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How-To Catch Speckled Trout in the Gulf

How-To Catch Gulf Coast Speckled Trout

How-To Catch Speckled Trout in the Gulf of Mexico

Speckled trout, also known as spotted seatrout, are a popular game fish found in the Gulf of Mexico. A species that can be caught year-round, but the best time to fish for them is during the fall and winter months. Let’s explore a few helpful tips and techniques for catching speckled trout in the Gulf.

Watch EP27: Catching Speckled Trout

Catching Speckled Trout in Shell Beach Louisiana Trout, Redfish & Sheepshead

Saltwater Fishing Join us as we venture out of Shell Beach Louisiana in search for Speckled trout outside the marsh of Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. In this episode we use a variety of fishing rig setups, and variations for catching fish including Speckled Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead and Drum.

Fishing Tips and Techniques for Catching Sea Trout

Learning To Catch Sea Trout

To effectively catch Sea Trout (Speckled Trout/ White Trout), it’s important to understand their behavior. Speckled trout tend to move towards shallow waters during low-light conditions and retreat to deeper waters during the daytime.

Speckled Trout also prefer structures such as rocks, jetties, grass beds, and oyster reefs to hide and hunt prey. Knowing where these structures are and when to fish for speckled trout will help to increase your chances of success.

What are the Best Times to Catch Speckled Trout?

In the warmer months, the best time of day to catch speckled trout is typically early in the morning or late in the afternoon. During these times, the lower light levels make trout more active and likely to feed, as they prefer to avoid the bright midday sun.

Dawn and dusk offer cooler water temperatures and reduced surface activity, which encourages speckled trout to come closer to the surface and shallow areas to hunt for food. Therefore, targeting these periods can significantly increase your chances of a successful catch.

However in the cooler months, you’ll find feeding times for most fish species migrate to about mid-day or when the sun is high in the sky.

What are the Best Ways to Catch Speckled Trout?

Fishing for speckled trout, or spotted seatrout, is an activity enjoyed by many anglers. Knowledge of their habits and preferences, combined with the appropriate equipment, increases the chances of a successful catch.

There are several effective fishing techniques for catching speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico:

Artificial Lures for Speckled Trout

Speckled trout are known to strike at artificial lures such as soft plastic baits, topwater plugs, and jigs.

Use lures that mimic the prey that speckled trout feed on, such as shrimp, mullet, and minnows. Vary the retrieve speed and presentation to attract speckled trout.

Live Bait for Sea Trout

Live bait such as shrimp, mullet, and pogies are effective in catching speckled trout.

Use a popping cork or a Carolina rig to keep the bait off the bottom and increase its visibility.

Sea trout are known to be opportunistic feeders, so having a variety of bait options can increase your chances of enticing them to bite.

What is the Best Bait for Speckled Sea Trout?

When it comes to targeting sea trout, especially in Florida, choosing the right bait can make a significant difference in your success.

Here are some effective bait options to consider for catching sea trout:

Live Shrimp: Live shrimp are a go-to bait for sea trout. They are natural prey for these fish and can be rigged on a hook under a popping cork or free-lined to mimic a wounded shrimp swimming in the water.

Soft Plastic Jerkbaits: Soft plastic jerkbaits in natural colors, such as white, pearl, or silver, can imitate injured baitfish. The erratic movement of these lures can trigger aggressive strikes from sea trout.

MirrOLure and Rapala Lures: MirrOLure and Rapala plugs, particularly those designed for shallow-water fishing, can be effective for targeting sea trout. These lures mimic wounded baitfish and can be retrieved in a twitch-and-pause manner to attract strikes.

Spoons: Silver or gold spoons with a wobbling action can mimic small baitfish. Casting and retrieving spoons in areas where sea trout are known to feed can yield good results.

Live Baitfish: If available and legal, using live baitfish such as mullet, pilchards, or pinfish can be highly effective. These baitfish are part of the natural diet of sea trout and can be used with a variety of rigging methods.

Topwater Lures: During low-light conditions or in the early morning or late evening, topwater lures like poppers and walking baits can entice sea trout to strike on the surface.

Cut Bait: Cut pieces of mullet, pinfish, or other baitfish can also attract sea trout. Cast cut bait near structures such as grass beds, drop-offs, or mangroves.

Gulp! Shrimp: Gulp! artificial baits are scented soft plastics that can be very effective for sea trout. Their scent dispersion and realistic appearance can make them irresistible to these fish.

Fishing for speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico is an fun experience that rewards both seasoned anglers and beginners alike.

Whether you’re using live baits, soft plastics, or artificial lures, knowing which bait works best in various conditions can elevate your fishing game significantly.

Best Places to Catch Sea Trout


The best places to catch speckled trout are typically in coastal estuaries, shallow bays, and inshore waters with seagrass beds or oyster reefs. These environments provide ideal habitats for speckled trout, offering abundant food sources and shelter.

Areas where freshwater mixes with saltwater, known as brackish waters, are also hotspots for speckled trout, especially around river mouths and inlets. These fish are often found in water depths ranging from 2 to 10 feet, making them accessible to both shore-based and boat anglers.

Additionally, fishing near structures like docks, piers, and jetties can be effective, as speckled trout are attracted to these areas for feeding.

Best Gulf Coast Locations to Catch Sea Trout

Speckled trout can be found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, but some areas are known for their abundance of speckled trout. Some of the best places to catch speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico are:

Louisiana

The coastal waters of Louisiana are known for their abundant speckled trout population.

Areas such as Grand Isle, Barataria Bay, and Lake Pontchartrain are popular spots for speckled trout fishing.

