Well, went fishing yesterday

[SpeckleDawg]

Ouch. Well, still beats sitting at home and at least y'all got to stretch the lines some. I fished some lights last night. The tide was so low that at one of my "redfish honey holes", the submerged light wasn't submerged. Ended up picking up 5 keeper specks and tossed back a couple dozen. I actually left the ramp and made it all the way to the first spot before realizing I left my rods in the truck and had to go all the way back. Also, proceeded to dent my fender on the dock at the ramp. Some ouches all the way around.

[BeastMan]

Ouch. Well, still beats sitting at home and at least y'all got to stretch the lines some. I fished some lights last night. The tide was so low that at one of my "redfish honey holes", the submerged light wasn't submerged. Ended up picking up 5 keeper specks and tossed back a couple dozen. I actually left the ramp and made it all the way to the first spot before realizing I left my rods in the truck and had to go all the way back. Also, proceeded to dent my fender on the dock at the ramp. Some ouches all the way around.

Ya that water was low. In hindsight, should have never went back were I went if I wasn't 1000% sure. At least now I know exactly how that bayou is all the way down...

Leaving your rods in the truck, I can so relate to that. When we switched to remote control trolling motor, I left that damn thing in my truck numerous times and had to go back to get it. Guys that only do charters just don't get the glitches we encounter in our pursuit. Makes the good days that much more rewarding.

[BB30]

What are yall throwing artificial wise? I fished this past weekend in Alabama-Orange beach area in the back bay. I know it is different from MS/LA. Really didn't have a ton of luck except at night around the lights on docks throwing basically a fluke on what I think was a 1/8 oz jig head. Caught a good many specs most right around slot or a little under. No reds. Still new to salt water and trying to learn on the fly. I don't mind using live bait but prefer fishing artificial. Was just curious on some of the stuff yall use. Also once the water warms up what does that usually do to the fish? Also still learning about fishing the tides etc. So any advice would be appreciated.

[SpeckleDawg]

What are yall throwing artificial wise?

Lately, I've been catching most every fish on a shrimp creole matrix shad (clear with black/red glitter). The spots I have been fishing at night, they were feeding on glass minnows and that was the closest color I could find in my box. The other day, as soon as I got to my spot, I saw shrimp popping out of the water. Went to the same color and it was on. Only problem has been all the <15" trout. They're fun to catch, but no takey.

This time of year, I usually like to throw something that resembles a small croaker. Live croakers in May/June has always done really well for me, while they are spawning. I also prefer to fish artificial most times, so I like a mirrodine or the green hornet colored matrix (or any brand of your choice).

QUOTE=BB30;744535]Also once the water warms up what does that usually do to the fish?[/QUOTE]
Around here, they start moving out front in the spring. That said, there are plenty of places in the bays/bayous that will hold trout year round. Once the water gets real hot, get out there real early and expect it to slow down as the sun gets up. Live bait is definitely helpful in the dead of summer.

That said, speckled trout are crazy sometimes. My biggest to date was caught mid morning, mid july, when it was hot as all get out and about 20 yards off the beach in some pretty shallow/dirty water.

[Uncle Ruckus]

What are yall throwing artificial wise? I fished this past weekend in Alabama-Orange beach area in the back bay. I know it is different from MS/LA. Really didn't have a ton of luck except at night around the lights on docks throwing basically a fluke on what I think was a 1/8 oz jig head. Caught a good many specs most right around slot or a little under. No reds. Still new to salt water and trying to learn on the fly. I don't mind using live bait but prefer fishing artificial. Was just curious on some of the stuff yall use. Also once the water warms up what does that usually do to the fish? Also still learning about fishing the tides etc. So any advice would be appreciated.

I'll add a couple more, but I agree with speck on the shrimp creole matrix shad. It words great in our murky waters.
My go-to is Gulp Alive white curly tail mullet. It's a trout destroyer. Backup is the chartreuse curly tail mullet and it's the one I do best with for trout. Gulp Alive new penny shrimp under a cork is a good one too. Bone white spook for top water or black with chartreuse head (aka the Rodman). Suspended baits I like the electric chicken 17mr. I was going out of a kayak a few weeks ago and when we got to the harbor to get shrimp at 5am the seas were much larger than predicted. Anyway, we fished off this new pier in Pass Christian. My friend was dragging live shrimp on the bottom and I was using a white gulp mullet and catching more than him. I've always had success with it when it seems like nothing else is working.
ETA: matrix shad with a spinner blade works good for reds, as well as a spoon with a shad as a trailer