BigBendFishing.Net

Looking for sea trout? Follow the shrimp boats

By Jerry Gerardi, Tallahassee Democrat




Ty Smith is considered by many to be an expert when it comes to spotted sea trout fishing in Apalachee Bay. His success is well known in local sea trout tournaments.

Recently Smith shared some (the emphasis on some) of his secrets at a seminar held at Jerry's Bait and Tackle in Crawfordville. It was a program attended by both novice and experienced anglers.


Just about everyone in attendance learned something about trout, and just in time. The season reopened Thursday.

"March is a great month for fishing the bay," Smith said. "The fish fan out from the river and creeks, where they've spent most of the winter."

He said the first thing they do is look for food. They've spent the entire winter crowded in with hundreds of other fish competing for a limited amount of food.

But once the flats warm enough for them to survive comfortably, they go on an eating frenzy that would make a Weight Watcher proud.

The trout are looking for anything edible. Shrimp are a favorite. Millions of them will be pouring out of the rivers and onto the shallows. "Look for the shrimp boats. That's where the food is, and that's where the trout will be."

Rocks also attract trout, and just about everything else. Smith said if you go east of the St. Marks Lighthouse you will find Cobb Rocks, Gray Mare rocks, Black Rock, the Rock Garden, Stony Bayou and hundreds of other unnamed "secret rocks."

The trick is to find the rocks ... before they find you.

Read the rest of Jerry Gerardi's Outdoors column in Friday's Tallahassee Democrat

http://www.tdo.com

Who's this Ty Smith guy and why haven't we acquired him as a NFGFC speaker?

All Ty knows is 1 for $1, 6 for $5, 13 for $10, and 27 for $20.

Ty one on wrote:All Ty knows is 1 for $1, 6 for $5, 13 for $10, and 27 for $20.

A teacher of procurement whether it be fishing or raffle tickets.

I can show where they most definetly aren't (wherever I'm fishing)

Eerman wrote:Who's this Ty Smith guy and why haven't we acquired him as a NFGFC speaker?

Ty tells the truth about fishing. Our club members are not accustomed to that after having to listen to Birddog,Chalk,TinCan etc.
Ty's reputation would be tarnished.

I resemble that accusation.

Nice going Ty.

Ty one on wrote:All Ty knows is 1 for $1, 6 for $5, 13 for $10, and 27 for $20.

And I taught him that.

Congratulations, Ty.

Ty Ty he's our man, if he can't catch fish move somewhere else dangit Well said Ty

Just wondering? Where did you get that part about following the shrimp boats? I don't recall ever seeing a shrimp boat in Stony Bayou.

that's just to throw a 1/3 of the crowd off...

Jumptrout51 wrote:Just wondering? Where did you get that part about following the shrimp boats? I don't recall ever seeing a shrimp boat in Stony Bayou.

They're in there on days you don't fish

Jumptrout51 wrote:Just wondering? Where did you get that part about following the shrimp boats? I don't recall ever seeing a shrimp boat in Stony Bayou.

The shrimp boat topic;
This is about the patterns of the trout. We all know the trout show up to the east first. Then the trout will make their way to the Shell Point and Panacea area. A sign of this happening is when the shrimp boats show up offshore from Shellpoint, These boats are usally seen around tax day April 15th. There may be 5 to 20 boats and they will hang out for a few weeks before moving on.