Texas

The bays and estuaries of Texas are home to speckled trout, with the Galveston Bay system being a particularly productive area for speckled trout fishing.

Florida

The Florida panhandle has excellent speckled trout fishing opportunities, particularly in the Choctawhatchee Bay and Apalachicola Bay areas.

Gear and Tackle for Speckled Trout Fishing

When fishing for speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico, it’s important to use the right gear and tackle. Here are some recommendations:

Rod and Reel for Trout

Use a medium-action spinning rod and reel combo with a 10-15 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line.

Size Hooks for Sea Trout

Use size 1/0 to 3/0 hooks for live bait and soft plastic lures.

Popping Cork

A popping cork can increase the visibility of live bait and attract speckled trout.

Jig Heads for Trout

Use jig heads between 1/16 to 1/4 oz with soft plastic baits.

Speckled Trout Habitat and Behavior

Speckled trout, also known as spotted seatrout, are a popular game fish found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast. Understanding sea trout preferred habitats and behavior is essential to catching them.

Habitat of Speckled Trout

Speckled trout can be found in a variety of habitats, including:

Inshore Waters

Speckled trout are often found in shallow inshore waters, such as bays, estuaries, and tidal creeks.

Spotted Sea Trout prefer these areas because they offer protection from predators and access to food sources.

Nearshore Waters

Speckled trout can also be found in nearshore waters, particularly around jetties, piers, and other structures.

These structures provide cover and attract prey, making them ideal feeding grounds for speckled trout.

Offshore Waters

While speckled trout are primarily an inshore species, they can occasionally be found in offshore waters during certain times of the year.

Offshore speckled trout tend to be larger and more solitary than inshore speckled trout.

Behavior of Speckled Trout

A better understanding of speckled trout behavior really can help to catch more of them. Here are some key behaviors of Speckled Trout to be aware of:

Feeding Habits of Sea Trout

Speckled trout are opportunistic feeders that will eat a variety of prey, including shrimp, crabs, mullet, and menhaden.

Speckled Trout tend to feed more actively during low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk.

Movement Patterns of Speckled Trout

Speckled trout are known to move with the tide and current, particularly in areas with strong currents.

Sea Trout also tend to move towards shallow waters during low tide and retreat to deeper waters during high tide.

Sea Trout Spawning

Speckled trout spawn in the spring and summer months, typically in estuaries and other inshore waters.

During spawning season, trout congregate in large schools, making them easier to target.

Sensitivity to Water Quality

Speckled trout are sensitive to changes in water quality, particularly temperature and salinity.

Most Sea Trout prefer water temperatures between 60-75°F and salinities between 15-30 ppt.

Watch Video: How-To Catch Speckled Trout

How-to Catch Speckled Trout

Speckled trout are one of the most popular saltwater fish to target, and for good reason. They’re aggressive biters and put up a good fight, making them a blast to catch and they taste great!

Tips for Catching Speckled Trout

Now that you have a better understanding of the habitat and behavior of gulf coast speckled trout, here are some tips for catching them:

The Right Bait for Speckled Trout

Speckled trout prefer live bait such as shrimp, mullet, and menhaden.

If using artificial lures, choose lures that mimic the prey that speckled trout feed on.

Fish During Low-Light Conditions

Speckled trout are more active and easier to catch during dawn and dusk, as well as during overcast days.

Target Structure

Speckled trout are often found near structures such as jetties, piers, and oyster reefs.

These structures provide cover and attract prey, making them ideal feeding grounds for speckled trout.

Use Light Tackle for Sea Trout

Speckled trout have a delicate mouth, so it’s important to use light tackle to avoid tearing the hook out of their mouth.

How-To Catch Speckled Trout FAQs

The best time of year to catch speckled trout varies depending on the location. In general, the fall and winter months are the prime times for speckled trout fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, while the summer months are better along the Atlantic coast.
Speckled trout prefer live bait such as shrimp, mullet, and menhaden. If using artificial lures, choose lures that mimic the prey that speckled trout feed on, such as soft plastic baits, topwater plugs, and jigs.
There are several effective rigs for speckled trout fishing, including the popping cork rig and the Carolina rig. Both rigs allow live bait to be presented in a natural way while also increasing its visibility to speckled trout.
Speckled trout like to hide in structures such as rocks, jetties, grass beds, and oyster reefs. These structures provide cover and attract prey, making them ideal feeding grounds for speckled trout.
Speckled trout prefer water temperatures between 60-75°F. Water temperatures above 80°F can stress speckled trout and cause them to become less active.
Speckled trout are more active and easier to catch during low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk. Overcast days can also be productive for speckled trout fishing.
For speckled trout fishing, use a medium-action spinning rod and reel combo with a 10-15 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Use size 1/0 to 3/0 hooks for live bait and soft plastic lures. Polarized sunglasses are also helpful to reduce glare and see speckled trout in shallow waters.
Speckled trout can often be found near structures such as jetties, piers, and oyster reefs. Look for areas with active baitfish and birds diving, as this can indicate the presence of feeding speckled trout.
To properly handle and release speckled trout, wet your hands before handling them and avoid touching their gills or eyes. Use a hook remover tool to safely remove the hook, and quickly release the fish back into the water. Avoid taking them out of the water for extended periods of time, and consider using circle hooks to minimize damage to the fish.
Yes, there are regulations and restrictions on speckled trout fishing, including size limits and bag limits. Check with your local fishing regulations before heading out to ensure compliance with all laws and restrictions.

Explore More: Sea Trout Fishing

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