Best Times & Seasons to Catch Seatrout in Florida
Seatrout (both speckled and spotted) are some of the most popular fish to target in Florida. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch seatrout in Florida helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.
The best times to catch seatrout in Florida are during the spring and fall seasons, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when the tide is moving. Fishing near seagrass beds and deeper channels can increase your chances.
Florida offers world-class seatrout fishing throughout the year. Seatrout can be found in Florida’s seagrass beds, deeper channels, and near the areas where rivers flow into the ocean.
Best Times to Catch Seatrout in Florida
The best times to catch seatrout in Florida are in the spring from March to May and in the fall from September to November. During these seasons, the fish are really active and easier to catch. The best times of day are early in the morning and late in the afternoon when the sun isn’t too strong.
Cloudy days can also be great for fishing. Always check the tide charts; seatrout like moving water, so try to fish during incoming or outgoing tides. Look for them in areas with seagrass or near channels where smaller waters meet bigger ones.
Speckled Seatrout
The best times to catch speckled seatrout in Florida are during the spring from March to May and the fall from September to November. Fishing is usually best in the early morning or late afternoon because that’s when these fish like to eat. Try fishing near areas with seagrass or close to where rivers flow into the sea.
Spotted Seatrout
The best times to catch spotted seatrout in Florida are in spring and fall, especially from March to May and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are great times to fish because that’s when seatrout are most active. Look for places with seagrass or near the mouths of rivers and creeks where they flow into the ocean.
Seasonal Breakdown: Florida Seatrout
Winter
In winter, seatrout like to stay warm by swimming to deeper waters. That means you should try fishing in deep channels or close to where a river empties into the ocean. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually the best times to catch them, just like in other seasons.
If the sun is out, that can warm up the water a little and make the fish more active. You’ll also want to pay attention to the tide charts because seatrout are more likely to bite when the water is moving in or out.
Spring
You’ll want to go fishing in the early morning or late afternoon when the fish are most likely to be looking for food. Areas with seagrass are excellent spots because seatrout like to hang out there. You can also try fishing near the places where rivers flow into the ocean. Make sure to check the tide charts, because seatrout prefer to swim and eat when the tide is coming in or going out.
Summer
In the summer, seatrout in Florida are still active, but they like cooler water because it gets pretty hot. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to go fishing, as the sun isn’t as strong and the water is cooler. Try to find spots with a lot of seagrass; seatrout really like those areas.
Another good place to look is where rivers empty into the ocean. Always check the tide, because seatrout like to eat more when the water is moving, either coming in or going out.
Fall
In the fall, seatrout in Florida are getting ready for winter, so they’re eating a lot and are easier to catch. The best times to go fishing are early morning and late afternoon because the fish are most active then. Areas with seagrass are awesome spots to fish because seatrout like to hang out there.
Another good location is where a river flows into the ocean. Always look at the tide charts before you go, as seatrout are more likely to be hunting for food when the tide is moving in or going out.
Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day
The best times of day to go fishing are early in the morning and late in the afternoon. During these hours, seatrout are usually out looking for food and are easier to catch. You’ll also have a better chance if you fish when the tide is moving. That means either when the tide is coming in or going out, so make sure to check your tide charts!
Now, the worst time to fish for seatrout is usually in the middle of the day, especially when the sun is super bright. The fish often go to deeper water to stay cool, making them harder to catch. Also, when the tide is not moving, like during high or low tide, seatrout are less likely to be feeding, so it’s tougher to catch them. To find a good fishing spot, look for areas with seagrass or close to the spots where rivers flow into the ocean.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Florida
These Florida-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Captain Chris Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Great White Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Fish Slapped Charters | Clearwater, FL |
| Wet Lines Fishing | Clearwater, FL |
| Amelia Family Fishing Charters | Fernandina Beach, FL |
| 850 Charters | Destin, FL |
| Neptune Fishing Charters | Clearwater, FL |
| Leisure Life Charters | St. Petersburg, FL |
| Old Town Charters | Panama City Beach, FL |
Night Fishing for Florida Seatrout
The best time to catch them is usually right after sunset. The sky is dark enough to make the fish feel safe, but there’s still some light around to help you see. Areas near the spots where rivers flow into the ocean can be great for night fishing.
However, if it’s a super dark night with no moonlight, it might be harder to catch seatrout because they also have a tough time seeing their food. So, for the best luck, choose a night with some moonlight and make sure you’re fishing where the water is a bit deeper or near where a river meets the ocean.
Top Florida Seatrout Locations
Tampa Bay: Spring and fall are the best seasons for seatrout fishing here. Try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Make sure you’re fishing when the tide is coming in or going out. Look for deeper channels or spots with a lot of seagrass.
Florida Keys: You can catch seatrout all year, but March to May is especially good. The best times are during moving tides. Fish near areas with seagrass beds or where rivers empty into the ocean.
Indian River Lagoon: The prime time for seatrout is in the spring. Try to fish during moving tides, especially near seagrass beds. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times.
Apalachicola Bay: The fall season offers great seatrout fishing here. Target early mornings or late afternoons. Pay attention to the tides, as moving water is best. Look for deeper areas or spots with seagrass.
Everglades National Park: Winter is a strong season for seatrout because they go to deeper channels. Fishing during moving tides will give you the best chance. Early morning and late afternoon are usually good times.
Charlotte Harbor: Spring and fall are the top seasons for seatrout here. Make sure to fish during moving tides, and try to be out either early morning or late afternoon. Areas with seagrass are particularly good spots.
Mosquito Lagoon: Spring is a great time to fish for seatrout here. Focus on the times when the tide is active. Early morning or late afternoon near seagrass beds will be your best bet.
Pensacola Bay: In the spring, seatrout fishing is excellent. Aim for early mornings or late afternoons. Always check the tide, as moving water is better. Look for deeper areas or spots with seagrass.
Sarasota Bay: Late spring to early summer is your best bet. Fishing is usually better when the tide is moving. Focus on the early morning or late afternoon, especially near seagrass beds.
St. Augustine: Fall is a great time for seatrout fishing here. Best times are during moving tides, in the early morning or late afternoon. Fish near places where rivers flow into the ocean for good results.
Florida Seatrout & Weather
Weather can really affect your chances of catching seatrout in Florida. On sunny days, the fish might go to deeper water to stay cool, especially during the hot middle part of the day. That means you might have a harder time catching them then. On cloudy or overcast days, seatrout often feel more comfortable swimming in shallower waters, so your chances of catching them can be better.
Rain can be a mixed bag. Light rain might actually help because it can make the water surface blurry, making it harder for seatrout to see you. But heavy rain can make rivers and streams flood, making the water muddy and harder for the fish to see their food.
Wind direction matters too! A wind blowing towards the shore can push baitfish closer, attracting seatrout. But if the wind is blowing away from the shore, it might make fishing tougher. Overcast days, light rain, and winds blowing toward the shore can be your best friends for seatrout fishing.
Click here for a breakdown of the best water temperatures for seatrout. Click here for a breakdown of the best water temperatures for tarpon. Click here for a breakdown of the best times to catch permit in Florida. Click here for a breakdown of the best times to catch barracuda in Florida.
