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Occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean from New York to the Gulf of Mexico, from Virginia southward, particularly off the coasts of North Carolina and Texas. An inshore, schooling species, it usually inhabits the shallow areas of bays and estuaries. They range as far north as Long Island in late spring. Two large, recurvate canine teeth in the front of the upper jaw stand out noticeably. There are round black spots on the back and upper flanks and on the tail and second dorsal fin. This bottom dwelling, predatory fish feeds at any level. It may be taken by chumming from a drifting or anchored boat, by trolling, jigging, surfcasting or fly-fishing. Shrimp is the most popular and effective bait. Whenever shrimp are abundant, spotted seatrout feed on them almost exclusively. It may be caught in salt or brackish water and shows preference for shallow waters of estuaries. They rate highly as a food fish, but tend to spoil rapidly so should be eaten soon after capture.
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Scientific Name:
Cynoscion nebulosus
Family Name:
Sciaenidae Family
Also Known As:
spotted weakfish, spotted squeteague, speckled trout, gator trout, winter trout, salmon trout, black trout
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