Successful fishing trips begin with a plan. This requires you know your target fish, utilize the right rigs and cast in the right spot. This is the season for spotted seatrout, and Code Red Fishing Charters is here to help you get some action on the line. Let’s talk about spotted seatrout and how to optimize your fishing excursion.
Get to Know Your Target Fish
Spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout, and formally known as Cynoscion nebulosus, thrive in estuarine environments. Spotted seatrout are pretty easy to identify. This fish species has prominent canine teeth at the tip of the upper jaw, a large mouth and a protruding lower jaw that extends below the back part of the eye. In adult trout, the jaw glows a bright gold to yellow color. They have small gray to green scales on their back, a white belly, and beautiful hues of silver, yellow and purple on the body. They have an elongated soft dorsal fin that is separated by a deep notch from the spinous dorsal fin. This fish species gets its name from the pattern of scattered spots on its back. They are actually in the drum family, but have a similar shape and coloration of a brown trout. This beautiful inshore game fish is an absolute prize.
Spawning and Behavior
Spotted seatrout spawn multiple times during every season, except for winter. They reach sexual maturity at about two years of age, and can have anywhere from100,000 to over one million eggs. When water temperatures reach about 70 degrees, spawning season has begun. You will find them spawning in bays over seagrass beds between dusk and dawn. The seagrass in Mosquito Lagoon creates the perfect environment to locate food and find shelter, which is a hint about the best places and times to cast.
Since trout generally remain in one central location throughout their entire lifespan, population size is influenced by angling pressure and spawning success. For the most part, trout are non-migratory. Movement is a response to water temperature and spawning. They remain in shallow bays during spring and summer months. As water temperatures dip, trout move into deeper waters. If salinity levels increase, trout will move into deeper rivers and bayous. Trout prefer estuaries and will almost always be found in grassy flats, sand bar edges, mangroves, oyster bars and under docks, which makes Mosquito Lagoon one of the best fishing spots for trout.
The Size of Your Catch
We all want that trophy catch. Spotted seatrout can live up to fifteen years, can reach lengths of about 40 inches and weigh as much as eighteen pounds. Do not get too excited by those measurements. Most trout only live to be about five years of age and average between five to seven pounds. Regardless of the size, every trout is prize.
Seatrout Feeding Habits and Rigs
These opportunistic carnivores have feeding habits which vary with size. Smaller trout feed on smaller crustaceans. Medium-sized trout feed on shrimp and small fish. Larger trout feed on croaker, mullet, pinfish, pigfish and menhaden. You can use a variety of fishing gear to catch seatrout. You can utilize spinning gear, jigs, top-water plugs, and fly tackle while mimicking shrimp and baitfish patterns. Live bait is always a good option. Try to free-line mullet, pinfish or pigfish. Early mornings, late evenings or when skies are overcast are the prime times to fish for spotted seatrout. It can be quite a challenge to catch mature gator trout. The slightest movement can send them scattering.
Best Strategy
Even though spotted seatrout spawn multiple times between spring and fall, the warmer months of spring and summer are the best times of year to catch trout. With that said, it is safe to say trout season is upon us. Begin your fishing trip at first light. Trout feed along the shoreline at night, and ease out into the deeper water when the sun is out. It is best to catch them while they are still in shallow areas. You can also find them in grassy areas and under docks on sunny days. Since trout are skittish, keep the boat quiet and avoid loud conversation. The best trout fishing experiences take place at Mosquito Lagoon.
Plan Your Fishing Charter
Plan your adventure where the planning is done for you. When you fish with Code Red Fishing Charters, you have full access to and full use of all the bait and gear. Bring your angler crew to the fishing trip that is already planned and ready to launch. All the fishing lures, live bait, supplies, license and everything you need to experience the perfect catch are included. Climb aboard with Captain Matt Lee and catch some spotted seatrout. It’s an all-inclusive inshore fishing adventure! Call Captain Matt Lee at (386) 214-3530.
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