It's hot out, but that didn't keep us from finding a load of redfish.
Summer is in full swing and this time of the year fish are doing very particular things that can only be associated with the hot weather. Knowing how the weather affects fish will play a huge role in your understanding of their biology and how you can use that to be an effective fisherman.
Fish (speckled trout and redfish, that is) are a lot of things, but they are definitely creatures of comfort. This mean they set patterns and their behavior can be predictable. When there is an external factor affecting a fish, you can count on the fish to respond with a predictable response.
It may surprise you, but there are plenty of parallels between how people and trout behave.
Think about being a “creature of comfort”. If people can help it, they won’t be outside naked during a blizzard. They will be inside where it is warm and safe. If it’s hot outside, they will do their best to stay cool by drinking cold water and hanging out in the shade. If they can be inside an air conditioned room, then they will definitely be there. Most people will get work done when it is least hot, like during the morning and evening. A lot of people will even slow down and work less when they get hot. All of this holds especially true for speckled trout and redfish.
Obviously, speckled trout and redfish are predators. But only the most efficient predators will obtain their meals with the least amount of effort. People are very similar in that they’re not going to make eating any harder than what it has to be. Argue what you will, but McDonald’s has made billions off this trait we share with speckled trout.
So let’s recap these two traits:
- -trout and reds will seek comfort
- -trout and redfish will eat when it best suits them, taking prey in the easiest manner possible
So with this in mind, it’s easy to see what causes speckled trout to behave the way they do. They feed first thing in the morning while it is still cool. Then afterwards they go deep. Trout like clean, salty water. If you remember, I posted an article called It Learns or it Gets the Hose Again! In that article there is a link to a buoy that has real-time salinity information for water not far from Breton Island. It gives salinity at the surface and the bottom. The saltier water lays towards the bottom. This is because saltwater is heavier than normal water, so the saltiest water always goes to the bottom of the water column. Trout will seek refuge in this water as they wait out the day for the spawn. Especially in and around rigs, you can find them hiding out in the shade, or any water that is comfortable for them. Just remember that not every trout spawns every night.
Warmer water doesn’t hold dissolved oxygen as well as cooler water. For this reason also, I am sure trout seek deeper water. As trout grow larger, their body mass outstrips the output of their gills and they are going to be very oxygen-conscious. You will find that as a summer day heats up, the trout bite will cool down. You can still catch them here and there, but your best bet for a fast bite is in the morning.
Reds are slightly different creatures, but follow the same pattern. They’re more resilient, being literally tougher with harder scales and thicker gills. They don’t mind dirtier water and can handle various salinities. They are quite literally the Sherman Tank of fish! However, your best bets will still be fishing cooler water with baitfish present. I would even set out to find a cut draining out of a pond or high water that is draining out. Shaded water that was in the grass will pull out and oxygenate the surrounding water, giving the redfish a fresh shot of energy to feed with. This will also form up the baitfish. Of course, I could just be biased towards a falling tide!
Taking the time to learn the biology of a particular species will help you better understand them. This understanding can be applied to fishing for them, and improve the quality of your fishing trips. I hope this article helps you achieve this goal!