Fish of the Day Speckled Sea Trout!

Speckle Sea trout is a common estuarine fish found in the southern United States along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean. While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy Flats, sea trout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the spotted sea trout is not a member of the trout family  but of the drum family .Recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States is pretty robust .Big Trout or Gator Trout some call it can reach over 15 lbs. and 25 inches. Speckled means they have dots on them and a lot of new anglers mistake the Sand Trout which is silver white same features but smaller and no spots, usually sand trout are caught on sandy inlets and beach fronts in the surf, They are not usually as large but fun to catch and the table fare for both the sea trout is high on the list.

Sea Trout eat large amounts of shrimp and other crustaceans. As they grow larger they move on to mud minnows and pinfish or pogey, As they grow really Gator  trout strongly prefer to feed on mullet; a large trout will find the largest mullet it can handle and try to swallow it. Often the mullet is half or two-thirds as large as the trout these boys and girls are bad hombre’s  when they get past  5 lbs., it takes a tough fish to survive that long in the inshore eat or be eaten world.

The Speckle Sea Trout can reproduce after about 3 years and it is our opinion that the biologist may not know the exact timing and nature of the sea trout spawn. Why? you say well we have caught fish in the middle of July in the gulf that are spawning and also in the cooler months of February. We think they may spawn a couple of times a year and that usually happens in the heavy grass cover on the flats.

In either case like the redfish or red drum, mature males make a "drumming" sound to attract females during the spawning season.

Did you know over 6 million Speckled Sea Trout where harvested in the US last year by inshore anglers, that’s a lot of Trout and they are almost all caught on hook and line? We will have some special tackle box requirements on the speckle seas trout coming.

 

Tackle Box:

Line: 10-12lb line Mono or Braid

Reel: Bait Casting or Spinning 1000-3000 is preferred spinning rod in bait casting Abu Garcia SX, and Winch models along with a Quantum Smoke all get it done, We prefer a round reel from Shimano or Abu in the 4000-5000 series great for bait and lure fishing!

Lures: 1/16-1/4 Jig Heads from Bass Assassin, Bomber, Berkley Gulp, need to be wide gap 4 hooks with saltwater resistance.  Hard Baits like the Redfin, Biteabait, Mirrolure, Paul Brown Lures, Spoons thee twitching and being able to fish in shallow water with the bait suspending will mimic at mullet or pin fish that can equal big trout. Keep the tackle box full of Berkley Gulps with New Penny, White, and Natural, Nuclear Chicken, Darker colors and chartreuse colors work great as well. BERKLEY GULPS can be fished a variety of ways as well as live shrimp  so have some 1/0-2/0 hooks for bait shrimp and most of all as you get up close have some fluke hooks or some call them swim bait hooks and try 1/16-1/4 and put on a 5inch Berkley Shad in pink, new penny, or white sink slow and hang on, Leader material use some fluorocarbon if it makes sense in clear water 12-15lb max. Add 3 popping corks  3” Ovals are all round good ones have them in your tackle box from brands like Cajun Thunder or Billy Bay. You can fish live bait or Jigs with Berkley gulps under a popping cork.

Fishing Rod: 7’0”-8’0” medium action and a medium heavy action rod are both required for a good trout angler one for the money when you are bait fishing and catching big trout use the Medium Heavy. For the show and you need to work a popping cork ,twitch bait or finesse a bite up close to the grass a 7’6” medium Action. 6-15lb 1/16-1/2 oz. and 8-17 ¼-3/4 lure weight will be the best for in the money time.

Terminal Tackle: Swivels make sure they are brass or titanium or you will be broken off the next time you go saltwater is tough on terminal. We do not recommend snap on swivels for your leader material or live bait hooks direct tie to swivel size 2, 3, 4 should work pretty good but have up to a 4/0 to be safe.

Hooks 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0 should be on the box, have some spare treble hooks in 3.4.5 size to replace hooks on lures that will happen!

Pliers: Trout have teeth and good pair of pliers is important with long nose from Rapala , Berkley or even better some than are made to take the salt or you want be able to open them after about a month in the box.

Bug Repellent: SKEETER BEETER check it out

Good landing net: The Slim on the Sea Trout is what keeps it healthy small less than 15 inches go back have a good soft landing net to handle and release without taking out of water when you can.

Recipe:

HOUSE OF AUTRY FISH BATTER: Please get some or try Shorty’s it is Awesome also!

SPECKLED TROUT - PAN FRY  

Flour

6 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. parsley

Juice of 1 lemon

1 lb. speckled trout filet