Speckled Trout - Spotted Seatrout

Spotted Seatrout or "Speckled Trout" have a streamlined body that is dark silvery gray on the back with a white belly. The upper parts of the fish have an iridescent sheen and black spots. The dorsal and tail fin are also spotted. Spotted Seatrout have a large mouth and 1 or 2 large sharp canine teeth are located at the front of the upper jaw.

Spotted seatrout are voracious predators, especially during the the summer. Small seatrout eat a variety of foods, primarily shrimp and other crustaceans. As the fish grow, they shift their food preference to fish. Adult seatrout feed on smaller fish such as silversides and anchovies, then later in life being to prey fishes such as mullets, croakers and menhaden.

Spotted seatrout was the most popular catch among marine recreational anglers in 2008 as well as 2007. The species is caught in the Gulf of Mexico and the south Atlantic regions, which have the highest combined concentration of saltwater anglers in the nation. 6.8 million fish were caught in 2006. One encouraging statistic is that 75% of recreationally caught speckled trout are released to grow.

In the USA, speckled trout are found from Cape Cod to Florida. The majority of fish are found from the Chesapeake Bay south. In Florida speckled trout are often the most sought after gamefish.

Eric T. Quave of Biloxi set a new Mississippi saltwater sportfishing record for Saltwater Conventional Tackle. The Commission on Marine Resources certified the new record during its May 20 meeting. Quave set the state record May 13 for spotted seatrout with a weight of 10 pounds, 7.66 ounces. The previous record of 10 pounds, 6 ounces was set in 1973.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.

Photo courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

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