Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

How they feed

• Water60–85°F, best near 72°
• TideIncoming
• MoonEither
• DepthUsually 3–15 ft

Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works

Season by state

• FloridaYear-round
• MarylandMay–Oct
• North CarolinaApr–Nov
• TexasMar–Dec
• VirginiaMay–Oct
• South CarolinaApr–Nov
• DelawareMay–Oct
• LouisianaFeb–Nov
• AlabamaMar–Nov
• MississippiMar–Nov
• GeorgiaApr–Nov

The Maryland, Delaware and Virginia months are the Chesapeake-region season. Everywhere else it is carried over by water temperature: a month counts at a spot when its usual water is in the range that marks the mid-Atlantic season (63°F and warmer), from the spot’s own gauge where it has one and an estimate from air temperature where it doesn’t. Each state lists the months that hold at half or more of its spots. Where the water temperatures come from.

Keep or release

• Alabama15" minimum · 22" maximum · 6 a day15–22" slot, 6/person/day (one over 22" allowed).Gulf waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• Delaware tidal12" minimum · no daily limitDelaware tidal waters: 12" minimum, no daily limit, open all year.Atlantic waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Delaware tidal12" minimum · no daily limitDelaware tidal waters: 12" minimum, no daily limit, open all year.Tidal delaware waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Florida15" minimum · 19" maximum · 3 a dayNortheast Region: 15–19" slot; no fish over 19" may be kept. 3 per person a day, open year-round.Atlantic waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Florida15" minimum · 19" maximum · 3 a dayTampa Bay south through Everglades National Park: 15–19" slot; one fish over 19" per vessel, or per person from shore, counts in the bag. 3 per person a day, open year-round.Gulf waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Georgia14" minimum · 15 a day14" minimum, 15/person/day.Atlantic waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• Louisiana13" minimum · 20" maximum · 15 a day13–20" slot, 15/person/day (two over-slot allowed).Gulf waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• Maryland tidal14" minimum · 4 a dayMaryland Atlantic coast and coastal bays: 14" minimum, 4 a day, open all year.Atlantic waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Maryland tidal14" minimum · 4 a dayMaryland Chesapeake Bay: 14" minimum, 4 a day, open all year. May not be used as bait.Tidal bay waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Mississippi15" minimum · 15 a day15" minimum, 15/person/day.Gulf waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• North Carolina14" minimum · 20" maximum · 3 a day14–20" slot, 3/person/day, with one over 26" allowed. DMF can close the fishery by proclamation after a winter cold stun.Atlantic waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• South Carolina14" minimum · 10 a day14" minimum, 10/person/day.Atlantic waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• Texas15" minimum · 20" maximum · 3 a day15–20" slot, 3/person/day. One trout over 28" per year with a Spotted Seatrout Tag.Gulf waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
• Virginia tidal (VMRC)14" minimum · 5 a dayVirginia tidal waters: 14" minimum, 5 a day with no more than 1 over 24". Recreational anglers may not take, catch or possess speckled trout from Apr 1 to Jun 30, 2026 (4VAC20-280-30).Atlantic waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
• Virginia tidal (VMRC)14" minimum · 5 a dayVirginia tidal waters: 14" minimum, 5 a day with no more than 1 over 24". Recreational anglers may not take, catch or possess speckled trout from Apr 1 to Jun 30, 2026 (4VAC20-280-30).Tidal bay waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source

Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. Spotted seatrout are fished at spots in 11 states: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia.