Everyone, at one point or another, wishes for that “wall hanger!”  That one fish that makes the statement, “I have arrived as a fisherman!”  Statistically speaking, VERY few anglers ever catch that quality of fish.

 

Of course, like the old saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  What may be just another fish to you, may be the fish of a lifetime for another… and vice-versa!

 

Just what is a “wall hanger,” or trophy fish!  Though it can be different for everyone, a general consensus is that a speckled trout or redfish over 30-inches, or a flounder over 24-inches, can generally be considered to be a true “trophy!”  Of the three species, redfish can grow significantly larger than 30-inches, but as far as bay fishing is concerned, a 30-incher is an accomplishment!

 

Catching a trophy fish, though difficult, is made considerably more possible, IF YOU TAKE THE FULLEST ADVANTAGE OF WHAT YOU KNOW!  You must carefully plan your trip, and understand that, in targeting trophies, you are going after that ONE fish!  Strikes, in all probabilities, will probably be few and far in between.  Ah, but when they do hit…

 

So, let’s see what measures you should take to “up your odds” of catching a trophy speck or red.  Catching trophy flounder will come later in this chapter.

 

To begin with, read the water!  As I mentioned earlier in this book, nothing is more important that being able to determine if a “spot” holds potential for some big fish.  What do you see, that makes you think big fish are present?

 

It is at times like these that a good pair of polarized sunglasses is so important!  Look for “nervous” baitfish.  It is a very good sign when you see a mullet “explode,” fast and low, over the water!  Look for structure – where would a fish position itself to “ambush” its prey?  In shallow water, look for a change in water color that signifies a drop-off, or sand hole.  It pays to cast everywhere there is “sign!”

 

To catch the larger specks and reds, you also want to fish shallow!  Yes, you can catch big fish deep.  But if you look at the statistics, the largest fish are caught “in the shallows.”  As of the writing of this book, the current Texas record trout was caught while sight casting to solitary “big specks,” in shallow water.  Mr. Bud Rowland, from the lower Rio Grande Valley, TX, has caught what is the Texas record speck!  This fish was caught in the lower Laguna Madre, in water only 18-inches deep, while sight casting a fly to truly “super” specks!  This new fish broke the old record by about 1 ½-pounds…a huge difference, became the “world-record” for specks on fly, and is the #3 in the world “all-tackle.”  A truly monster fish!

 

To up your odds of catching a trophy, you also want to either fish early, or fish late!  Trout and reds primarily feed at night, so fishing “early or late” is a no-brainer.  When I go fishing with my guide friends, it is typical to leave the dock while it is still dark.  Get out there early, and focus on shallow water!

 

Though Mr. Rowland caught his speck from a super-shallow draft scooter, the general consensus is, if you want to increase your chances of catching a trophy, “you got to get wet!”  Until the fish caught by Mr. Rowland, the prior two Texas record specks were caught while wade fishing.  And with good reason too!...

 

By:  Michael Guevara

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Just what is a “wall hanger,” or trophy fish!  Though it can be different for everyone, a general consensus is that a speckled trout or redfish over 30-inches, or a flounder over 24-inches, can generally be considered to be a true “trophy!”  Of the three species, redfish can grow significantly larger than 30-inches, but as far as bay fishing is concerned, a 30-incher is an accomplishment!

 

Me with a nice 32-inch red

 

              

 

            Catching a trophy fish, though difficult, is made considerably more possible, IF YOU TAKE THE FULLEST ADVANTAGE OF WHAT YOU KNOW!  You must carefully plan your trip, and understand that, in targeting trophies, you are going after that ONE fish!  Strikes, in all probabilities, will probably be few and far in between.  Ah, but when they do hit…

 

 

So, let’s see what measures you should take to “up your odds” of catching a trophy speck or red.  Catching trophy flounder will come later in this chapter.

 

 

            To begin with, read the water!  As I mentioned earlier in this book, nothing is more important that being able to determine if a “spot” holds potential for some big fish.  What do you see, that makes you think big fish are present?

 

 

It is at times like these that a good pair of polarized sunglasses is so important!  Look for “nervous” baitfish.  It is a very good sign when you see a mullet “explode,” fast and low, over the water!  Look for structure – where would a fish position itself to “ambush” its prey?  In shallow water, look for a change in water color that signifies a drop-off, or sand hole.  It pays to cast everywhere there is “sign!”

 

 

To catch the larger specks and reds, you also want to fish shallow!  Yes, you can catch big fish deep.  But if you look at the statistics, the largest fish are caught “in the shallows.”  As of the writing of this book, the current Texas record trout was caught while sight casting to solitary “big specks,” in shallow water.  Of course, there is now the rumor that Mr. Bud Rowland, from the lower Rio Grande Valley, TX, has caught what will be a new Texas record speck!  This fish was caught in the lower Laguna Madre, in water only 18-inches deep, while sight casting a fly to truly “super” specks!  This new fish, if certified, will break the old record by about 1 ½-pounds…a huge difference, will become the “world-record” for specks on fly, and will be #3 in the world “all-tackle.”  A truly monster fish!

 

                                         

 

 

 

Laguna Madre fly-fisherman Bud Rowland is shown with the 37-inch, 15-pound, 6-ounce speckled trout that is in the process of being certified as a world record.

 

 

To up your odds of catching a trophy, you also want to either fish early, or fish late!  Trout and reds primarily feed at night, so fishing “early or late” is a no-brainer.  When I go fishing with my guide friends, it is typical to leave the dock while it is still dark.  Get out there early, and focus on shallow water!

 

 

            Though Mr. Rowland caught his speck from a super-shallow draft scooter, the general consensus is, if you want to increase your chances of catching a trophy, “you got to get wet!”  Until the fish caught by Mr. Rowland, the prior two Texas record specks were caught while wade fishing.  And with good reason too!...

By:  Michael Guevara

 

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