The first step to use when targeting any species of fish is to learn what they like. Spotted seatrout like;

• Grass flats
• Oyster bars
• Abundant prey offerings

The best place to find a spotted seatrout is by far the grass flats. These fish inhabit the inshore saltwater estuaries throughout the southern regions of the United States of America. Typically, if you can find a few acres of healthy sea grass, you will also find trout. Their entire life cycle occurs within the inshore environment. They will typically be caught in water depths of six feet or less. Sometimes they can be found in water less than 12 inches deep.

The second best inshore environment to find your target species is near an oyster bar. Oyster bars are excellent places to target these fish because a healthy oyster bar is a haven for small shrimp, crabs and small fish. Large oyster bars are also an exceptional environmental indicator for a healthy water system. Oysters do not thrive unless the waters they reside in are clean and healthy. If you want to target these fish, you should seek out healthy grass flats or healthy oyster bars.

The third indicator a fisherman should seek out for potential spotted seatrout haunts is bait schools. If you can find a school of any of the following species, you will most likely find your target species. Their favorites seem to be shrimp followed closely by sardines, glass minnows and pilchards. Larger trout seem to like large mullet and pin fish offerings best.

The 3 best lures to catch a spotted seatrout depends upon the fisherman, but this fisherman prefers the following;

• Scented soft plastics combines with a red jig head
• Gold spoons
• Any imitation mullet lure

Scented soft plastics used in combination with a jig head is this fisherman's favorite when it comes to catching these fish. This species of fish loves to hit the jig on the fall as it covers the water column up and down. When the water is colder a slower jigging technique and a slower retrieve is necessary. When the water temperatures are above 70 degrees a faster retrieve will often work better.

Gold spoons catch just about every fish in the ocean. This ancient fishing lure works very well. They come in a normal version with a treble hook but they can also be found with weed less versions. A fisherman should decide which is best for the fishing conditions they are experiencing.

Any imitation mullet lure will catch larger fish. The walk-the-dog type of mullet imitations work best for this fisherman but the suspending and sinking versions will also work well depending upon the water depth. There are also soft plastic imitation mullet lures that will work very well. Just cast this lure into a school a mullet and wait for the strike.

The author of this article has over 40 years of inshore and offshore saltwater and freshwater fishing experience. He is also the co-owner of FYAO Saltwater Media Group, Inc. and the creator of the website http://www.fishyourassoff.com. This website shows simple tips to help fishermen catch more fish.