Behold the rare NON-speckled Trout

[Steve Stinson]

Well, once the Thanksgiving festivities wound down Saturday morning, it was time for some relaxation so my buddy Steve and I headed down to the coast. The tide was very low about 10:00 am, but we managed to launch my boat and run down the shoreline, into a creek. We spent a few hours there, up next to the upwind bank fishing a hole and did well. Several small trout, five good sized ones, one good red, and a flounder that managed to escape as we tried to get him into the net.

Steve caught a trout that didn't have any spots on it at all. I am pretty sure it was not a silver (sand) trout, as they are normally thinner and smaller. This one was about 18 1/2". It is the top one in this picture. The tape measure is pulled out to about 2 feet.





Anybody every caught one before??

Good Fishin' - Steve Stinson

[DixieReb]

that's a nice day's work, Steve. No, I've never caught or seen a trout like that one. He should eat just like the others, but it is strange. Some reds have no spots and some are spotted all over, so now we know speckled trout can be spotless.

[What a mess]

The east coast and others call em weakfish could be a sand trout no sugar trout just to big.

[Talltails]

Looks like a weakfish to me.

[WaltDawg]

I've heard folks catch them at Econfina every now and then.

[striperguy17]

definitely looks like an east coast weakfish. used to catch them up in the long island sound during the summer but there numbers have been thinner as of late. although never really heard of them in florida or in the gulf for that matter.

[whitebc]

looks like a plate full of fish to me, never been much of a spot eater myself
Nice trip though

[RHTFISH]

I've been told before that's the difference between weakfish and spotted weakfish (our speckled trout)....neat anyhow!

[Reel Cowboy]

Weakfish have spots as well, however they're not as "patterned" as a trout. Either way, he'll fry up just the same.
Nice mess o' fish.

[silverking]

Steve,
According to the Peterson Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes, weakfish are dark olive to bluish above with many small dark spots (their emphasis) and range along the Atlantic coast to north Florida. Silvers have 8-10 soft rays in the anal fin and 27-29 soft rays in the dorsal. They range throughout the GOM and get up to 12 inches. Sandies are similar with usually 11 anal and 26 dorsal rays. They get up to 15 inches, range throughout the Gulf and are identified by pale appearance without any marks, yellowish brown above and silvery below.

I think you caught a nice sandie. Sounded like a good day, regardless, and like others pointed out, it'll eat well.

[Jumptrout51]

Looks like a "white trout" to me.
They are abundant from Panacea to Apalachicola. They also grow to 4-5 pound range although not too often.
There is a no-limit status on the "white trout". No size, No quantity. Keep all you want.

[noleflyfisher]

Looks like a "white trout" to me.

Me too. At least that's what I've always known them as.

[ladyinreds]

Yes, I'd say that was a sand sea trout or what they call further west in the Gulf, a white trout. I used to catch them in AL, MS, and TX with my daddy. The world record is like 6 lbs. So you caught a big one. And they are usually in deeper water. They are good to eat, but maybe a little softer filet than specks as I remember. I haven't fished in ages.

[Jumptrout51]

Lady In Reds...come to the North Florida Gulf Fishing Club Christmas and Awards Banquet Sunday at 4 p.m. at Shuckers at Lake Jackson. Bring a friend.
Have fun...then decide if you would like to join NFGFC. We are always looking for beginner and accomplished Lady Anglers to participate in our clubs activities. ie: FISHING and winning PRIZES and meeting new anglers.

[Ron Wilson]

Nice report Steve.