SPECKLED TROUT
Destin Fishing Guide
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SPOTTED SEATROUT
(Cynoscion nebulosus)
OTHER NAMES: Trout, Speckled Trout, Speck
RANGE: All Florida coasts.
HABITAT: Spotted Seatrout can be caught in virtually any of Florida's inshore waters, from the outside
surf to far up coastal rivers, and, at times, in fairly deep Gulf water. Most commonly caught from spring
through fall on shallow grassy flats and in grass-lined channels and holes. During cold snaps, they run
for up coastal rivers.
DESCRIPTION: Streamlined shape; large mouth with prominent canine teeth; color gray or silvery with
many prominent black spots on sides. Background may be quite dark, or gold, when fish are in back
bays or streams.
SIZE: Usually 1-2 pounds; common on both coasts to about four pounds. Largest fish, both in average
size and maximum size, come from East Central region, where fish to 10 pounds are taken at times and
where potential is to 15 pounds or more. Gulf Coast trout are considered large at 5-8 pounds, but can
top 10. World and Florida records 17 pounds, 7 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: A table favorite.
GAME QUALITIES: Not exceedingly strong or active, but a hard striker on a variety of baits and quite
sporty on light gear. Showy, surface-thrashing fighter but not a long runner. Sometimes jumps.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning, baitcasting and fly tackle are all effective and sporting. Best natural
baits are live shrimp, live baitfish and strips of cut Mullet or Pinfish. Most popular lures are bait-tail jigs,
swimming plugs and topwater plugs. Poppers are productive flyrod lures over the flats; large streamers
work in all waters
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.
FLORIDA REGULATIONS current as of 12/22/2008
SIZE LIMIT: Not less than 15” or more than 20” (statewide) except one fish over 20” per person
5 per harvester per day in the Destin area
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads & tails intact)
Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the
head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together
while the fish is lying on its side.
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook (ie treble hooks for example) in conjunction
with live or dead natural bait.