July 2016 Volumn 17 Issue 193 | Page 31

several different techniques . Use a popping cork , a Carolina rig , and if the tide is light , just throw out a shrimp free floating on a hook . If nothing good hits the bait , make a move . When you find them , the speckled trout should be hungry and active .
Fish the Rigs , watch the Birds
Birds in Bay Eloi and Breton Sound can throw numerous signals . Most often the birds in this area will dive over catfish , gafftop , and small trout ; but that doesn ’ t mean you should ignore them , especially in Bay Eloi near Deadman ’ s Island and the Northern Shoreline . If the birds are over open water , I ’ ll usually make a cast or two without great expectations ; BUT , if the birds are diving near a point or in a small bay ( pocket ), those birds will likely be on decent trout . Being able to tell the difference takes a little practice , but it can make or break a day on the water .
Have a plan
These days with Google Earth , GPS units , and more fishing information available than ever before , you should plan out your trip . Just running out into the Sound and choosing the first rig on the horizon might load your fish box , but this year you are just as likely to burn a whole lot of $ 2.00 gas for nothing . Increase your chances of having a great day by planning a route with likely fishing spots along the way in various locations and water depths . You may find your best trip isn ’ t way on the outside .

Top 4 Breton Sound Fishing Spots for July

MRGO Long Rocks
While the inside of the rocks has produced well so far , little pressure and improving water should turn on the end of the rocks in a big way .
Stone Island
So far , the island has been on-again , offagain . The improving water quality should let the trout in this area settle down and get hungry .
Mozambique Point
Big schools of redfish have been spending a great deal of time here this summer , with school trout moving in and out . As the salinity increases , so should the quality of fish in this area . Look for birds working near the shoreline .
Breton / Gossier Island
These islands and flats will need a little extra time to stabilize from the river , but already we ’ ve made some monster trout catches there . The fish on Breton and the flats of Gosier , Grand Gosier , and Curlew are looking for croaker ; and the water is clear enough , so you better have them . You will catch some on live shrimp and even artificial , but these fish know what they want . River water will still have some impact on the Sound this month , but less everyday .
Hopedale , Shell Beach , and Delacroix are tucked away from the river for the most part , and that left them somewhat protected from the high river water . We ’ ve had a great summer inside with nice trout and reds filling our boxes . The night fishing has been outstanding , but that is an article for another month . Perhaps next month , if this heat wave continues .