How To Fish Depth Contours To Catch Speckled Trout
- By: Richard Thomas
- on
Are depth contours something you should be mindful of when targeting speckled trout?
What should you look for in depth contour fishing for trout?
Water level, current speed, as well as water temperature all play a role in speckled trout depth contour fishing!
Check out more here!
Depth Contours To Catch Speckled Trout
Equipment Used:
- 30lb Stren Magnathin Monofilament
- 15lb Braided Line
- Falcon MH 7’6 Coastal Clearwater Rod
- Quantum Smoke Inshore Reel
- Daiwa Procyon 2500-XH
- Slam Shady 2.0
- Slayer SST Paddletail
- Z-Man Trout Eye Jighead (1/4 oz.)
- Wealers Fishing Rod Wall Rack
- Vibe Shearwater 125 Kayak
Current
Current often determines where the fish are holding along the contour line.
This is because fish like a break in the current and you will find most of the fish on the down current side of a shelf or contour line.
You want to strategically place yourself on the down current side to catch more fish.
Water Level
Sometimes schools of fish prefer to have a certain amount of water above their heads and they will often move with the tide to accommodate that.
All you need to do is continue to move along the contour line following the school of fish.
By staying in the same water level and moving with the tide, the fish feel more comfortable and willing to feed on bait.
Water Temperature
Water temperature is very important to keep in mind when trying to locate where the fish are.
Trout can be finicky and prefer temperatures where they feel safe and comfortable.
Depending on if it is a colder or a warmer day, you can predict the depth where the fish may be holding.
Colder water means the fish may be a bit deeper along the bottom.
Depth Contours To Catch Speckled Trout [VIDEO]
Conclusion
Depth contours reveal a lot about where the fish are holding and where they might move as the day progresses and the tide moves.
Be sure to position yourself in tune with the current and the depth contour you know the trout are holding on.
Remember the main three factors are water level, water temperature, and current direction!
Do you have any further questions on fishing depth contours for speckled trout?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who wants to learn more about depth contours, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Hi Richard,
I see you were back in your kayak this trip, where did you launch from?
Rick, check out Huguenot park. It’s a very easy launch for a kayak. The current rips in that area, so may have to plan your trip around that.
Thanks – good video
Richard, I was retrieving with the current. I almost always fish the same direction as the current when using artificials. Typically fish are facing into the current is why.
Great job Richard!
I like how you explained the trout being comfortable with a certain amount of water over their heads and moved with the tides to keep it that way. Great info!
Appreciate it, Pat!
Where are you fishing?
Richard, I primarily am fishing in N/E Florida and in Georgia right now. I’ll likely make a trip to SC soon as well. This video I was just a bit north of Jacksonville Fl!
Appreciate your insights Richard. Maybe add a screen shot using the sonar map on Smart Fishing Tides would help illustrate the depth contour a little better.
Great feedback Matt! I’ll add that in on some future videos on this subject. I think it will help as well.
Richard. Great insight about following school around the seam at the same depth. Have you guys thought about using drone video. A drone vid showing where you positioned yourself and moved would have been the icing on the cake to illustrate positioning. Keep the great stuff coming!
Hey Frank we have! It is likely something we will be implementing in the future. Thank you!
Which fish finder are you using? Which model Garmin?
I believe this is the striker 4. It is the one that doesn’t have any map features however . Works great, very affordable and super compact
Hi Richard, great video. I was looking at the water and it seemed to be flowing away from you ? Or was it the wind ? Thanks
Pablo I had the current direction coming right at me. Typically the trout are facing the current as food or bait gets swept out. Then I retrieve my lures the same direction the current is going.
Nice job Richard! I did the same this morning just worked down the ledge until they bit.. I think the thing that people need to understand is that they follow the water down the ledge as the tide falls and back up as it Rises.. They like the same temp water I believe is the reason. BTW that new gulp shrimp color is something trout really like…
Thanks Michael! That’s awesome, glad you connected with a few. It’s a ton of fun following a school as they move.
Right on Richard! I’ve had success the last few days here is SC working current around a point from downstream, focusing on the still water and eddies on the down sides. A Mirrodine 17MR works great, just letting it drift around the corner, with the occasional pop to attract attention. Thanks for your content focusing on the creek/marsh big-tide systems from NE Florida up through the Carolinas.
Echo Brian’s comment about focus on big tide systems! Great job
No problem Brian! That’s a great and fun way to catch them! Sometimes I have to go with the 18mr this time of year to get deep enough as well. Great lure and they hit it hard!