Live Bait Trout Tips via LA Sportsman

I thought these tips were good. It's pretty much how we fish live bait. Good stuff.

http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=6795

From big trout specialist Tommy Vidrine

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He often advises people on his boat to keep their left hand in their pocket while fishing.

?Just hold it with your right hand,? he said. ?When they do that, the trout hooks himself. They?re not going to let that shrimp or croaker go.?

And with the circle hook, too often he sees excited anglers set it hard and end up losing fish.

?Just lift and reel. You don?t have to set the hook,? Vidrine said. ?When he?s pulling away from you, you?re just pulling the opposite way. Lift up on the tip and reel down ? it?s done.

?It?s hooked. You?ve got the right hook on. He?s not going to open his mouth and when the circle hook sets, you?ve got him.

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Thanks for the link, I'll have to remember the left hand trick next time I get to go. What's the largest you have caught?

Good article.

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Originally Posted by Interpolation_Dawg_EX

Thanks for the link, I'll have to remember the left hand trick next time I get to go. What's the largest you have caught?

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Largest trout? This year the biggest trout I've caught was about 20 inches on Memorial Day weekend which isn't that big but it's a nice speck. Whenever we fish croaker on the bottom you have to be real careful not to pull the bait out of his mouth. That's what this guy was talking about. It sounds easy but your first instinct on a strong bite is to jerk back and set the hook. Sometimes we just put the rod in the rod holder and let the fish hook themselves when fishing that way. I thought his hook advice was great too.

In another article in the series (LINK), the guy mentions not using a fluorocarbon leader because the water seldom gets clear enough to need it. What are your thoughts about using a fluorocarbon leader?

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Originally Posted by MSUDawg4Life

In another article in the series (LINK), the guy mentions not using a fluorocarbon leader because the water seldom gets clear enough to need it. What are your thoughts about using a fluorocarbon leader?

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Funny you mention that because I use mono 95% of the time now. I read the same thing and it makes good sense. A while back I read a very well respected charter captain in ms say the same. That's what sold me. I do still keep some flouro in my box but I rarely use it. I use 20lb triline and haven't noticed any lesser results besides in my wallet. I think using flouro leader is a confidence thing for a lot of guys and I'm all for using what you believe in.

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Originally Posted by BeastMan

Largest trout? This year the biggest trout I've caught was about 20 inches on Memorial Day weekend which isn't that big but it's a nice speck. Whenever we fish croaker on the bottom you have to be real careful not to pull the bait out of his mouth. That's what this guy was talking about. It sounds easy but your first instinct on a strong bite is to jerk back and set the hook. Sometimes we just put the rod in the rod holder and let the fish hook themselves when fishing that way. I thought his hook advice was great too.

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I always tell people on the boat (wife and guests that don't trout fish much) to do this when we're using croakers. Everyone's instinct is to set the hook like it's a huge bass.

"Funny you mention that because I use mono 95% of the time now. I read the same thing and it makes good sense. A while back I read a very well respected charter captain in ms say the same. That's what sold me. I do still keep some flouro in my box but I rarely use it. I use 20lb triline and haven't noticed any lesser results besides in my wallet. I think using flouro leader is a confidence thing for a lot of guys and I'm all for using what you believe in."

Same here. I use a 15-20lb mono leader almost all the time. Much easier to tie a knot than with flouro.

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Originally Posted by SpeckleDawg

Same here. I use a 15-20lb mono leader almost all the time. Much easier to tie a knot than with flouro.

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I know that's right .. I hate tying flouro. Besides, it usually isn't needed in Mississippi's silty colored water .... the heavier material crimps nicely though

Yep. It's not like we're fishing the flats in the Florida Keys... Although I sure wouldn't mind it