Gray Trout - How to? - The Hull Truth

baypro21 · 09-29-2006, 07:33 AM

Reports are that these guys are near shore around Topsail (among other places I'm sure). I've never targeted them, what types of places am I likely to find them and what tactics are best? Aren't they bottom huggers? Baits/artificial jigs? THANKS for any help

HOTSPOT · 09-29-2006, 09:14 AM

"Spec Rigs" work good for these guys. Tip them with either shrimp or squid. Let it down to the bottom and crank it up a few turns, then jig it. If the rig does not have enough weight, add a traditional sinker to it. Grays will tend to hang out in deep holes around inlets where the bait is washing by.

originalsin · 09-29-2006, 09:52 AM

Another method is to use a lead jig head tipped with a live mud minnow. No skirt or soft plastic. I've tried both side by side and the live minnow seems to catch bigger fish but not necessarily more fish.

I've had my best luck with the red in 3/4 or 1 oz. I prefer to use the lightest that will allow me to keep the bait on or near the bottom between hops. A light braided line will help keep it on the bottom. Tip it with a live mud minnow or mullet if they're still around, and use the same method suggested above by HOTSPOT.

For locations, I prefer the AR's that are near the inlets. These will hold fish that are targeting bait that has moved to the outside and stopped at the AR as a sort of staging area. Mark the structure on your bottom machine and drop a marker bouy right on top of it. Back away from it a ways or you will waste all of your bait on the itty bitty sea bass that live in the reef. For most of the grey trout run the water is still plenty warm to have nice flounder hanging around so bigger baits will pick up both species. You'll also find a few speckled trout in the mix.

If you are down in the Cape Fear are any time soon, WOFES Reef is a huge area where spoil from the most recent river channel dredging was dumped. Literally measured in square miles. With the right current and wind direction you can cut off your motor and drift for hours, catching 3 to 5 lb. fish until your arm falls off.