Spotted Seatrout(Cynoscion nebulosus)
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Speck, Yellowmouth, Spotted seatrout
- Size Range: Speckled trout are normally 1 to 3 pounds, but fish larger than that are not rare. Fish over 10 pounds are considered to be a trophy.
- Native Species?: Yes
- Food Value: The edibility is considered excellent—they are a very delicate fish and best when fresh.
State Record
- Louisiana State Record: 12.38lbs
- State Record Date: 4/1/1950
- State Record Holder Leon Mattes
The spotted seatrout has a silver body with black speckles, mainly on the top. They are a small-scaled, delicate fish with a yellowish mouth and a few prominent teeth in the roof of the mouth.
Speckled trout are found throughout the Gulf in bays and estuaries and out to 30 feet of water. They school in areas where baitfish and current changes are present. They have been shown to migrate with salinity changes during different seasons.
The speckled trout is one of the most sought after of Louisiana’s diverse sport fish species. They are fished with a variety of methods, including live bait and many types of artificial lures.
Spotted Seatrout Rules and Regulations
| Size Limit : | Minimum size limit of 12 inches |
| Bag and Possession Limit : | 25 fish per person daily bag limit. |
| Seasons : | No Closed Season |
| Special Rules : | See exceptions |
12” minimum total length, 25 fish per person daily bag limit. EXCEPT: 15 fish daily bag and possession limit, with no more than two spotted seatrout exceeding 25” total length, regardless of where taken in a defined area of Cameron and Calcasieu parishes located in southwestern Louisiana. The defined area, including coastal territorial waters, is as follows: south of Interstate 10 from its junction at the Texas-Louisiana boundary eastward to its junction with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Highway 14, south to Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown, south to Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82 to Oak Grove, then due south to the western shore of the Mermentau River, following this shoreline south to the junction with the Gulf of Mexico, and then due south to the limit of the state territorial sea.
Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two day’s bag limit on land; however, no person shall be in possession of over the daily bag limit in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours.
Take or Possession of red drum in federal waters is prohibited.
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Related Fishing Methods
Drift Fishing
Drift fishing can encompass a variety of fishing methods. Bottom fishing over structure is often done while drifting. Timing the drop of your baits as you pass by the structures below is the trick. Also knowing when you have drifted beyond the fish is a key element to being succesful. Anglers also drift while live bait fishing and chunking for bluewater pelagic fish like tuna. The use of live bait or chunks is a slower presentation where the fish are drawn to the boat by smell or vibration of live fish. Inshore you can drift along while casting for trout and redfish with baits or lures. One of the main benefits of drift fishing is that you can quietly cover ground while searching for feeding fish.
Jigging
A versatile method of fishing for many types of fish in both freshwater and salt. A jig is a lure, normally a lead-headed lure with many various types of body/tail configurations made of rubber, hair and feather. Jigs are one of the most versatile of all lures and can be tipped with bait or not. Traditionally jigs are worked in variety of up and down motions, and can be fished throughout the entire water column, depending on the fishery. A modern form of jigs called metal jigs has taken hold and many varieties and shapes have been developed to work different ways. Made famous by the Shimano Butterfly Jig and now produced by many companies in many variations. If I could only have one lure to fish with it would be a jig.
Live Bait
Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.
Topwater
Topwater fishing refers to the working of lures that are designed to float on the surface and twitch, splash and swim like a wounded prey. The visual aspect of the bite makes this a very popular way to fish. Most predatory fish will crash a topwater plug at one time or another. Early morning, evening times are traditionally better in freshwater and inshore saltwater fisheries. Offshore for pelagics like tuna, it is more about getting in range of feeding fish and working the lure in the zone. Hang on!
