Capt. Skip James caught this big speck under a Paradise Popper. Photo by Chester Moore Jr.

Coastal anglers looking to score on speckled trout have plenty of options for 2007. Major hurricanes left a big question mark as to the quality of the fishery in many areas, but the Gulf ecosystem proved resilient, with worthwhile trout action reported in every region. And in the late-winter/early-spring period, some of the best fishing in the state is in remote marshes along the coast.

"For the last few years we have been catching trout up to 10 pounds along the canals in the canals that wind through the marshes on the coast," said guide Capt. Skip James. "The big fish congregate in unusually large numbers in small areas like some of the canals cut through the marsh by trappers years ago. You have to search these fish out.

"What you want to look for is mullet. You don't necessarily have to find a lot of mullet, but when you find some mullet bodied up, there is a good chance you will find trout."

Another thing to look out for is a concentration of alligator garfish. Lots of big gar haunt the marshes, and for some unknown reason the trout hang out with them in the winter and early spring. Anglers have actually been known to sight-cast to trout swimming with gar.

"What we're targeting those fish with is slow-sinking lures like the Chatter Tube and MirrOlure Catch 5," explained James. "The fish want a slow approach this time of year -- and that is something I cannot emphasize enough: You need to fish slow, slow, slow and not expect the trout just to slam your lure. Sometimes all you will feel on your line is a little pressure, and it ends up being a 7-pounder."

"We catch some big trout in the early spring on topwater lures," noted charter captain Buddy Oakes.

Once again, concentrations of mullet are the sign to watch for, although last year, shrimp abounded in the system. "It was strange," Oakes said. "There was a whole lot of shrimp out there, and that was what the trout were keying in a lot of the time. We heard that from anglers all along the coast."

Another crucial area to fish at this time of year is the Intracoastal Canal, which runs the length of the coast. Trout like the sanctuary of deep water, which features stable temperatures in the cold months, and anglers who learn which areas hold fish and which are the ones that they move to can score when others are catching nothing.

Certain things visible to the naked eye will give you a hint as to where the fish might be. First off, if you actually see "nervous water," or detect mullet near the surface, you've obviously found a likely starting place. Second, any area near a cut, or that flows even minimally into a marsh or lake, is definitely worth probing, as the exchange of water from shallow to deep makes for a prime spot in which predators can catch their prey.

Now, back to that term "nervous water," which simply describes water in which predators are feeding and pushing baitfish to the surface. My first choice for fishing nervous water in the channel at this time of year is a Rat-L-Trap, the chrome model with a black back being particularly apt for clearer water and a straight-up chartreuse version useful when conditions are murky, as is often the case in spring.

Make pattern casts parallel to shorelines, as bait schools typically stretch out along them. The Rat-L-Trap is a smart choice, as you can cast it in the wind and get some distance out of it.

If the baitfish are acting nervous over a dropoff or a shallow flat, switch to a topwater lure. Many worthwhile types are out there, but my favorite is the Skitter Walk. Top Dog Jrs., She-Dogs and Super Spooks are other possible picks.