Dr. Geoffrey Smith
NWFSC Biology Instructor
This month, I’ll be highlighting one of the most recreationally targeted inshore sportfish species, the Spotted Seatrout. This species is found in the Atlantic from New York southward throughout the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1). Overall, the Spotted Seatrout is a silvery-gray color with black spots on the sides, dorsal fins, and caudal fin (Figure 2). They also have a bright yellow pigmentation inside of their mouth (Figure 3). The dark spots allow them to blend in with seagrasses, marsh grasses, oysters, and other structures where they often reside to ambush prey. They are typically found in inshore bays, rivers, and creeks but can also be found near coastal inlets and along beaches. Juveniles are more restricted in their habitat use and are typically found in shallow seagrass beds and small tidal tributaries (creeks, tidal ponds, lagoons, etc.). This species is a member of the Sciaenidae or Drum family, whose members are often characterized by an audible drumming sound produced by a set of sonic muscles that are attached to the swim bladder. The rapid contraction of these muscles causes the modified swim bladder to vibrate creating a drumming or croaking sound. This is most commonly a characteristic displayed by males during the spawning season, which in Florida, typically extends from March through September for this species. The majority of drums are more adapted to feeding on or near the bottom with their mouth oriented towards the sea floor (sub-terminal or inferior) to consume bottom-dwelling fish, shrimp, crabs, bivalves, etc. However, the seatrout and weakfish have a mouth that points forward (terminal) where they predominately feed on fish and crustaceans throughout the water column. The genus name Cynoscion comes from the Greek kyon meaning dog and the Greek skiaina referring to a related fish species. The dog portion is in reference to the large canine teeth that members of this genus possess (Figure 3). The species name nebulosus meaning cloudy or foggy, refers to the many spots on the sides of this species. As mentioned previously, this species is highly targeted by recreational anglers. In Florida, recreational harvest of this species is currently managed based on 5 different zones. In our zone, the Western Panhandle, regulations include a personal bag limit of 3 with a minimum size of 15 inches. There is also a maximum size limit of 19 inches, with one fish over this limit being allowed per vessel (or per person if fishing from shore). This is in an attempt to protect the largest females in the spawning stock. There is also a closed season in February aimed at reducing harvest for part of the winter. During the winter, this species often gathers in very large numbers in deep residential canals, deep holes within creeks and rivers, as well as several other deeper, warmer water refuges making them very easy to target. To keep track of potential changes to regulations of this species and view the regulations in other regions please visit: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/.
Figure 1: Distribution of Spotted Seatrout in the southern portion of its range (https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/caribbean/en/pages).
Figure 2: Typical Spotted Seatrout coloration is silver-gray with black spots on the sides, dorsal fins, and caudal fin. Two juvenile Spotted Seatrout captured during a fish sampling of a tidal creek in Santa Rosa Sound (left) and an adult captured by a local angler (right). Photo credit: Geoffrey Smith.
Figure 3: The inside of a Spotted Seatrout mouth showing its characteristic yellow pigmentation and large canine teeth that are common to this species and many of its close relatives. Photo credit: https://www.anglersjournal.com/saltwater/catching-seatrout.
