Despite a constant and relentless breeze, speckled trout catches are ahead of last season’s record pace. It looks to be another fantastic season for this spotted member of the drum family. While I have yet to have any puppy drum come aboard my boat, I have heard of a few starting to be caught in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay. We have had the best success casting Bass Assassin 4-inch Sea Shads rigged to a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce Specialized Baits Jig head, something brand new in an already excellent line of speciality lures from creator George Lenard. George’s old standby, the Li’l Jimy, is as effective as ever when trying to coax a fat speck out of the grass or stump-field.
John Nelson shows off a big spring speck
Chris Mitchell with one of nine specks to 24-inches
Jack McKenna in perfect form with his G. Loomis 8-weight
In addition to specks to 24-inches, Jack nailed this fine flounder in skinny water
Benjy Duke took a break from guiding for trout in Wyoming to fish for the salt water variety
Reddi Duke, following in her brother’s footsteps as a guide, adds a nice speck to the days catch
Not to be outdone, dad Ben Duke gets in on the action
Phil Kerchner hit it right with the high catch of the young season – 35 feisty speckled trout between he and walk on partner Chen Sun
Chen showing off a perfect cast after lessons from Lefty Kreh
Rob Leatherbury braved the wind to land this fat speck
Rob’s son Jake with his first fly-caught speckled trout
Long time client and good friend Maurice Klein hefts a pretty speck
While fishing with Maurice, Gene Jones ups the ante
Gene nets a nice rockfish for Mom
Tangier Sound sod banks serve as avenues for specks and stripers
