February 4, 2020 | 4 min read
Speckled Trout Fishing in Galveston Bay
Speckled trout, also known as spotted sea trout or simply Speck is one of the most sought-after fish species in Galveston Bay. They’re found along the Gulf Coast, as well as on the Atlantic coast, all the way up to Maryland. Southern anglers may be surprised to know that the Maryland state record speckled trout is 13 pounds! While they grow bigger closer to the equator, a speck of that size is impressive anywhere specks are found.
Contrary to their name, the Spotted sea trout isn’t a member of the Salmonidae trout family but rather they belong to the Sciaenidae drum family. They’re a saltwater estuarine fish species that are easy to identify owing to their two sharp upper front teeth and elongated bodies that are riddled with spots. They’re silver in color and have hints of olive green and numerous black dots that extend over their dorsal fin, all the way to their tail.
Averaging about two pounds, fresh speckled trout can make up for an excellent afternoon meal once fried or broiled. Are you salivating yet? Take a look at some of these tips and tricks to help you fish for Specks at Galveston Bay.
Tackling the speckled trout
Speckled trout have a couple of sharp teeth, but they are used for grabbing, not cutting, so you don’t need a heavy leader to fish for specks. Averaging two pounds with the chance to catch a trophy in the 10-pound range, you won’t need a very heavy tackle. As such, light to medium action spinning or bait-casting gear will do the trick.
Techniques you can use to find speckled trout
Since speckled trout are sensitive to water clarity, one of the best ways to locate them is to find clean water that has a slightly green tint to it. Some fishermen refer to it as trout green.
In addition to that, you can look for signs of activity on the surface because speckled trout often chase baitfish to the surface when they’re in pursuit of their prey.
Another way to determine the presence of speckled trout in the area is to look for slicks on the surface. Slicks are created by the oils that come out of the bait that float to the surface as well as oils released when trout are digesting their meal. If the water is calm, slicks are easier to identify.
Flounder are found near the western Atlantic and the Gulf coast. Their features include prominent eyes—both on the same side of the head—and sharp, pointed teeth in a strong rigid mouth. They’re found throughout Galveston’s open bay and marsh areas. Many flounder migrate to the Gulf of Mexico as winter sets in making for an eventful fishing trip late October through December. They also make a migratory push back into the bay in spring as the water warms back up.
Tricking the speckled trout
Berkley Gulp, Mirrolures, Corkies, and saltwater assassins are some of the best lures for speckled trout as they imitate common prey species such as mullet and shrimp.
In addition to that, live shrimp and croaker are extremely effective live baits for catching a speck. There are times when live bait works well and other times when artificial lures are producing fish, so the key is to experiment with different choices until you find what is working best.
Presenting your bait of choice is also a key ingredient for catching specks. The length of your cast can be critical as well as the speed at which you work or retrieve your live or artificial bait. One of the simplest yet most effective techniques to master is using live shrimp under a popping cork. Free-lining or the use of a Carolina rig also works very well.
Does this sound complicated? Don’t worry because we’ve got your back!
If you want to catch speckled trout in the best places, get in touch with a premier fishing charter on Galveston Bay, Texas. Frenzy Guide Service offers saltwater fishing guide services Galveston Bay to make your fishing trip an absolute success!
Frenzy Guide Service is a bay fishing charter that offers expert fishing guide services Galveston Bay. Take a look at our fishing calendar and get in touch with us today at (832) 205-1357 to book your trip!