Captiva Fishing, SeaTrout!

SeaTrout, Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Thursday, March 8, 2018.
SeaTrout, Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Thursday, March 8, 2018.
SeaTrout, Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Thursday, March 8, 2018.

Sanibel Island Fishing & Captiva Island Fishing, March 8, 2018: SeaTrout!

Captiva Island Fishing Charters

CaptivaRentals.org: Avoid VRBO Fees. Rent Directly From Local Homeowners.Captiva Fishing Report,  Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Thursday, March 8: SeaTrout, Grass Beds, Catch & Release; water quality in relatively good shape; (Caloosahatchee:no/little freshwater runoff impact right now; Red Tide Report, there is some spotty red tide impact right now; more fishing reports from other areas and Captains below.

Two SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
Two SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

Online on-demand workshop available. Provide input on this fishery. Workshop information. Comment online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

Thursday, March 8, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Sanibel Island Fishing Charters: SeaTrout, Grass Flats & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release.  Please also visit the SanibelFort MyersFlorida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.  Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.

SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Saturday, February 24, 2018.
SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Saturday, February 24, 2018.

Please also visit the SanibelFort MyersFlorida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.  Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.

SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Sunday, February 11, 2018.
SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Sunday, February 11, 2018.

Cynoscion nebulosus, the spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout, is a common estuarine fish found in the southern United States along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and the coastal Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. These fish are also found in estuarine locations around Cape Breton Island of Nova Scotia, Canada.

SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Friday, February 16, 2018.
SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Friday, February 16, 2018.

While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of the drum family (Sciaenidae). It is popular for commercial and especially recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Adults reach 19-32 inches in length and 3-15 pounds in weight.

Big Sea Trout, Captiva Grass Flats, June 13, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.
Big Sea Trout, Captiva Grass Flats, June 13, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.

Spotted seatrout live in the top of the water column and are most numerous along the coasts of the southeastern states, such as Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. They are also common along the coasts of North and South Carolina and Virginia. Estuarine coasts are prime settlement areas. They are uncommonly seen north of Delaware Bay and along the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Big Sea Trout, Grass Flats, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing. File Photo: Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
Big Sea Trout, Grass Flats, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing. File Photo: Tuesday, May 16, 2017.

Spotted seatrout is the common name endorsed by the American Fisheries Society. However, this fish has many other common names, including 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.[1]

SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Sunday, February 18, 2018.
SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Sunday, February 18, 2018.

The spotted seatrout has prominent canine teeth. Like other fish of the family Sciaenidae, it has an elongated, soft dorsal fin with scales; it 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. The back has distinct spots scattered on it, including on the dorsal and caudal fins. Unlike some other members of the family Sciaenidae, the spotted seatrout does not have any chin barbels. In stained water, this fish’s background may take on a golden hue. Its shape and coloration is reminiscent of a brown trout. This fish is closely related to the weakfishCynoscion regalis.

SeaTrout Fishing, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, October 26, 2017, [File Photo - Wednesday, July 26, 2017].
SeaTrout Fishing, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, October 26, 2017, [File Photo –
Wednesday, July 26, 2017].
The average size of spotted seatrout is 0.5-1.0 kg (1-2 lb), but in most areas fish up to 2.5 kg (5 lb) are fairly common. Fish weighing 3.5-4.5 kg (8-10 lb) are rare. The world record is 7.9 kg (17 lb 7 oz).

SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

Small trout eat large amounts of shrimp and other crustaceans. As they grow larger, their diets shift toward fish, the larger, the better. Studies in Texas and Mississippi show that really big trout strongly prefer to feed on mullet; a large trout will find the largest mullet it can handle and try to swallow it. Often the mullet is half or two-thirds as large as the trout.[2]”  Please see more information here.

More SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Monday, February 26, 2018.
More SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Monday, February 26, 2018.

