To a large degree, tackle choice is a personal part of the fishing experience, but Charlie Garretson’s experience has narrowed down his choices of gear for speckled trout fishing.
“Definitely speckled trout can be caught on just about any kind of rod and reel set up,” said trout guide Charlie Garretson. “Some like casting reels, while others like spinning reels.
“Over all the years of trout fishing in the Gulf, I have settled on the Shimano Sedona reel in either the older FB model or the newer FD series. This reel offers a speedy crank in a lightweight package.”
The Shimano Sedona spinning reel is a modern configuration ideally suited for saltwater fishing. The internal bearings are stainless steel: It offers vari-speed oscillation, a graphite frame with an aluminum line spool and a drive feature Shimano calls Fluidrive II.
Picking the ideal fishing rod for specks can be a lifelong search. There are just too many rod brands and types made that work well.
“Like reels, I have tried a lot of fishing rods, too,” Garretson said. “My wife takes one look in my fish and game room corner trying to guess just how many rods I own.
“I’ll never tell.”
Because speckled trout are not huge fish and most anglers like to experience a little play action in the process of putting fillets on the ice, a heavy-duty rod is not required.
“For trout fishing in the Gulf, I like a medium-action rod; nothing too stiff and nothing too limp,” Garretson said. “When fishing around Horn Island, especially over the concrete pile structures, you need a rod with enough bend to work out hung up baits, but not so rigid that it breaks the line every time.
“I use several different brands and types of rods for saltwater trout fishing, but I guess my favorite go-to rod is a St. Croix (in various lengths). This rod gives me just the right action I am looking for.”
Be the first to comment