The Speckled Trout is one of the prized game fish all over the state of Florida. This toothy predator can grow up to “gator trout” status, well over 20 inches. The winter months bring some of the best speckled trout fishing in the Indian and Banana River Lagoons.

Quick Tips for Battling a Speckled Trout

When hooking a trout, it is common for them to come immediately to the surface shaking their heads often resulting in “the one that got away.” If you are lucky enough to still have a fish on the other line, expect the trout to make unpredictable runs from left to right, and if large enough, make sure your drag is set. Be careful to keep them away from the docks where they can run you across a barnacle covered pylon; then, it’s not only a lost fish but a lost lure or hook.

Choosing a Bait

The best baits to use this time of year are live shrimp or live finger mullet. Using a big cork with a #20 fluorocarbon leader will keep the live baits off the bottom and the fluorocarbon will be nearly invisible. Stay away from swivels and sinkers if possible when fishing on the flats. This unnecessary tackle will only slow the friskiness of your bait and can often be seen by the keen eye of a trout, turning them away. The rule is that “less is more” when considering tackle.

If you find these fish in deeper water more than 5 feet, consider taking the cork off and mashing a quarter ounce split shot above the leader to help get the bait down in the strike zone. Make sure your drag is set loose enough where they can take it on if the fish has any size. Try to only use 2/0 circle hooks to avoid the fish swallowing it, and guaranteeing corner mouth hook up. This is the best place to hook this paper mouthed fighter. Remember, with a circle hook there is no need to set the hook, and if you do so it will often rip right out only causing you to lose sleep.

Finding & Fishing these Speckled Treasures

Typically, speckled trout that are running in schools are all about the same size give or take 2 to 3 inches. If you find yourself in a school of smaller trout below the legal size I will typically move to find something that can hit the dinner table.

If you are looking for a good time, then stay right where you are. The schools will move, and drifting with them is a great strategy. Sometimes you can figure out the direction they are moving and this can be like fishing out of a barrel. Try a double rigged minnow crappie rig, and don’t be surprised when you start dragging in two at a time.

Larger trout will run in schools as well – and this is as good as it gets. However, typically big trout will lay motionless on the flats when the water is cool and ambush bait that comes by their way. Looking for schools of mullet around docks and anywhere along the flats at night can put you on these speckled trophies. Stay on the move and try to slowly cover a lot of water so you can increase the exposure of your live bait.

Artificial Bait Suggestions

If you are not a live bait fisherman and like to use artificial, I would recommend a soft plastic jig that is white, yellow, green or gold and a quarter ounce red, white or yellow jig head. Above the jig head about 3 feet, try attaching a popping cork. Make long casts and pop it a couple of times – pause for a second – and then repeat. If you catch a trout, stay in that area and only move when the fun stops. There are many lures that will work, and the rule of thumb is to imitate the bait the target fish you are going after is feeding on.