Speckled seatrout (also known as spotted seatrout) can be found along the entire Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Keys and the entire Atlantic Coast of Florida. They’re one of the most popular inshore fish to target due to their abundance and delicious meat. Speckled seatrout visually resembles freshwater trout due to their black spots; however, they are a close relative to red drum and other drum species.

While there are no guarantees in fishing, if you follow the guidance in this article, you’ll likely have a fun trout-filled day.

What Gear Should I Use to Catch Speckled Seatrout?

Choosing the right gear is essential for saltwater fishing. This is no different for catching speckled seatrout. Let's start with selecting the right rod.

Rod

You want a spinning rod with a medium light to medium power rating to provide enough backbone to reel the fish in while still being sensitive enough to feel the bites and keep the fishing sporty. The length of the rod can be anywhere from 6’6” to 7’6”. This is the sweet spot for accurate casting and leverage for fighting a seatrout-sized fish.

I recommend the Temple Fork Outfitters Tactical Inshore Spinning Rod. This rod is designed for inshore fishing and fits all the specifications we’re looking for at an affordable price.

Spinning Reel

Next up on the list of gear required for speckled seatrout fishing is a high-quality spinning reel. When choosing a fishing reel, make sure the one you choose is rated for saltwater. Manufacturers put extra detail into sealing the internal components of saltwater reels to prevent the salt from causing rust and corrosion. A 2000-3000 sized spinning reel will provide the perfect amount of drag for fighting seatrout. The Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel is one of my favorites and pairs perfectly with the Temple Fork rod mentioned earlier.

Braided Fishing Line

As with most inshore fishing, you want to spool your reel with a braided fishing line. A 10-20lb test is as high as you need to go for targeting seatrout. Daiwa J-Braid X4 Fluorescent Yellow Braided Line is a great option. Using a high visibilty braided line helps you track where your line is in the murky inshore waters where trout live.

At the end of your line, it’s always essential to tie 2-4 feet of 10-20lb fluorocarbon leader. I personally use and recommend Seaguar Blue Label Saltwater Fluorocarbon. This leader will be much less visible to the fish in the water. While trout won’t typically bite through your line, they have canine teeth resembling fangs in their upper jaw. (These fangs are why large trout are often referred to as “gator trout.”) The fluorocarbon will also provide abrasion resistance to reduce the chances of breaking off on oyster bars or mangrove roots.

What Bait and Lures Should I Use?

Lures

Speckled seatrout are not picky. They’ll bite most moving lures in the 2-4in size. Some of the most common lures used to target them are spoons, paddle tails, and walk-the-dog style topwater plugs. Spoons and paddle tails can be retrieved by the angler with a steady, straight retrieve.

If your lure gets or keeps getting caught up in the grass, consider using weedless hooks for your paddle tails instead of jigs. They keep the hook point tucked into the soft plastic, preventing it from snagging into the grass.

Topwater lures are best in low light conditions like sunrise and sunset. During these times, fish are more tuned in to feeding at the water’s surface and are more likely to strike a topwater lure.

Live Baits

There are two live baits that speckled seatrout can’t resist: shrimp and pilchards (also referred to as whitebait or greenies). You can buy shrimp at any bait shop along the Gulf Coast through the eastern coast of Florida. In contrast, pilchards may be more difficult to come across; they will require a cast net to catch them yourself. If you want to learn more about how to catch your own pilchards and other live bait, check out this article where I go into much greater detail on this process: What Are the Best Live Baits for Saltwater Species?.

The most effective method when targeting seatrout with live shrimp or pilchards is using a popping cork. A popping cork separates the braided line from the leader line and keeps the bait floating off the seafloor's bottom. Tie on just enough leader line to keep your bait out of the grass or oysters in your fishing area. After you cast your bait out, give your line a few small jerks. Popping corks are designed with a small cup on their top end, so this motion will pull the cork through the water giving a “popping sound” that attracts fish to it.

Where Can I Find Speckled Seatrout?

When it comes to seatrout, finding fish is half the battle. Once you find an area with a good fish population, it’s pretty simple to start catching them. However, there are a few key features to look out for when searching for trout.

About 99% of the time, speckled seatrout is located in or around seagrass beds. There are areas of seagrass “flats” scattered throughout the estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico. Grass flats are a refuge for many baitfish species, such as mullet and pinfish, that predators like to prey on. (These grassy areas are also home to redfish, snook, and black drum.) Finding these spots is crucial to your success in catching trout. They are typically located near mangrove islands close to passes or inlets. Trout typically populate the grass flats in 3-8 feet of water. They spend most of their time swimming through the grass, looking for bait fish and small crustaceans to feed on.

Once you find a grass flat, it’s important to time your fishing with the tides. All inshore species feed most when the current is flowing the fastest. This generally correlates to halfway between the low and high tides (and vice versa). Check your local tide charts to determine what time of day you will fish. Fishing during the peak of the tidal movements can make or break a day of fishing.

Handling Speckled Seatrout

For Food

If you’re planning on keeping trout to eat, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the quality of the meat. First, always check the local regulations in your area to ensure you’re allowed to keep seatrout. There are certain specifications state by state and even in different regions of each state on the total length and number of trout allowed per person (also known as a bag limit).

The first thing you want to do if you’re going to harvest a speckled trout (or any fish you plan to eat) is bleed them. Cut the fleshy red part of their gills with a sharp knife to let the blood drain out. While this may seem gruesome, it’s essential to preparing fish for the dinner table. Bleeding the fish will rid the meat of any “gamey” taste and produce a much whiter, more palatable flavor. After the fish is bled, put it on ice immediately. Doing so will keep the fish fresh until you can filet it later.

For Sport

If you’re fishing for sport and don’t plan on keeping fish to eat, it’s important to handle the fish properly to give them the best chances of surviving to be caught another day. This is especially true of speckled seatrout, which is more delicate than other saltwater fish and requires more attention to detail when handling them.

Speckled seatrout has a slime coat on their body that protects them from bacteria. Grabbing a seatrout with dry hands can remove a large portion of that slime coat, leaving them susceptible to infection and disease. Always wet your hands before handling trout. When your hands are wet, the slime coat is much less affected, giving the fish the best odds of survival after being released.

Conclusion

Speckled seatrout is one of the most fun fish to target, whether you’re bringing new anglers out for a fun day of trout fishing or on a mission to fill the cooler with dinner. Following the advice in this guide will almost guarantee an action-packed day of inshore fishing! If you have any questions or are interested in any of the gear mentioned here, check out the Expert Journal here on Curated for more Fishing content.