Speckled (spotted) and gray trout (weakfish) are popular inshore fly fishing targets on the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Speckled trout are found along the Gulf and Southern Atlantic Coasts, and weakfish are found from Florida, north. Following are the best flies for sea trout fly fishing.
Seaducer, a Top Sea Trout Fly Pattern
The seaducer is a very basic saltwater streamer pattern that resembles any shrimp, small squid, or fish, like a mullet. It is tied using hackle and flash, and it has long hackle and flash for its tail, and palmered hackle around the head. It may be multicolored. To fish the seaducer in shallow water, cast out, and strip quickly. Try to use this fly in shallow waters where trout have been seen busting mullet or shrimp. To use it in deeper water, cast it out, and allow it to sink. Retrieve it more slowly. It can be best to use a sinking line in waters of over six feet in depth.
Clouser Deep Minnow, the Best All Around Saltwater Baitfish Fly
The Clouser deep minnow, developed by Bob Clouser for smallmouth bass, is the best saltwater baitfish streamer pattern. It has the profile of any medium-sized minnow, and strips very well. For sea trout, the fly is best in chartreuse over white, black over orange, or electric chicken (chartreuse over pink). The Clouser minnow works best in medium depth and deep waters, where it can be allowed to sink, and then stripped steadily in, enticing any predatory fish, including redfish and flounder, that may be in the nearby waters.
Lefty's Deceiver, a Top Fly for Shallow Water Trout Busting Baitfish
Lefty's deceiver, developed by Lefty Kreh, is another top baitfish pattern. It has the profile of any bulky minnow, such as a menhaden or pinfish, and it is one of the top flies to use in inshore waters when trout are busting baitfish early in the morning. Try the all white deceiver, or the chartreuse over white fly for specks and weakfish. Strip this fly steadily, after allowing time for its sinking (if necessary).
Dorsy's Kwan, a Shrimp Pattern for Trout
The kwan is an excellent shrimp/crab pattern for trout, drum, and tropical flats fish, like bonefish and permit. For sea trout, a lead-eyed kwan in a larger size, fished in deeper water, and stripped steadily is usually most productive.
Blados' Crease Fly for Sea Trout Fly Fishing
Whenever trout are busting bait on the surface (usually, in the early morning and late afternoon), Joe Blados' crease fly, in the olive or gold color, is a great fly to throw. Let this fly sit on the water, and pop it (as it has a cupped face) about once every five seconds or so, increasing the frequency of its motion when fish are nearby. This will have it looking like a struggling minnow which sea trout cannot resist. The crease fly is certainly one of the best surface flies for sea trout fly fishing.
The above are all top saltwater fly fishing patterns for sea trout. They may be bought at any fly shop, or tied at home, and they can be fished with great productivity.
Thomas Wyatt - Tom Wyatt grew up in Virginia. He has been interested in the outdoors (fishing, birding, camping, and other such activities) since he was ...
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