Salt Water Sportsman – August 2019

frequently, redfish in the
20- to 28-inch class.

Lures of Choice
Soft-plastic jigs are the top
overall lures for taking both
trout and reds under birds.
Silver spoons, topwater plugs
and crankbaits are also good.
A topwater often delivers the
heavier fish. Such a lure can

be cast well ahead of the boat,

and that’s normally where

the big, wary big trout feed

near the surface.

“I’ve always got a top-

water lure tied on, ready to

fish,” says Matagorda guide

Charlie Paradoski. “It’s defi-

nitely the best option for

catching bigger trout and

reds under the birds. A Super

Spook works well; so does

a MirrOlure She Dog. The

color is really not that im-

portant, but some of my

favorites are bone, pink-and-

silver, and chrome-and-blue.

“Some of our best catches

of big trout take place in late

October and into November,

and that’s the best time to

use a topwater plug. If the

water surface is slick-calm,

scale down to something like

a Super Spook Jr. If it’s a little

rough, go with a larger plug

SEPTEMBER 2019 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM 63

BIGGER YONDER: Casting

well ahead of the boat often

yields larger trout, opposite.

RED-HOT BITE: Competing

with other predators makes

reds feed more aggressively.