Sand Seatrout
Cynoscion arenarius
Also called White trout, Sand trout.
How to tell it
Pale sandy seatrout with NO spots, two canine fangs up front, and yellow inside the mouth.
Often mistaken for
Three fish that get called sand seatrout, and what gives each one away.
- Spotted seatrout: Black spots over back and tail. Tell them apart
- Weakfish: Faint slanted rows of spots, northern. Tell them apart
- Silver perch: No canines at all. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | 100 lb per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | 100 lb per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 6 lb 10.56 oz | 1997 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 11 lb | 1973 | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 6 lb 9.6 oz | 2009 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 6.25 lb | 1972 · Galveston Bay | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Mild and soft — ice it hard, eat it fresh.
In the app
Point the camera at a sand seatrout and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about sand seatrout
How many sand seatrout can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 100 lb per person; Florida (Gulf): 100 lb per person.
How do you tell sand seatrout from spotted seatrout?
Sand Seatrout: Pale sandy seatrout with NO spots, two canine fangs up front, and yellow inside the mouth. Spotted seatrout: black spots over back and tail.
What is the record sand seatrout?
11 lb in Louisiana (1973). Other states’ records are in the table.