The Top Speckled Trout Fishing Lures

When it comes to stating conclusively what is or is not the best bait or lure for catching any fish, not just specs, I find that there are so many variables, the least of which is not personal preference, that it is just nearly impossible to say what is or is not the best. I can tell you something about baits and lures that I know work well when you are fishing for speckled trout, and I hope that helps you out.

When it comes to fishing lures for catching specs, I think you simply can't beat live bait most of the time. Minnows (especially glass minnows, and ones about three inches long seem to be ideal for catching specs) shad, live shrimp, and other fresh or live baits or lures that closely mimic the natural forage from the waters in which you are fishing are going to be your best bet for consistent fishing success stories.

Now, none of this means you can't catch specs on lures. You can. You really should try the natural bait, but you need to know how to fish both natural and artificial baits and lures.

Mostly, if you are using live or fresh bait, something like a Carolina rig with live shrimp just can't be beat. Try something like that, or use whatever the specs in your area seem to be feeding on Carolina rigged. Even catch your bait from the waters you are fishing, when you can. You will see a big difference in the way the fish respond to your offerings when your bait is taken from their turf.

If you have never done it, you really should consider fishing for specs at night under lights. Now, you can either find structure that already has lighting, and fish there, or you can find structure that has no light, and create your own. You can buy several types, but I recommend the submersible fishing lights. If you put a few out in the water, and fish suspended just beneath the surface, with the type of bait that is there being drawn to the bugs that are drawn to the light, you should have good luck. Just remember to put the lights into the water before you turn them on, because they will fry in short order if you don't.

The main thing to consider, no matter what type lure you plan to use, is the way that lure is presented. For that reason, the lure has to look real. It must look like the natural forage in the area, and be worked in a manner that will make the specs believe it is real. Don't use a heavier weight line than you really need, don't use snap swivels, or something like steel leaders, because even when you are fishing live bait, it can hinder the bait's performance in the water.

If you look for these trout in waters less than five feet in depth, and cast your lures into the troughs that you find running parallel to the beach at low tide or sandbars, and around rocks, pilings, or other potential cover, you should have some luck. When it comes to fishing the shallow water during high tide, surface lures will work quite well, as will shallow running lures that imitate the natural forage in the area.