Scouting Fall patterns for migrating Speckled Trout

Scouting for early Fall speckled trout in North Carolina is a thrilling pursuit for avid anglers seeking a fruitful catch amid the changing seasons. As Summer wanes and temperatures begin to cool, these prized fish migrate from their deeper summer haunts to shallower brackish waters, making them an accessible target for anglers.
Heading out in the early morning or late afternoon, when water temperatures are optimal, can greatly increase your chances of success. Focus your efforts on estuaries, marshes, structure and creek mouths, where baitfish congregate, providing an irresistible buffet for hungry speckled trout. Keep an eye out for submerged structures like oyster beds, as these serve as ideal ambush points for these cunning predators.
When it comes to bait and lures, opt for versatile options such as hard plastics mimicking baitfish or shrimp. Experiment with various retrieval speeds to find the rhythm that entices the most strikes. Additionally, employing scent attractants can enhance your bait's allure, especially as water temperatures begin to drop.

[@rogerjones1628]

That was a beautiful class of fish, that hard bait bite is the best !

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Thanks man. I wish we could have found that first fish again in the tournament today.

[@ckaz2806]

As always Great video bro! Mirrolures are hard to beat. Nice class of fish

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Buddy I appreciate that. It’s shaping up to be an awesome fall/winter season.

[@FishingwithBrewski]

Awesome work! That mardigras 27 will do some work for sure.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

An awesome color for sure.

[@bidenhasdementia8657]

Nice job, that first fish was super chunky. Love the content, but we gotta do something about that nickleback in the intro, lol.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Haha it’s not nickleback. It’s a group called line so thin.

[@blindhogadventures_Cory.F]

Nice fish! Great lure, hard to beat that color in a 27!

[@SlackTidesFishing]

No doubt. It’s caught trout almost in every scenario possible. Should be a stellar winter.

[@blindhogadventures_Cory.F]

@@SlackTidesFishing for real! The quality of fish this early is impressive in the bigger water and starting to move into the creeks! A beer/run jerk shad 4" with a red jig head has been money for me lately! About the last 6 weeks!

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Idk if you use it often but I’ve have some much success with a ned rig and slick Jr in the purple. It’s been phenomenal

[@blindhogadventures_Cory.F]

@@SlackTidesFishing one of my favorites! I use the copper with the chartreuse tail from mid summer to oct. 1 Will just the goblin green and the white chart. tail now also. Drum love them!

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Nice. I’ve used other colors but I have so much confidence in that 27 MGras it’s hard to switch it up.

[@FishingwithBrewski]

Careful man. That Plano box ruined every single 27 I had in it. Gotta keep it in the shade and if stored in the boat during warm weather it apparently needs a bunch of holes drilled in it.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Thanks Steven. You’re not the 1st person to warn me about that box. I normally wont bring it out until it’s cooler. I hope I don’t have the bad luck some guys have had.

[@mikedixon8741]

Just caught one of your videos recently and subscribed. Do you target drum very often? Speckled trout are great to catch but a stout little puppy drum has some shoulders on them and I love the fight.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Mike I appreciate you watching. I do target drum. Theres a topwater video and There’s a live bait video from I think august 13th. It’s about 7 videos down from the top. We smoked them on live mullet.

[@mclark8441]

What color was that first mr27? Looked great. I've got way too many, so what's one more Ps- go check some winter spots. You'd be surprised what's already there.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

It’s the Mardi Gras. Trust me I know. Some of my buddies were talking about how early they are. I’ll do some scouting later this week. Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@johnnieyoung6497]

Whay depth you fishing the 27 in? And what power rod you using. I like the tip action.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

We fished 4-6’ all day. I used both Fenwick HMG and HMX 7’ medium.

[@htomly3]

Where in NC are you located? Obx here

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Swansboro/Emerald Isle

[@patrickcotter945]

Great video ! Was this in the Neuse ?

[@SlackTidesFishing]

It was.

[@patrickcotter945]

Thank you ! You think they are up around little Washington yet?

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Honestly I don’t get up there that often. We did fish Vandemere today and ended up with 20 between 16-18”

[@1FishinAddict]

That place is packed on the weekends now. 😂

[@ggw7948]

Happens every year just about....no big deal....takes some of the traffic off the places I like to fish.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

There you go. That’s a positive. I won’t hit that area again til next year.

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Yeah you can roll over the bridge and see the boats stacked.

[@patrickcotter945]

Is that new Bern ?

[@SlackTidesFishing]

@@patrickcotter945 it is

[@charleslahay5991]

How far up river are they right now?

[@SlackTidesFishing]

No clue. Only fished the tracks and one creek mouth.

[@charleslahay5991]

Thank you. You do a good job with your videos, very helpful.@@SlackTidesFishing

[@SlackTidesFishing]

Appreciate that Charles. That’s what it’s all about.

[@patrickcotter945]

Agreed, Damn good job!