One of the premier inshore fish species on the Alabama Gulf Coast is the speckled (or spotted) trout.
Trout prefer water temperatures from the low 60s to the low 80s and will hang out on the flats in fairly shallow water. When the weather gets hot, the trout will be in shallow water during low-light conditions at dawn and dusk and move to deeper waters during the heat of the day.
Unlike redfish, speckled trout don’t tolerate low salinity, so look for clear-water areas that are plenty salty. Because saltwater is heavier than freshwater, the trout may head to deeper water during periods with significant rain.
If we have periods of drought, the trout will follow the bait into the bayous, creeks and headwaters of the rivers.
As water temperatures decline during fall, fish move into deeper bays, which means anglers will have to shift tactics. Trout will often hang out in areas with flats near deeper channels, where they can retreat after a cold front.
As with any inshore fish species, when the weather is cold in late fall and winter, you have to slow your bait presentation. The fish don’t move as fast or feed as often, which means that patience pays.
When you get a few speckled trout in the box, head for the cleaning table and prepare for a fish fry. Trout dusted with blackening seasoning and sautéed is delicious, but you just can’t beat fresh trout rolled in fish fry mix and dropped in 350-degree oil until golden brown.