Sand SeatroutorSpotted Seatrout
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Sand Seatrout
Pale sandy seatrout with NO spots, two canine fangs up front, and yellow inside the mouth.
Spotted Seatrout
Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth.
Spotted seatrout, next to sand seatrout: black spots over back and tail.
Side by side
| Sand Seatrout | Spotted Seatrout | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cynoscion arenarius | Cynoscion nebulosus |
| Also called | White trout, Sand trout | Speck, Spotted seatrout |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | 11 lb · Louisiana (1973) | 17.44 lb · Florida (1995) |
| On the table | Mild and soft — ice it hard, eat it fresh. | Excellent and delicate — ice it well and eat it fresh. |
| Rules of its own in | 3 states | 12 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 12 of 12 states with a rule for either. In Florida (Atlantic), sand seatrout is No size limit (12 in TL min in NE FL weakfish zone), 100 lb per person; 1 per person in NE FL weakfish zone and spotted seatrout is 15-19 in TL slot, 3 per person (Indian River Lagoon region: 2). Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Sand Seatrout: size · bag · season | Spotted Seatrout: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 15-22 in total length slot6 per person; 1 over 22 in allowedOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked |
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in minNo daily limitOpen year-roundOpenDE DNREC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit (12 in TL min in NE FL weakfish zone)100 lb per person; 1 per person in NE FL weakfish zoneOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 15-19 in TL slot3 per person (Indian River Lagoon region: 2)Open year-round (IRL region closed Nov 1 - Dec 31)OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per dayOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 15-19 in TL slot3 per person (Big Bend region: 5)Open year-round (Panhandle region closed February)OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in total length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Louisiana | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | slot 13–20 in total length15 per person; no more than 2 over 20 inOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in min4Open year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · checked |
| Mississippi | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked | 15 in total length minimum15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14-20 in TL slot3/dayOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in total length10/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | slot 15–20 in total length3Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in min5/person (only 1 over 24 in)2026: closed Apr 1 - Jun 30, otherwise openOpenVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, sand seatrout or spotted seatrout, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
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: Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth. Spotted seatrout, next to sand seatrout: black spots over back and tail.
Which gets bigger, sand seatrout or spotted seatrout?
Spotted Seatrout. The heaviest state record we hold is 17.44 lb in Florida; the heaviest sand seatrout record is 11 lb in Louisiana.
Which is better to eat, sand seatrout or spotted seatrout?
Sand Seatrout: Mild and soft — ice it hard, eat it fresh. Spotted Seatrout: Excellent and delicate — ice it well and eat it fresh.
Do sand seatrout and spotted seatrout have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 12 state rulebooks. Florida (Atlantic): sand seatrout No size limit (12 in TL min in NE FL weakfish zone), 100 lb per person; 1 per person in NE FL weakfish zone, spotted seatrout 15-19 in TL slot, 3 per person (Indian River Lagoon region: 2); Florida (Gulf): sand seatrout No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day, spotted seatrout 15-19 in TL slot, 3 per person (Big Bend region: 5); Mississippi: sand seatrout No size limit, No bag limit, spotted seatrout 15 in total length minimum, 15 per person per day; Alabama: sand seatrout no rule of its own, spotted seatrout 15-22 in total length slot, 6 per person; 1 over 22 in allowed; Delaware: sand seatrout no rule of its own, spotted seatrout 12 in min, No daily limit; and more in the table on this page.