Speckled trout are a unique and popular fish among inshore anglers, and in the overall scheme of fishing, they may be the most “normal” of the coastal species. Many anglers new to saltwater fishing describe the fish as a cross between a crappie and a largemouth bass, tending to school tightly when feeding and inhabiting the middle to upper end of the water column most of the time. They are skilled ambush feeders who rely on sight to locate prey.
Unlike flounder, which tend to vacate creeks and head to the open ocean when water temperatures drop, trout will remain in the creeks and may seek deeper areas to overwinter. This is often to the species’ detriment when unseasonable cold weather rapidly drops surface temperatures and results in cold-stun fish kills.
Generally speaking, spring specks will move to shallow water early and late in the day. As sight-feeders, trout shy away from bright light during mid-day but will roam the shallows in low- light conditions. Topwater and shallow-running crankbaits are good lure choices.
Grass points, oyster bars and man-made cover frequently attracts trout from 4 to 6 feet deep. Many anglers choose to suspend live or artificial baits under a cork to hold them at or just above the structure to keep them hanging up, especially in the current.
In the early spring or during frequent cold fronts, cold weather will move speckled trout back to the depths. For inshore anglers, this means water in the 8- to 12-, even 15-foot depths. Targeting dormant speckled trout at these depths require finesse tactics with artificial baits such as grubs, shrimp or other soft plastics. Current will play a role in getting your lures to those depths.
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