Speckled Trout (more formally referred to as "spotted seatrout" - Cynoscion nebulosus), is a common estuary fish found in the southern United States.  Near Shell Island Fish Camp most of these fish are caught on the shallow, grassy flats or the nearby oyster bars but Speckled Trout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of St. Georges Island to far up the Wakulla, St. Marks or Ochlocknee rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather.   Speckled Trout (spotted seatrout) are a member of the drum family (Sciaenidae).

Description

Speckled Trout have large, prominent canine teeth; dark back with grey or silvery sides marked with scattered black spots of varying size.  Black spots are also present on the dorsal and tail fins. Its shape and coloration is reminiscent of a Brown Trout, hence the name.  In our nearby waters, these fish often have a golden hue due to tannic brackish water due to the many rivers and swamps that drain into Apalachee Bay and the surrounding waters.

The average size of Speckled trout are 1 to 2 lb and often fish up to 5 lb are common (the world record is 17 lb 7 oz). These fish are active most at dawn and dusk. And a proven catching technique is at dark to throw out a glow stick into the water and cast around it as these fish are attracted to light. (shrimp is ideal bait)

Like all members of the drum family, mature males produce a "drumming" sound to attract females during the spawning season (May through early September).  Speckled Trout are often found in the shallow tidal creeks (the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers, West Goose Creek, Oyster Bay, Ochlockonee River and the East flats) and near flooded salt marshes and estuaries.  Spotted Seatrout often congregate heavily over oyster bars and is fished both commercially and recreationally.

Typical Habitat

The species is euryhaline and tolerates a wide range in salinity but prefers the low to medium salinity of the coastal waters in and near Apalachee Bay and the flats between St. Marks and the Econfina River.

Feeding Habits

Speckled Trout are voracious predators that feed on a variety of animals found near the bottom and at midwater.   Their favorite diets include mullet, menhaden, Atlantic croaker, spot, anchovies, and silversides.  They also greedily devour shrimp and crabs. Schools of Trout seem to be constantly searching for food. Adults form small schools, and with the incoming tide, move onto shoals to feed.

Speckled Trout make for excellent tablefare with a firm, white meat.

Fish big baits for big trout. 

Big trout are typically lazy and are not interested in working hard for their next meal.  Big speckled trout will devour huge fish and it's not uncommon for a gator trout to attack small trout while they're being reeled in. The key: You want big trout?  Fish big baits.

If you're going go after "Big Trout", here's a few tips from fishing guides that make a living tracking fish and studying their habits.

- make long casts, look for the biggest fish in skinny water. 

- use soft baits and slow retrieves. Look for grassy areas with sand patches, cast past the sandy openings, then a slow retrieve: twitch, twitch, twitch and pause.

- for the bigger trout hanging in skinny water with schools of large mullet during the spring and summer.  You must keep casting long casts and don't give up on an area if you know it holds gator trout.

- keep an eye out on the flats all winter long.  Gator trout will hold in sandy depressions searching  for a few degrees warmer water even on cold days.

- look for clean water on the flats with deep water nearby for safe haven. 

- try loud surface lures and popping flies.  The more noise, the better chances of attracting big trout.

- fish the shallow water during the winter when searching for four to six pound trout.

- look for rotten sea grass on the flats.  Some guides believe the decomposing grass warms the water and attracts mullet, crabs and other food for big trout.

-  Medium sized shrimp work, better than the larger ones because they stay active longer on the hook. 

- use large live baits for gator trout, but also note that gator trout are attracted to the noise of loud surface lures.

Spotted sea trout need to be handled with extreme care. They are less suited for catch and release that their redfish cousins and its important to use a dehooking device to release them.  Try to touch them as little as possible and it's important to wet your hands PRIOR to touching them.    The "slime" protects them from infection and when it gets on your hand, it's coming off of the fish. Wetting your hand (or using Catch & Release gloves) helps minimize the loss of their protective slime).