If you plan to go fishing on the eastern or southeastern coast, speckled sea trout — or specks, as they’re often referred to — are an excellent catch. Speckled sea trout aren’t trout in the traditional sense, like rainbow or brown trout are.
Instead, they are from the drum family of fish. They more closely resemble a redfish or black drum. An easy way to identify speckled sea trout is by listening. The male speckled trout makes a “drumming” noise with their air bladders, which is very distinct.
In this article, we’re sharing everything you need to know about fishing for speckled sea trout, including where to find them, the best bait to use, and more!
Where to Find Speckled Sea Trout
The best place to fish for speckled sea trout is near the Gulf Coast, particularly by Florida. However, anywhere from the Texas coast up through the Mideastern Atlantic is desirable.
You’re most likely to find speckled sea trout in shallow, close-to-shore waterways. They’ll sometimes be located further offshore and even into some rivers and streams, though.
Not surprisingly, speckled sea trout typically hang around the areas where they feed. For example, oyster beds make a great habitat for these fish, not only for the small baitfish, shrimp, and crabs that provide forage for the trout, but also for protection from the ocean current.
When trout are on a feeding cycle or frenzy, they school up and thrust large balls of baitfish to the surface of the water. This, in turn, lures seagulls and other birds to dive down and snatch the baitfish. If you notice large numbers of gulls or other working birds circling above, you can bet there is a large school of sea trout below!
Locating Speckled Sea Trout
Sea trout have a very distinct pattern you’ll want to watch for. In the midst of a feeding frenzy, sea trout actually regurgitate some of their food back into the water. This causes the oils from the partially digested fish to come to the surface, thus causing an “oil slick."
Most notably, if the “slick” is smaller in size, the trout are near. If it appears more dispersed, likely too much time has passed and they may have moved on. Try to keep an eye out for the smaller, more oval-shaped slicks — this usually means the fish are still in their feeding cycle.
The Best Time of Day to Fish for Speckled Sea Trout
The best way to fish for the speckled sea trout is to cast your line in grassy flats that are shallow and warm. The early morning and later afternoon are the best times of day to go fishing. This improves your odds of a great catch.
During midday fishing, you may have more luck heading offshore and into deeper waters.
The Best Bait for Catching Speckled Sea Trout
Sea trout look for the best opportunity to feed, and they are not fussy eaters. This is good news for you because that means you can have success with both live bait and artificial lures or flies. Small crabs or shrimp are a real pleaser to the sea trout, and most anglers have great success with them.
If you want to try your luck with artificial lures, DOA lures are a great choice. Their twitchy, erratic style of motion makes them irresistible to trout.
If you're choosing flies, stick with the most commonly used ones. The same type you would use for redfish should work just fine. The key is to remember to use a sparser streamer. In this case, less is more.
Wading vs. Boat Fishing
Boat fishing allows you to get out to more offshore fishing hot spots. However, wading allows for a more thorough fishing experience. Water temperature, bottom composition, and wind are also easier to gauge in this manner.
If you choose to boat fish, make sure you’re trolling slowly and quietly so as not to spook the fish. Also, make sure your boat is equipped with a marine radio, flares, and life jackets for safety. It’s also important to tell someone where you plan to be fishing in the event of an emergency.
Ready to Fish for Sea Trout?
Whether you land a great catch or not, the experience of being on the water is what counts. Enjoying the beautiful waterways and landscapes are what makes fishing truly enjoyable. Nothing beats a group of friends or family members getting together for a great day enjoying the sun and water. And with a little luck, you’ll be bringing home dinner too!
