Speckled Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus )

Speckled Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus )

Also Known as … Speckled Trout, Spotted Trout, Speck

Description …

The speckled trout is a grayish silver color with a blueish iridescent tint.  This fades to silver on the side with a white belly.  Their back and sides are covered with distinct blackdots that extend to the caudal fin (tail) and partially the second dorsal fin.  They have along slender body like a typical trout.  The upper jaw has 2 large canine teeth like weakfish.
It is not a true trout but a member of the drum family, however lacks the chin barbels that family is known for.  

It has an elongated, soft dorsal fin with no scales which is separated from the spinous dorsal fin by a deep notch. It usually has two anal spines and the lateral line extends to the tip of the caudal fin (tail).
speckled trout, speck, speckles, spec, truite gris (Louisiana French), trucha de mar (Mexican Spanish), spotted weakfish, spotted seateague, southern seateague, salmon, salmon trout, simon trout, winter trout, seatrout, Nosferatu fish, and black trout. Particularly large ones are nicknamed gator trout

These are typically caught with jig heads and soft plastics, also from fly fishing.  Many times they will show up in cast nets when catching baitfish.  They are uncommonly seen north of Delaware Bay and along the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Season and creel limit in Delaware 2015