inshore

Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Florida's #1 inshore target. Topwater dawn/dusk, soft plastics on the flats, live shrimp under a popping cork.

Preferred water temp60–85°F

Preferred depth1–15 ft

Peak monthsMar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Holds ongrass flats, passes, mangroves, docks, drop-offs

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 1 of 9 regulations for North Carolina

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 4 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ TL (total length)

4/person/day, 14" TL min. Closed annually June 15-Sept 14 in NC waters when proclamation issued (cold-kill recovery).

NC Division of Marine Fisheries — check current proclamations.