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With water temperature just the way they like it, silver trout have shown up in the numbers we expect in January.
We lost count Tuesday after a hundred or so less than a half-mile outside the swim buoys along the rocky bottom of Redington Beach.
Tandem rigged 1/4-ounce jig heads with pale pink curly tails worked best until we located the big numbers, then color combinations didn't matter.
Tipping jigs with pieces of shrimp wasn't necessary but can be when the trout are scarce. The new store-bought rigs come shrimp-scented for added appeal.
Silvers seem to hang out in schools of same size fish. If releasing a bunch of juveniles, relocate to a different patch. Often, an adjustment of 100 yards can make a difference.
Because there is no real commercial value, and as plentiful as they are, it makes little sense to keep the small ones. Releasing them will ensure each January there will be plenty to provide endless entertainment while catching two at a time on light spinning tackle.
- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.