Fishing Lingo for Spotted Seatrout Angling by Gary Anderson

Ploop: The sound a feeding surface trout makes when breaking the water; much like the same sound bass to tarpon make when on a bite.

Sinkers: Lead weights used to keep live bait near the bottom or to add weight to a plastic lure to improve casting distance and action. D.O.A. C.A.L. pinch on weights work best in adding distance to offset hooks; a pinch on the shaft weight.

Setting the hook: Pulling on the rod (once the fish bites the bait) so the hook will embed slowly in the fish’s mouth. If a circle hook is used, letting the fish move pulling out line freely as you slowly retrieve back against the force of fish pull causing the hook to turn a circle and engage itself usually in the jaw.

Jigging: Bouncing a jig, round-headed weighted hook in assorted colors and either feathers, quill or a plastic tail attached to the hook end (rigged with baits or not) on or close to the bottom.

The Bite: When fish are actively feeding.

A Rig: A combination of various tackle, as well, a rod-and-reel combo is sometimes called a rig, as are combinations of lines, hooks, weights and leaders.

Slowing-baiting: Fishing a lure or live bait very slowly, barely reeling.

Slot: The prescribed or legal length at which a fish is allowed to become part of your bag limit.

Bag Limit: How many fish you are allowed to take home on that particular outing.

Gary Anderson’s personal Spotted Seatrout or Weakfish set-up:

-- 6-and-a-half or 7-foot rod with medium action and a fast action tip will have enough force to set the hook on a slow bite and enough backbone to keep your fish out of the weeds (mangos, oysters or other snags).

-- 12-pound test, monofilament line with a 50-pound mono saltwater leader rigged with a small hook (1/0) and quarter-ounce sinkers rigged about 18 inches from the hook or free-shrimped with no weight or under a popping cork, depending on weather conditions and area fishing.

-- A small reel, like a Pfluger.

-- If angling with a float use a 3-inch popping cork (use-weighted corks if you are not using sinkers).

-- While using live shrimp, pinching the tail slightly off before running the hook under the shrimp’s horn increases scent distribution and makes bait flop wildly.

The Quarry: the Spotted Seatrout

-- Spotted Seatrout are dark gray or green above midline, with sky blue and silver shading, white below, and numerous black spots on back with one or two canine teeth at the tip of upper jaw.

-- They are found in our inshore Florida waters over grass flats, sandy and shell bottoms. They move into deeper, slow moving current areas during cold weather, like that to the ICW, potholes, stream mouths and canals behind many a home in Florida.

-- Florida state record is 15 pounds, 6 ounces.

-- Feed mainly on shrimp, sand fleas, small crabs and small fish.

-- Spotted Seatrout can be taken on live baits as well, jigs, top-water lures, cranks, spoons and most freshwater bass baits.

-- Prefers water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees

-- Longevity is eight to 10 years.

Regulations

Anglers need a fishing license ($17.50 for Florida residents) if angling from a boat or are not a resident of the state. Licenses can be purchased at places like Wal-Mart or local bait and tackle stores. The daily limit for our area here in SW Florida waters is four trout per angler between 15 and 20 inches in length. One of the four trout may be longer than 20 inches. If catching Weakfish (the other trout) limit is still four daily bag but slot is 12 inches for keepers.

Spotted Seatrout Season is Closed November and December.

For All Your Rules & Regulations from your Florida FWC

“FISH ON!”