Spotted Seatrout

Two large, recurvate canine teeth in the front of the upper jaw stand out noticeably on the spotted seatrout.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A SPOTTED SEATROUT

There are round black spots on the back and upper flanks and on the tail and second dorsal fin.

 

WHERE TO CATCH SPOTTED SEATROUT

The spotted seatrout occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean from New York to the Gulf of Mexico, from Virginia southward, particularly off the coasts of North Carolina and Texas. An inshore, schooling species, it usually inhabits the shallow areas of bays and estuaries. They range as far north as Long Island in late spring. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

BACKFLOW                                 BAYS AND ESTUARIES

MAN-MADE STRUCTURES                    ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS

SCHOOLS                                        EDDIES

SMALL POINTED WAVES                     SALTWATER WEED BEDS

BAYS                                    CHANNEL ENTRANCES  

RIPPLES, CURRENTS, SWIRLS AND SPRAYS     SALTWATER AND TIDES

DROP-OFFS                                  MERGING CURRENTS

STANDING WAVES                              CURRENT EDGES

 

HOW TO CATCH SPOTTED SEATROUT

This bottom dwelling, predatory fish feeds at any level. It may be taken by chumming from a drifting or anchored boat, by trolling, jigging, surfcasting or fly-fishing. Shrimp is the most popular and effective bait. Whenever shrimp are abundant, spotted seatrout feed on them almost exclusively. It may be caught in salt or brackish water and shows preference for shallow waters of estuaries. They rate highly as a food fish, but tend to spoil rapidly so should be eaten soon after capture. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

JIGGING     FLY FISHING   DRIFT FISHING   STILL FISHING

 

SPOTTED SEATROUT LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

CUT BAIT     JIGS      SALTWATER LIVE BAIT    SPOONS

FLIES        PLUGS      SHRIMP