Trolling For Trout–A Favorite Big Bend Wintertime Fishing Technique

Posted on by Tommy Thompson
Barnett Creek, near the mouth of Florida's Suwannee River, is an excellent destination for seatrout fishermen, in winter months.
Barnett Creek, near the mouth of Florida’s Suwannee River, is an excellent destination for seatrout fishermen, in winter months.

Many of the Gulf-facing creeks along our Big Bend coastline are as wide and deep as our smaller rivers.  Three good examples are Barnett and Dan May creeks, in Levy County near Suwannee, and Dallus Creek, in Taylor County.  And slow-trolling lures, especially MirrOlures, is a time-tested method used by local anglers to catch fat wintertime spotted seatrout.  The TT, or Tiny Trout, series is especially popular, as it mimic juvenile seatrout–a favorite meal of their larger cannibalistic family-members.

MirrOlure TTR and 52M lures are popular for seatrout fishing in our deeper creeks.
MirrOlure TTR and 52M lures are popular for seatrout fishing in our deeper creeks.

The most successful method of trolling these deep-running lure in the creeks and along the muddy banks of rivers is to run slowly, about 3MPH, while slightly “jigging” the lure.  Then, if a fish strikes, stop the boat and cast in the general area.  Winter seatrout tend to school up and you’ll likely catch a few more.  And if you catch a “short”, don’t stop.  Seatrout tend to school up in schools of the same size.

Dallus Creek, between Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach, in Taylor County, can be a busy spot for trout anglers. It also offers good access to paddlers!
Dallus Creek, between Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach, in Taylor County, can be a busy spot for trout anglers. It also offers good access to paddlers!

 

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