Saltwater · Year-round in Florida and the Gulf; spring and fall feed hardest
Spotted Seatrout
Cynoscion nebulosus
A soft-mouthed, speckled inshore predator of grass flats from Texas to Florida — not a true trout at all, but a member of the drum family. Trout ambush shrimp and baitfish over grass and strike soft plastics readily.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Dark grey-green back with distinct black spots scattered over the back, tail and soft dorsal fin
- No scales on the soft dorsal fin — spots there are a key mark
- One or two prominent canine teeth at the tip of the upper jaw
- Silvery sides and belly, with a soft, delicate mouth
- Look-alike: red drum carry a single spot at the tail base and an underslung, barb-free mouth
Habits
- Ambush feeder over grass, taking shrimp, pinfish and mullet
- Most active at dawn, dusk and on moving tides
- Larger fish are often solitary; school fish run smaller
- Moves to deeper holes and channels during cold snaps
Distribution
Where to find them
- Seagrass flats with sandy potholes, in 2-5 ft
- Deeper holes and channel bends after a cold front
- Dock lights and creek mouths at first light
- Oyster-bar edges where current sweeps bait past
Where they live
How to catch them
Soft plastics over grass
Rig: 1/8-1/4 oz jig head with a 4 in paddle-tail or jerk shad
Bait/lure: White, chartreuse and natural-shrimp plastics
Key tip: Use a light drag and a soft hookset — trout mouths tear easily.
Topwater at dawn
Rig: Walk-the-dog plug on a short 20 lb leader
Bait/lure: Bone and chrome topwater plugs
Key tip: Work pothole edges at first light before the sun pushes fish deeper.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 7 ft medium-light spinning rod
- Line: 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader
- Terminal: Jig heads 1/8-1/4 oz, soft plastics, popping corks
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 14-22 in, 1-4 lb; gator trout 8 lb+
On the table
Excellent — delicate white flesh; best eaten fresh, soft when frozen.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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