Oceans & Range: Western Atlantic Ocean — from New York south through Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to Northern Mexico. The most popular inshore sport fish on the Gulf Coast. Found in bays, grass flats, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters. Rarely found far offshore — a true inshore species.
Preferred Water Temperature: 58°F–82°F. Most active at 65°F–75°F. Moves to deep bay channels and passes in winter; roams shallow grass flats in spring, summer, and fall. Highly cold-sensitive — major kills occur when bay water drops below 40°F.
Size & Weight: Typical catches run 1–3 lbs and 14–20 inches. Trophy "gator trout" exceed 7–10 lbs. World record: 17 lbs 7 oz from Fort Pierce Inlet, Florida. Identified by distinctive round black spots on the back and upper sides. One of the finest-eating inshore fish — sweet, delicate white meat.
Best Lures: Soft plastic jig under a popping cork is the Gulf Coast standard — the popping sound attracts fish. Walk-the-dog topwater lures at dawn produce explosive surface strikes. Suspending hard baits like the MirrOlure produce trophy fish in cold conditions. Soft plastic swimbaits on a jig head work in deeper water.
Best Baits: Live shrimp are the number one natural bait. Live finger mullet are excellent for large fish. Live pigfish and pinfish produce trophy Seatrout. Fresh dead shrimp under a float works when live bait is unavailable.
Western Atlantic Ocean — primarily an inshore species of the Gulf of Mexico and US East Coast. Ranges from New York south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico to Texas, and south to Mexico's Gulf coast. The most popular inshore sport fish on the Gulf Coast, particularly from Louisiana to Texas.
Water Conditions
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58°F–82°F. A warm-water species that moves to deeper bay channels and nearshore Gulf waters in winter. Most active and in shallower water from April through November. Highly cold-sensitive — major kills occur when bay water temperatures drop below 40°F.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
The 1/4 oz jig head with a soft plastic paddle tail (Bass Assassin, Gulp Shrimp) under a popping cork is the most popular and effective technique on the Gulf Coast — the popping cork creates noise and splash that attracts fish. Walk-the-dog topwater lures (MirrOlure She Dog, Heddon Spook Jr.) produce explosive surface strikes at dawn. Hard suspending lures like the MirrOlure 52M and Paul Brown Corky produce large fish in cold winter conditions. Large DOA shrimp under a float catch fish in gin-clear Florida flats water. Swimming mullet imitations work in grassflats.
Best Baits:
Live shrimp are the number one natural bait — under a popping cork or free-lined on the bottom. Live finger mullet are an excellent bait for large fish. Live pigfish and pinfish produce trophy Seatrout. Fresh dead shrimp work when live shrimp aren't available. Cut mullet produces fish in darker conditions.
Size & Sport
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Typical catch 1–3 lbs and 14–20 inches. Trophy "gator trout" exceed 7–10 lbs. World record: 17 lbs 7 oz from Fort Pierce Inlet, Florida. Louisiana state record exceeds 12 lbs.
