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Clock Ticks Down On Spotted Sea Trout

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Ray Markham.

With only two weeks remaining in the open season for spotted sea trout in the south region, (south of Fred Howard Park at the Pinellas/Pasco County line), anglers are zeroing in on these speckled sportfish. Trout are prolific spawners and fast growers, but are very fragile, and those released should be done so without touching the fish if possible.

Trout provide great sport on light tackle testing 6 pounds or less, and readily take a variety of lures and live bait. Sometimes considered to be an easy fish for the novice to catch, these schooling fish can sometimes be more difficult to land than even the most revered inshore species, the snook.

True 'gator trout,' the really fat ones, 7 pounds and larger, are a breed that most resemble a snook in the way they jump, run, and fight, with one exception; that connection between the hook and the fish's mouth is tissue paper thin, sometimes making it nearly impossible to stay hooked up, especially when you get the fish close to the boat.

Gator trout have become hard to come by since the red tide two years ago, but a few were caught here this year. Right now, the bulk of the trout are ranging from 14 to 18 inches. One fish may be kept over 20 inches, but I prefer to release those larger females to breed again.

We've been finding our trout on the edges of shoals off Emerson Point in grass 5 or 6 feet deep, and in potholes in Joe Bay, just north of the Skyway. The largest are hitting topwaters like the MirrOmullet and CAL Shad tail with a Chug Head.

Ray Markham co-hosts 'Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live,' Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on WWBA, 1040 AM, and may be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.

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