How to catch spotted seatrout in Florida

Techniques

Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish or pigfish (grunts) near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds as you search for trout. Casting with soft-bodied jigs, top-water poppers and spoons can be effective. 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.

Preferred bait

Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish or pigfish (grunts) near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds as you search for trout.

Preferred lures

Casting with soft-bodied jigs & top-water poppers and spoons can be effective.

Time of day

Night dock lights; dawn/dusk; anytime on a moving tide

Tide effect

Moving tide preferred; flood near cover, falling toward deeper water

Videos

Sources

Fish guide

Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.