What are Speckled Trout? Scientifically known as Cynoscion nebulosus, speckled sea trout are not actually trout but are in the Drum family. Other names you may hear used for them include seatrout, spotted squeteague, spotted trout, and spotted weakfish.
What kind of fish is a speckled trout?
The spotted seatrout is a member of the croaker family (Sciaenidae) and is a first cousin to the Atlantic croaker, red drum, black drum, and sand seatrout. Spotted seatrout prefer shallower bays and estuaries with oyster beds and seagrass beds that attract prey species.
Is sea trout the same as speckled trout?
Speckled trout are known by many different names such as spotted sea trout, specks, yellow mouths, spotted weakfish, and paper mouths.
How old is a 30 inch speckled trout?
9 to 10 years of age
Anglers long ago recognized that most large spot- ted seatrout caught are females and appropriately called them “sow” trout. They commonly live to be 9 to 10 years of age and can reach lengths of more than 30 inches. The record trout taken by rod and reel in Texas mea- sured 37.25 inches and weighed 15.6 pounds.
Is speckled trout healthy?
Trout are very delicate, so returning unwanted or illegal fish promptly to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Spotted seatrout are a good eating fish.
How old is a 14 inch speckled trout?
In Louisiana, males do not reach a size of 14 inches until their third or fourth years. Since few specks live beyond age 5, and more than 70% of the total speckled trout population is age 3 or younger, very few males grow to larger sizes.
Why do speckled trout have worms?
Speckled trout eat those shrimp and small fish and are infected by the worms; Then a shark eats the trout a few years later and the worms end up right back in the shark’s intestines where the life cycle starts all over again.
Are sea trout really trout?
Sea trout is the common name usually applied to anadromous (or sea-run) forms of brown trout (Salmo trutta), and is often referred to as Salmo trutta morpha trutta. In terms of their shape, sea-run brown trout are identical to brown trout, but a sea trout has a much more silvery appearance.
Contrary to its name, the spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of the drum family (Sciaenidae). It is popular for commercial and especially recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Adults reach 19-37 inches in length and 3-17 pounds in weight.
Can speckled trout live in freshwater?
The spotted seatrout have elongated, silvery bodies with irregular black spots on the upper half, and can grow to 39 inches long. They live in seagrass and shallow sandy sea bottoms, venturing into brackish estuaries and up freshwater rivers during cold seasons.
What’s the biggest speckled trout caught?
17 pounds, 7 ounces
The International Game Fish Association All Tackle World Record spotted seatrout stands at 17 pounds, 7 ounces, and was caught in 1995 off Ft. Pierce Fla.
What is the best bait for speckled trout?
Live bait like live shrimp, pinfish or greenbacks works exceptionally well with speckled trout. Still, the great thing about these fish is that they are very willing to strike an artificial lure as well. Consider fly fishing. It can also be a popular and productive approach in targeting speckled trout.
What is the world record speckled trout?
17 pounds, 7 ounces
The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record for a spotted seatrout (another name for a speckled trout) is 17 pounds, 7 ounces caught off Ft. Pierce, Fla., in 1995. Photos courtesy of Spangler and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
What is the best tasting fish?
What is the Tastiest Fish to Eat?
- Cod.
- Sea Bass.
- Halibut.
- Red Snapper.
- Salmon.
- Catfish.
- Swordfish.
Do lake trout have worms?
The most common parasites are Eubothrium salvelini and Echinorhynchus salmonis in the intestine, and Cystidicola stigmatura in the swim bladder. Most of the parasites occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Twenty (80%) of the 25 helminth species reported from lake trout are represented by adults.
What saltwater fish have worms?
Roundworms, called nematodes, are the most common parasite found in saltwater fish, such as cod, plaice, halibut, rockfish, herring, pollock, sea bass and flounder, according to Seafood Health Facts, an online resource about seafood products operated by the Delaware Sea Grant.
What do speckled trout like to eat?
Speckled Trout Baits
Pretty much everything eats live shrimp, so in addition to Trout you might catch Redfish, Drum, Croaker, Catfish, and a host of other species. Larger Speckled Trout are targeted with live baitfish such as croaker and mullet. These can be free-lined and drifted or cast to likely spots.
Are sea trout bottom feeders?
Although seatrout are actually bottom dwellers, they will attack surface flies in shallow water at dawn, but the hookup ratio tends to be pretty low with that method. Most anglers chasing larger seatrout choose baitfish patterns instead: Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, or patterns that imitate mullet or glass minnows.
Is it safe to eat a fish with worms?
Parasites are a natural occurrence, not contamination. They are as common in fish as insects are in fruits and vegetables. Parasites do not present a health concern in thoroughly cooked fish.
Do trout eat meat?
They’re strongly desired just for the sport of catching them, and also to eat. In terms of what rainbow trout eat, these fish are carnivorous.
Can you eat speckled trout eggs?
“Fry in a pan with about one inch of cooking (canola) oil and use a screen cover because they will pop, even though you put holes in them, but not as much as without the holes! They come out delicious.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.