People trying their hand at night fishing quickly discover that the best dock light lures for speckled trout are not the same ones they normally throw during the day.
Or, worse yet, they were actually on the fish but failed to get any bites because they were using the wrong lure. That's the absolute worst case scenario for night fishing, because any effort made won't amount to anything if the fish won't bite in the first place.
To fully unravel this we must first ask the question, "Why are they even fishing at night to begin with?"
Why You Should Try Fishing Dock Lights At Night For Speckled Trout
You should go night fishing for specks for the best reason in the world: because it's a lot of fun! And that's it, you don't really need any other reason. But there are still a few others, in case you were wondering:
Summer time is the best time to fish dock lights for speckled trout. If you've read my guide to the summer trout pattern, then you know that during summer the heat can cause speckled trout to feed during short windows in the morning.
But what I usually leave out is that what you're really doing on a conventional day-trip is catching the tail end of the night time bite.
So why not just go at night?
Plus, figuring out where to go isn't exactly rocket science. Do you see a light shining in or out of the water? Okay, well that's worth investigating! Not hard.
But, fishing dock lights is a different animal that leaves inshore anglers frustrated, especially when they see speckled trout feeding but can't get them to bite!
It's enough to make a grown man cry when you can see the fish feeding but they don't bite the lures you're throwing!
Why aren't the trout biting under dock lights?
It has a lot to do with the kind of bait they're feeding on.
That bait is usually small bay anchovies, or glass minnows, attracted to dock lights in the same way bugs are attracted to your porch light.
Speckled trout are on those dock lights to eat the bay 'chovies attracted to them.
Not croakers. Not mullet. Not pogies. Not cocahoes.
This doesn't mean they won't eat those things, it just means they're looking, towards the water's surface, for bay chovies.
But I have another theory...
It's possible that the ambience of the dock light — or just the way it shines into the water — causes conventional lures to appear differently to speckled trout.
I'm not sure. These fish have certainly left me scratching my head more than once and it's possible that I'm wrong. However, I'm just thinking of how differently things look underwater (albeit during daylight) when it comes to sunny vs overcast weather like what's detailed in this blog post.
Either way, it's a classic case of "match the hatch": if you were to throw a relatively large 3" swim bait (such as a Matrix Shad), then the fish aren't going to go for it as readily as they would something that looks like what they are trying to eat.
So, the key is to throw a lure that looks and presents itself like a tiny bay 'chovy. It must be small to match the lure profile, and be light to stay high in the water column.
Lure Recommendations For Dock Light Speckled Trout
While there's a wide selection out there, I think the Matrix Mini is a perfect fit!
Matrix Shad vs Matrix Mini for size comparison
It's a down-sized version of the Matrix Shad and works well for fishing dock lights, because it has a profile and translucent body similar to a bay anchovy.
Plus, the jigheads they sell for the Mini have the right kind of shank so the body doesn't bulge.
These jigheads come in 1/32, 1/16 and 1/8 oz, all weights much smaller than what we typically use for speckled trout when fishing conventionally during daylight.
Matrix Mini Alternatives
While the Matrix Shad brand is far more widely available than what it once was — in the event you do not have Matrix Minis at your local store — then you'll do just fine to use tiny baits made for crappie fishing (or "sacalait", as we call them here in Louisiana).
Good examples include, but are not limited to:
If there's any others you enjoy, then please list them below in the comments section!
Lures I Don't Recommend For Dock Light Speckled Trout
I've tried using molded bodies and they just fall apart.
As soon as they do you're stuck with tying on a new one, since they're one piece, and not a system like the Matrix Mini and jighead.
Lagniappe Advice For Catching Speckled Trout Under Dock Lights
While writing this guide I thought of some lagniappe — or a little extra — you may enjoy. Of course, if you have any of your own to add, then please do so in the comments section. I always enjoy when people engage my website!
First up is the DOA Shrimp Body Bag. It's worth noting since we see a lot of tiny shrimp around these dock lights as well, and sometimes speckled trout key in on those.
I rig them onto the same jighead as the Matrix Mini, but I wouldn't say that having these (or not) will make or break your fishing trip.
You're Gonna Want A Smaller Rod
Because these lures are so much smaller and weight significantly less than what we normally throw during the day, you are going to want a rod, reel and line to match.
