If you have a question that you feel wasn’t answered don’t hesitate to contact me, I am always open to questions. However, the best learning is always done on the water so if you are really looking for answers my best advice is to book a trip to learn more. We can talk about fishing all day, but nothing teaches like watching it happen right in front of you.

My new boat should be ready this week and I only have a few days left in Baffin before I am off to Port Mansfield for my winter stay until March 2^nd. My calendar is booked solid until March 5^th between now and then (thank you to all!), but this year our spring is looking like it will be one of the best ones yet due to the size of trout we have in our bay systems. It will not surprise me if we have more than one double digit fish this year… if you are looking to chase these trophy trout get with me. March dates will book up before the end of January then it is on to April.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and please remember the reason for the season. None of this would be possible without the will of our Lord and Savior, who died on the cross for us to take away the sins of the world. I pray that you and your families have a very blessed and prosperous 2026 and we will see you guys next year!

Capt Eric Gonsoulin

832-455-9322