“Online on-demand workshop available. Provide input on this fishery. Workshop information. Comment online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

Spotted Seatrout

Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Spotted Seatrout: Cynoscion nebulosus

Florida Regulations:

Regulations Northeast zone Northwest zone Southeast and Southwest zones
Minimum Size Limit More than 15 inches and less than 20 inches total length (may possess one over 20 inches included in bag limit)
Daily Bag Limit 6 per harvester per day 5 per harvester per day 4 per harvester per day
Season Open year-round

 

Gear Requirements: Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Spotted Seatrout Management Zones:

 SpottedSeatroutZoneMap.jpg

  • Northwest: Escambia County through Fred Howard Park Causeway near Pasco County.
  • Southwest: Fred Howard Park Causeway through Monroe County line at Card Sound.
  • Southeast: Miami-Dade County at Card South through Volusia County.
  • Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties.

State Waters Harvest Seasons

SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Sunday, February 25, 2018.
SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, Sunday, February 25, 2018.

Habitat and Fishing Tips:

Seatrout found inshore and nearshore in and around seagrass meadows, mangrove-fringed shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars. Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish or pigfish (grunts) near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds as you search for trout. Casting with soft-bodied jigs, top-water poppers and spoons can be effective. Trout are very delicate, so returning unwanted or illegal fish promptly to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Spotted seatrout are a good eating fish.

Charlie, Big Sea Trout, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service, Monday, February 5, 2018, [File Photo: 3-3-14].
Charlie, Big Sea Trout, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service, Monday, February 5, 2018, [File Photo: 3-3-14].

State Record: 17 lb 7 oz, caught near Ft. Pierce

Florida Rule

Spotted Seatrout Management in Florida

Spotted seatrout is managed for both commercial and recreational fishing in Florida.  Management in Florida began for spotted seatrout in the late 1980s when the fishery was declining. At the Nov. 2011 Commission meeting, the FWC made several changes to how spotted seatrout are managed, including splitting the South management zones in two and going from a total of three management zones (Northeast, Northwest and South) to four management zones (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest.)

Big SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, February 9, 2018.
Big SeaTrout, Grass Beds & Oyster Bars, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, February 9, 2018.

The management goal for spotted seatrout in Florida is a 35% spawning potential ratio (SPR). Stock assessments were conducted in 2003 and 2006 that showed the spotted seatrout population as relatively stable. The 2010 stock assessment includes data through 2009 and it showed that the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest zones are exceeding the 35% SPR management goal. The Northwest area is hovering right at 35%.

Sea Trout, Grass Beds, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Friday, July 2, 2016.
Sea Trout, Grass Beds, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Friday, July 2, 2016.

At the Nov. 2011 Commission meeting, the following rules were approved, becoming effective February 1, 2012:

Recreational

  • Removal of season closures
  • Northeast bag limit increased to 6 fish

Commercial

  • Southeast and Southwest region defined
  • Increase in seasons
    • Southeast: May 1- Sept 30
    • Northeast: June 1- November 30
    • Southwest and Northwest: June 1- October 31
  • A commercial vessel limit of 150 with two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
  • Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes”

Source & more information @ FWC.

Sea Trout & Jack Crevalle, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Friday, June 17, 2016.
Sea Trout & Jack Crevalle, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Friday, June 17, 2016.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.  Thursday, March 8, Captiva Island Fishing Charters, SeaTrout, Grass Flats & Oyster Bars, click here for College Of Fishing Hats & Apparel.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Tuesday, 6-30-15, Sea Trout 2, Grass Flats ~ #Sanibel #Captiva
Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Tuesday, 6-30-15, Sea Trout 2, Grass Flats ~ #Sanibel #Captiva

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned with sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.

Sea Trout, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Saturday, April 2, 2016 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.
Sea Trout, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Saturday, April 2, 2016 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.

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Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar at the upper right or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.

Sea Trout, Grass Beds, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Wednesday, March 9, 2016 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.
Sea Trout, Grass Beds, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Wednesday, March 9, 2016, ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.