Spotted sea trout, Cynoscion nebulosus, are primarily called speckled trout or specks. They are a favorite of inshore and surf fishermen and can usually be caught along the North Carolina coastline all year — except during the coldest winters.
The past two winters have been mild, and the numbers of specks increased noticeably. Without a severe freeze, this trend should continue.
Many North Carolina fishermen believe live shrimp is the best bait available for trout, but as the season and forage supply shifts, specks also feed on crabs and a variety of smaller fish. Mullet minnows, mud minnows, silverside minnows, spots, croakers, menhaden, squid, sandfiddlers, mole crabs and small blue crabs are all found in the stomachs of speckled trout. Mud minnows are the primary forage fish during the winter.
Speckled trout also respond to a variety of lures. Soft-plastic grubs and imitation shrimp probably account for the highest percentage of specks caught on artificials. However, many anglers feel that hard-plastic baits that dive or suspend, including MirrOlures, Rapalas and Bombers, tend to catch larger fish.
The state-record speckled trout is a huge 12-pound, 4-ounce gator that was caught by John R. Kenyon, Jr., at Wrightsville Beach in 1961. While several trout have threatened this 52-year-old record, none have dethroned it.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries offers a citation for all speckled trout heavier than five pounds if weighed and registered at an official weigh stations. There is also a speckled trout tagging program that offers rewards up to $100 for the return of trout tags. Visit www.ncdmf.net for more details.
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