Reds and Specks by Starlight

Fishing Artificial Lures at Night

EDITOR'S NOTE: This week, Captain Jamie Melton of Foley, Alabama, will teach us why he believes the back bays in any coastal area are best by starlight and why you can catch more speckled trout, redfish and flounder after dark.

Question: Do you fish artificial lures at night?

Answer: Yes, artificial lures can be deadly effective at night. Saltwater fly-fishermen should consider using sinking flies like clauser minnows and flies that look like glass minnows. For anglers who fish spinning tackle or bait-casting tackle, the D.O.A. shrimp are hard to beat. I believe the D.O.A. shrimp are the best artificial lures for speckled trout and redfish. You can fish the D.O.A. shrimp in the daytime in deep water with a hard-running tide. You can take the lead out of the lure and fish it over grass in 18 inches of water, or you can fish it at night -- either with or without the lead, depending on how the tide is running.

The D.O.A. shrimp is like a remote-controlled shrimp. You can fish it slow and close to the bottom, or, if the speckled trout are striking near the surface, you can fish it just under the surface of the water. Because the bait is extremely light and made of soft plastic, the lure doesn't make a big splash when it hits the water, and it's not obtrusive in the fish's environment. Since the lure is available in several different colors, you can match the color of the shrimp to the color of the water, fish the lure through a segment of the water you want to fish it through and give the bait any type of action you want it to have.

Question? What's your favorite color of D.O.A. shrimp?

Answer: I've caught specks and reds on all D.O.A. colors, but if I had to choose one, my favorite would be the gold metal flake -- for fishing during the day or night.

For more information, contact Captain Jamie Melton at 309 East Verbena, Foley, AL 36535, or (251) 955-5713. To learn more about DOA (Deadly On Anything) lures, call toll-free (877) DOA-LURE (362-5873), or go to the company's website, www.doalures.com

TOMORROW: NIGHT FISHING FOR THE FAMILY