Species / Speckled Trout / Florida
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Speckled Trout Fishing in Florida
Spotted seatrout live on grass flats and in bays along the Gulf and South Atlantic. Specks feed on shrimp and baitfish and bite well under a popping cork.
Best Months: Mar to May, Oct to Dec
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Speckled Trout
5 picks for October.
Clouser Minnow #1/0-8
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Big trout at dawn.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic
Shop This LurePopping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader
LureRig
Shop This LureLive Shrimp 2 to 4 in
BaitLive Bait
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Rod & Reel
Speckled Trout Setup
Speckled Trout
Fly 9 ft 7 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 15 lb leader, Clousers and shrimp flies.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Florida
Where to Catch Speckled Trout
Saltwater & Coast · Florida
Biscayne Bay
Flats and mangrove shorelines from Miami to Key Biscayne. Bonefish, permit, and juvenile tarpon.
Bonefish · Tarpon · Spotted Seatrout
Saltwater & Coast · Florida
Destin Passes
East Pass, between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf. Redfish, seatrout, and sheepshead.
Redfish · Speckled Trout · Sheepshead
Saltwater & Coast · Florida
Mosquito Lagoon
A shallow, clear lagoon famous for sight-fishing to tailing and schooling redfish.
Redfish · Speckled Trout
Saltwater & Coast · Florida
Pensacola Bay
A Panhandle bay system with bull redfish runs, speckled trout, and fall flounder.
Redfish · Speckled Trout · Flounder
Saltwater & Coast · Florida
Tampa Bay
The biggest bay system in the state. Speckled trout, redfish, and jack crevalle.
Speckled Trout · Redfish · Jack Crevalle
Florida
Shops to Stock Up
Recommended
Gear for Speckled Trout
Fly Lines
RIO Redfish Fly Line
A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod
An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceReels
Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.
Check PriceRods
Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod
A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon
Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.
Check PriceTopwater
Heddon Zara Spook
The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.
Check PriceFloats & Rigs
Cajun Thunder Popping Cork
The clacking cork that calls trout and reds to shrimp or a soft plastic.
Check PriceSoft Plastics
Berkley Gulp! Shrimp
Scented shrimp that out-fish plain plastics on a jighead or under a cork.
Check PriceSoft Plastics
Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ
A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.
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