Fishing Tips for the Season

Top 7 tips to catch a big one.

Cal Cossich of the @reelprioritiesfishingteam can be found fishing the banks of the Mississippi in his trusty Tilley hat. See our top Tilley hat & clothing picks for Cal’s team & read his pro tips on catching Speckled Trout.

PRO TIPS FOR CATCHING SPECKLED TROUT

TIP 1 Study tide charts and know when tides are moving the strongest. Understanding tides and how they relate to fish location and bait movement will bring you success.

TIP 2 Find the bait. Bait is hard to find this time of year, so when you see any movement, stay with it.

TIP 3 I normally fish in deeper water when the water is chilly, and start moving in the shallows when water temperatures increase.

TIP 4 Twitch baits are typically what I use this time of year. Choose slow, sinking twitch baits to match the water colour.

TIP 5 When water temperature heats up, I will strictly throw topwater lures over grass flats, any shallows with bait present, drop offs, or structure.

TIP 6 Topwater usually produces better quality trout instead of many school trout, but when you are on the fish, topwater can be good for quality and quantity.

TIP 7 I find in most cases, a slow retrieval with frequent pauses often produce bigger fish. Maybe due to the fact that this motion mimics an injured bait fish which a mature trout sees as easy prey.

OUR TOP TILLEY HAT & CLOTHING PICKS

Fishing enthusiasts know a breathable and comfortable hat that protects from the sun is as necessary as a fishing line. Tilley hats combine high-tech fabric with genius details that make all the difference on the water. A maximum UPF 50+ sun protection is just the beginning: Tilley’s guaranteed-for-life hats are floatable, feature wind cords and even a secure Velcro® secret pocket—ideal for safely storing your fishing licence. Tilley’s breathable, lightweight and machine-washable vest has lots of pockets for jigs, lures, utility knives—you name it—which means you’ll have to find another use for that old tackle box. With unsurpassed attention to detail and customization for outdoor pursuits. Tilley hats and clothing essentials give fishing and hunting aficionados the freedom to follow the spontaneity of the day. Hunters won’t find a more durable, comfortable and breathable hat than Tilley’s customer-favourite, handmade Airflo® hat. Guaranteed for life, the Airflo® comes in earthy tones for that extra edge in the wild. The Tilley vest lets you carry supplies hands-free for optimal agility and fewer trips back to base camp. Gear up in Tilley—and nothing can hold you back.