Spotted Seatrout
Cynoscion nebulosus
Also called Speck, Spotted seatrout.
How to tell it
Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called spotted seatrout, and what gives it away.
- Weakfish: Spots form diagonal rows, not scattered. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15-22 in total length slot | 6 per person; 1 over 22 in allowed | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 12 in min | No daily limit | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 15–19 in slot | 2–3 per person by zone | Depends on where · Indian River Lagoon: closed Nov 1–Dec 31FWC 2026 · checked | Check |
| Florida (Gulf) | 15-19 in TL slot | 3 per person (Big Bend region: 5) | Open year-round (Panhandle region closed February)FWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 14 in total length | 15 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | slot 13–20 in total length | 15 per person; no more than 2 over 20 in | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 14 in min | 4 | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 15 in total length minimum | 15 per person per day | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 14-20 in TL slot | 3/day | Open year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 14 in total length | 10/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | slot 15–20 in total length | 3 | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 14 in min | 5/person (only 1 over 24 in) | 2026: closed Apr 1 - Jun 30, otherwise openVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 12 lb 4 oz | 1980 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 17.44 lb | 1995 · Ft. Pierce | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 9 lb 7 oz | 1976 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 12.38 lb | 1950 · Lake Hermitage | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 16.4 lb | 1977 · Roaring Point | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 10 lb 10 oz | 2013 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 11 lb 2 oz | 1974 · Holgate Surf | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 12 lb 8 oz | 2022 · Neuse River | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 11 lb 13 oz | 1976 · Murrells Inlet | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 15.6 lb | 2002 · Lower Laguna Madre | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 16 lb | 1977 · Masons Beach | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
How anglers catch it
A live shrimp under a popping cork over grass, or soft plastics and topwater plugs at first light.
On the table
Excellent and delicate — ice it well and eat it fresh.
In the app
Point the camera at a spotted 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 spotted seatrout
What is the size limit for spotted seatrout?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 15-22 in total length slot; Delaware: 12 in min; Florida (Atlantic): 15–19 in slot; Florida (Gulf): 15-19 in TL slot; Georgia: 14 in total length; Louisiana: slot 13–20 in total length; Maryland: 14 in min; Mississippi: 15 in total length minimum; and more in the table above.
How many spotted seatrout can you keep?
Alabama: 6 per person; 1 over 22 in allowed; Delaware: No daily limit; Florida (Atlantic): 2–3 per person by zone; Florida (Gulf): 3 per person (Big Bend region: 5); Georgia: 15 per person per day; Louisiana: 15 per person; no more than 2 over 20 in; Maryland: 4; Mississippi: 15 per person per day; and more in the table above.
When is spotted seatrout season?
Virginia: 2026: closed Apr 1 - Jun 30, otherwise open.
How do you tell spotted seatrout from weakfish?
Spotted Seatrout: Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth. Weakfish: spots form diagonal rows, not scattered.
How do you catch spotted seatrout?
A live shrimp under a popping cork over grass, or soft plastics and topwater plugs at first light. Methods: casting, live bait, drifting. Baits: shrimp, pinfish, mullet, croaker. Lures: soft plastic, floating stickbait, twitch bait, spoon.
What is the record spotted seatrout?
17.44 lb in Florida (1995), Ft. Pierce. Other states’ records are in the table.