Speckled trout despite the name and all the spots are not trout at all. In fact speckled trout are more closely related to croakers and drum than trout.
Speckled trout are strictly a saltwater or brackish water fish. They range from as far north as New York, south along the coast into and including all of the Gulf of Mexico.
Speckled trout can easily be identified by the spots all on the sides and fins of the fish, a yellow mouth, usually with two large canine teeth on the top jaw.
Speckled trout aslo known as speckled seatrout or simply specks, are a highly prized gamefish and food fish reaching weights of as much as 15 pounds although 4 pounds is a really nice catch and a 10 pounder would be worthy of a mount anywhere they occur.
Speckled trout are closely related to a few other trouts that inhabit the same water but none of its close relatives have numerous spots along each side. Very large specimens will have fewer spots than the younger specks.
Speckled trout mature when they reach approximately 13-15 inches in length and like largemouth bass the females are generally larger than same age males. Speckled trout feed on both smaller fish and shrimp. But as they get older they seem to develop a distinct preference for fish.