🌊 Saltwater

Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Despite its name, the spotted seatrout is not a true trout — it's a member of the drum family. Also called "speckled trout" or just "specks" throughout the South, it is the most popular inshore saltwater fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Beautiful, spotted, and found in grass flats, bays, and estuaries, spotted seatrout are important to coastal fishing economies and culture throughout the Gulf and Atlantic.

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Typical Size
12–25 inches (30–64 cm) typical
⚖️
Weight
1–5 lbs (0.45–2.3 kg) typical; record over 17 lbs (7.9 kg)
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Lifespan
8–12 years; Gulf coast fish rarely exceed 8 years
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Water Type
Saltwater

🗺️ Habitat

Coastal bays, estuaries, and grass flats from Virginia to Texas. Prefers shallow water over seagrass beds. Rarely ventures far offshore.

🔍 How to Identify Spotted Seatrout

  • 1Silver-gray body with distinct black spots on the upper body and dorsal fin
  • 2Canine teeth at the front of the upper jaw — unusual for its family
  • 3Bright yellow-orange interior of mouth when opened
  • 4Rounded tail (not deeply forked)
  • 5Two dorsal fins with a shallow notch between them

🍽️ Diet

Shrimp, mullet, pinfish, and other small fish and invertebrates

💡 Fun Facts About Spotted Seatrout

  • ★Spotted seatrout make a distinctive croaking sound, especially when removed from the water
  • ★They are the most popular recreational saltwater fish in Texas
  • ★Seagrass conservation is critical for spotted seatrout, as they depend on it for habitat and food
  • ★They are highly sensitive to freezing temperatures and cold kills are recorded in harsh winters
  • ★"Trout fishing" in Louisiana means spotted seatrout — a beloved regional tradition

🛡️ Conservation Status

Least Concern — managed through size and bag limits

🔗 Related Species

Red Drum (Redfish)Summer FlounderCommon Snook

Identify Spotted Seatrout Instantly with AI

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Learn more:

How to Identify Fish: A Beginner's GuideMost Common Freshwater Fish in North America← Back to All Fish Species