Jigs or grub I use in the fall for Trout. (Lots of Pictures)

[Capt Rick Hiott]

I know some of you have wondered what to use while fishing in the fall for the Trout. Well here is some of the jigs (or soft plastic grub) that I use here in Charleston,SC in the fall.

Let me start out by saying that when you run the hook through the soft plastic, try to rig it where the hook protrudes out as much as possible. This will help you a lot when it comes to getting them all the way into the boat.

You can see in this photo that there is very little "gap" between the body and the point of the hook.

This is the way I like to rig mine. Let me also add that I have found that it makes no difference which way you turn the tail, up or down works.

Here is a couple more that work good on bright days,,,

Out of all of the soft plastics I have fished in my life,,this has to be the all time favorite. I have caught more trout on this one than all others combined. Most people will tell you to use bright colors on bright days and dark colors on dark overcast days. I have done well in both circumstances with this one. This one is a must for your tackle bag!

Sometimes the color of the jig head can make all the difference in the world. I was fishing with a buddy one day with the same color soft plastic, casting in the same area not catching a single fish. The only difference was the color of the jig head. I had to cut all of the red color off of mine to catch a fish. So remember to have more than one color when it comes to your jig heads and also different sizes.

When it comes to "Gulp" this is one of the best! You can rig it with a Jig head or a flutter hook. This is a hook that has the lead made on the shank of the hook.

Here is a flutter hook.

Here is another hook I use in the Gulp shrimp when fishing for trout and the red drum in shallow water. It has barbs on the shank of the hook that does a good job holding the Gulp in place. This is the same hook that you will find in a D.O.A. shrimp.

Here are some of my favorite DOA shrimp that I use under a rattle float.

As far as the rod and reel combo, Im using the new Penn Conquer reel on a Shakespeare Ugly Stick Custom rod. I have the new SpiderWire UltraCast Invisi-Braid (I think its 8lb) on the spool.

I also use the new MirrODine hard plastics.

I like the smaller size...I have had to replace the hook on this one. They dont last long when you fish'um 3-4 times a week...

(All pictures are copyrighted)

Remember guys to look for the cleanest water you can find when fishing for trout............

If you have any questions, just ask. Im sure I left something out.

[240 LTS]

Thanks Rick, lots of good info there.

In the last pic, maybe it was done just for the photo but I see experienced anglers do this all the time and I instruct the people that I take, "Please DO NOT hook the lure on the rods eyelet, hook it on the base or legs of the eyelet to prevent the barb on the hook from nicking or damaging the eyelet.

When a cast is made, the line, especially on spinning rods, rotate around / through the guides at a high rate of speed and any nick in the guide could damage the line in multiple places on the cast. We all know how much weaker mono, fluro, etc becomes when it is damaged. Some will blame it on the line manufacture when in fact it is good line to start with.

Braid is a different story as we all know but why damage the guide in the first place?

Thanks again,

Jeff

[Capt Rick Hiott]

I just did it for the picture,,,But I will do this for short periods of time. It wont hurt the new guides we have now.

Another thing is not to let the hook rub on the rod blank for a log period of time. Its a lot softer than a ceramic guide insert.

[240 LTS]

Rick,

You took the photo's?

They look professional.

Any quick tips on how you did them?

Type of flash or lighting, camera, etc?

Very good job!

Thank you,

Jeff

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Thanks Jeff. I do a lot of photography. No flash was used in these pic's.

This should give you a clue......I use nothing but Canon.

[240 LTS]

Thanks!

Canon EOS?

[Capt Rick Hiott]

O-Yeah,,,I have two of the old XTI's (10MP)

[mako15]

Wow what a goldmine of information. Thank you so much for all the inf which I am sure will help me catch my fist Speck soon. While I'm fairly old I'm new to the NC fishing scene and have already noticed that things are done very differently here, just as I have found in other areas. Local Knowledge - which you supplied here in spades - is always the best knowledge. Thanks again. If you hear a radio check from 'Reelaxin' or 'Mako15' its me.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Thanks Ray.

(Copyrighted)

Edited December 16, 2009 by Capt Rick Hiott

[240 LTS]

Rick,

Again, awesome photo's!!!

Jeff