Trying to throw these on a medium power and 3000 size spinning reel just isn't going to work. If you've read my guide to selecting a great fishing rod, then you know that something much smaller and lighter is a better option.
Walk into local stores like Gus' Tackle in Slidell or Chag's Sporting Goods in Metairie and they can get you squared away, or look for something with the following specifications:
- 100 size spinning reel
- ~ 6ft long spinning rod
- light action
- 6-8lb fluorocarbon fishing line
The Lew's Laser Lite spinning combo is a great option. You can get one on Amazon at this link (which is an affiliate link that supports this blog, at no additional cost to you).
Consider Throwing A Double Rig
In order to make casting easier — especially if you cannot get the wind to your back — consider tying a Double Rig to get a little more oomph into that cast. Find complete instructions in this guide.
Where can you go to fish speckled trout at night?
While most dock lights are best accessed with a boat or kayak, there are public fishing piers you can use. There's a good one in Grand Isle and another in Slidell on Lake Pontchartrain. But be warned! Sometimes these close for one reason or another, so it's always good to check.
After that, there's a lot of dock lights in Grand Isle and in the neighborhoods of Slidell. Launching out of Bridgeside Marina in Grand Isle or The Pointe in Slidell are good places to get started.
Use what you learn here to have fun catching speckled trout at night!
Unlock Your Next Fishing Trip
There's more to catching speckled trout than just knowing what lures to throw. There's also:
These things and more are what I teach inside my membership LAFB Elite, where courses like Inshore Fishing 101 will lift the veil on the mystery of all the things listed above.
You can spend years learning it the hard way, or I can show it all to you the easy way.
“
Back when I first started fishing 10 years ago I was looking all over for someone teaching something like Captain Devin's Inshore Fishing 101, but there was no one.
I think of the many, many days that my buddy and I were out running around trying to find fish and didn't know what's taught inside 101.
We didn't have a chance.
We didn't understand the conditions, the necessary tackle, the seasonal conditions that required different techniques, etc. But that has all changed now that I've completed Inshore Fishing 101.
It's so much more fun to understand the bigger picture and use a process to find and catch fish! And yes! We catch a boatload more fish!
Michael Schultz
“
I'm a recent transplant from north Louisiana, and most of inshore fishing is brand new to me. I bought a boat last year and made a vow to learn as much as I can about the marsh, and feel like I've done just that!
I've bass fished a good bit so I have some basic knowledge and have been able to catch fish every time I've gone, just not numbers. I feel that this is taking me to the next level.
Time to catch a limit!
Steven Hinton
“
You’re selling yourself short if you don’t join. It’s all the information that most guides know, right at you fingertips.
If you join and use the site for what it’s for, you WILL catch more fish.
+1 on the clear sparkle beetles! I don’t know why I didn’t include them here, so I’m glad you brought it up. Thank you so much, Terry!
Storm wildeye shad 3 inche and clear sparkle beetles with a dipped garlic tail have worked very well for me throwing them outside the light in the dark areas just outside the light
Very honored to have Captain Rory commenting here! lol
Yes, I know what rig you’re talking about and that’s a great idea. It may be easier to cast, too.
That’s the biggest problem I had fishing these lights. I didn’t want to be an a-hole and get “too close” because you never know how people on the dock will react.
Most of the time they’re cordial, sometimes you can hold a nice conversation, and a few times I’ve had them completely wig out on me, yelling, throwing tackle and turning off the lights.
If I didn’t own LAFB I’d test the boundaries a little more, but my face and boat are plastered all over the Internet, so I have to mind my P’s an Q’s.
Even if I don’t do anything “bad”, perception is still reality.
So I give folks their space and more, but I cannot cast a 1/16oz jighead 50 yards, either.
I’d throw a 1/2oz drop shot, but it rarely gets any hits because the trout are feeding right at the surface.
So it’s a tough nut to crack.
But, if I am able to get close enough I’ll tear ’em up.
Another killer bait to use at night is a Sabiki rig. You know the multiple hook rigs used offshore to catch bait. You have a whole bunch of tiny baits and might end up with a handful of trout on one cast.
For you fly fishing guys and gals, you can have a blast at night. Those flies are the right size to match the bait around the lights.