"The Rocks" in Baffin Bay

It's been millions of years since prehistoric worms created the mounds of rocks in Baffin Bay, but I'd be willing to bet that lots of anglers would like to go back in time and thank them for doing so. Those rocks are like a magnet to Baffin's big speckled trout.

Capt. Les Cobb of Baffin Bay Guide Service (512-296-3353) says live croakers fished around these rocks and out into the mouth will be a killer method for big sow trout.

"During summer, those croakers are hard to beat in Baffin. By this time most of the shrimp in the bay have disappeared and the trout go to feeding on the croakers real heavy, " he says. "They've been known to produce some huge fish."

If using croakers isn't your thing, stick with big topwaters to tease those big trout. If the water is murky, go with something that has chartreuse or orange in it. Those colors seem to produce well here.

A note for anglers who have never fished the rocks: It's like fishing any kind of structure. If you don't find fish soon move on to others. You might have to move to several sets of rocks during the course of a day, but at least one of them usually pays off.

Laguna Madre Land Cut

Capt. Don Hand of Don's Guide Service (512-993-2024) gives the Land Cut at the Laguna Madre a big thumbs up as a potential hangout for S.T.A.R. tourney winning trout.

"I'd work the Land Cut over by putting down the trolling motor and easing down the edge," he suggests. "This area is especially good when the tide is low and the sides will be dry. If the tide is in, expect to see tailing trout on the edge of the grass, even during the heat of the day."

Lure-wise, Hand recommends big topwaters or a Bass Assassin rigged with only a hook.

"Lots of guys like fishing the topwaters," he says, "because they seem to weed out lots of the smaller trout, and that's true to an extent. But a soft plastic jerk bait like an Assassin will also catch its share of big fish. I've caught some good ones on it in the past."

Another good method for trout fishing in the Land Cut is to drift the west shoreline and fish a live shrimp either free-lined or under an Alameda Rattling Float or under a Mansfield Mauler rig. Hand recommends that anglers key in on this area when the water is very clear.

Lots of times this area turns on in early June when light southeasterly winds push clear water up from Port Mansfield. With the clear waters comes good fishing.

The South Bay Flats

This area is about as south as a Texas angler can go without having to be fluent in Spanish, and it's this far southerly location that makes the trout here grow big. Warmer water equals more growing time equals larger fish. Get the picture?

The flats in this area, particularly the Mexiquita Flats, get really productive in the fall and are famous for producing large catches of large trout, but they can also be killer in summer. The best trout in this area can be found on the oyster beds with some of the best fishing happening early in the morning before the sun gets up. Large soft plastics like a D.O.A. Baitbuster or noisy topwaters like a Rattlin' Chug Bug or Jerk-N-Sam can lead to big fish.

Capt. Eric Glass (210-761-2878) recommends staying with the oyster beds for big specks.

"If you want to look for trout in that area start with the oysters," he says. "The shorelines can produce too, but there are usually more redfish there. If you've never been here before it's important to note that these oyster beds are tough on fiberglass and lower units. Be careful when navigating and don't get in a hurry."

Good fishing can also be found in the deeper water along the Intracoastal Canal. Live croaker or silver spoons fished along the drop-offs can yield impressive catches. Also, the flats anywhere adjacent to the canal are usually good for a trout. Wading is definitely the best option in this clear water.