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Spotted Seatrout

Spotted Seatrout

Spotted Seatrout are members of the drum family (Sciaenidae) known for their distinctive black spots scattered across their silvery bodies and extending into the dorsal and caudal fins.

They are largely non-migratory, spending their lives within 5-10 miles of their natal estuary.

Scientific Name: Cynoscion nebulosus

Also known as speckled seatrout

Physical Characteristics:
  • They have prominent canine teeth and can grow up to 39 inches long, weighing up to 17.5 pounds, though most catches average 15-25 inches and around 5 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • In Florida waters, they're found from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys throughout the Gulf of Mexico, inhabiting shallow coastal and estuarine waters, seagrass beds, salt marshes, and tidal pools with salinities up to 75 parts per thousand and depths less than 33 feet.

Key Locations

  • Prime habitats include Tampa Bay, Mosquito Lagoon, Charlotte Harbor, Indian River Lagoon, the Everglades, Florida Keys, and Fort Myers area.
  • Key locations include the grass flats around Tampa Bay, the clear waters of Mosquito Lagoon for sight fishing, Charlotte Harbor's extensive seagrass beds, Indian River Lagoon's diverse structure, and the backcountry waters around Marco Island and the Everglades.

Specific Spots

  • Fish grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, dock structures, and areas where current flows through seagrass beds.
  • Focus on extensive seagrass beds, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats with sandy potholes.

Spotted Seatrout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Seatrout in Florida?

For artificials, soft plastic jigs on 1/8 oz heads are highly effective, particularly 3-4 inch shrimp and baitfish imitations. Topwater lures like Dahlberg Divers, spooks, and popping corks excel in shallow water, especially over grass flats during high tide.

When is the best time to fish for Spotted Seatrout in Florida?

Spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) offer excellent fishing as waters warm after winter or begin cooling. During winter, target deeper channels and mangrove-lined areas with slower presentations and shrimp patterns.

How do you catch Spotted Seatrout in Florida?

Use polarized sunglasses for sight fishing and focus on areas with a mix of seagrass, current, and baitfish activity. During winter use slower presentations.

What do Spotted Seatrout eat?

As opportunistic carnivores, their diet scales with size - juveniles feed primarily on copepods and mysids, medium-sized trout prefer shrimp and smaller fish, while large specimens target mullet, pinfish, anchovies, menhaden, croaker, and other baitfish.

Where do Spotted Seatrout live in Florida?

In Florida waters, they're found from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys throughout the Gulf of Mexico, inhabiting shallow coastal and estuarine waters, seagrass beds, salt marshes, and tidal pools with salinities up to 75 parts per thousand and depths less than 33 feet.

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