locating feeding flocks of
sea gulls. The tool to keep
you on the fish is a good pair
of binoculars to spot gulls
dipping and diving. In most
situations, the first one or
two boats to arrive will catch
a few solid fish. Once more
boats move in, the fish spook,
and it’s time to find another
flock of birds.
“The best way to approach
a school of feeding trout is
to shut down the outboard
about 50 yards from the
birds,” Norris says. “From
there, ease to within cast-
ing distance with the trolling
motor. Determining which
way the fish are moving is
very important, and be-
ing quiet is key. Once I getinto the action, I try to posi-
tion the boat so that it drifts
with the current or wind
alongside the feeding fish.
When it’s done right, every-
body in the boat hooks up.
It’s fun fishing.”Hanging Around Pays
Something else to keep in
mind is that the fish won’tleave a good supply of shrimp
or shad when disturbed, but
rather will go to the bottom,
away from the surface noise.
After other boats leave to
find another flock of gulls,
anglers in the know stick
around the area and work
jigs along the bottom, a game
plan that frequently produc-
es 4- to 6-pound trout and,62 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM SEPTEMBER 2019
AUSTINCOIT(^2)EYES ON THE SKY