Pale, silvery-tan trout without the bold spots of a speckled trout; smaller and softer, usually 0.5-2 lb. Often called white trout.
⚖ Texas & federal limits Bag, size and season rules apply — several offshore species run on federal seasons that open and close by the year. Check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual →.
On the water
WhenSpring through fall, often bunched in the ship channel and passes; a reliable summer bay bite, day or night around lights.WhereSand and mud bottoms of the bays, channels, passes, and just off the beach; schools over open bottom rather than tight structure.HowBounce shrimp or a small jig on the bottom, or drift the channels; when you catch one, work the same spot for the school.BehaviorSchooling bottom feeder that swarms shrimp and small fish over open bottom - frequently caught in numbers once a school is found.The fightModest head-shaking pull; scrappy in numbers on light tackle.
Baits that work
Fresh dead/live shrimp
Small soft-plastic jigs
Fishbites/cut bait
Tackle
Rod & reelLight 6.5-7 ft spinningLine10-15 lb braidLeader15-20 lb fluoroTerminal1/0-2/0, or a 1/8-1/4 oz jigRigShrimp on a jig head or a fish-finder rig
The bait clock
☀ DawnShrimp on the bottom in the channels
Schools feed over open bottom early.
☼ MiddayShrimp or small jig bounced on bottom
Steady daytime bay bite once you're over a school.
☾ DuskShrimp on bottom near drop-offs
Evening feed along channel edges.
★ NightShrimp under channel and dock lights
Lights concentrate bait and trout after dark.
[{'months': [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11], 'note': 'Long bay season; big numbers in the ship channel through summer.'}]
Numbers over trophies - a dependable meal-and-bait fish.
No spots, ever. Two large canines up front like a speck, but the body is plain and the tail squarer. If you see spots it's a speck and it counts against the speck slot — check the limits line above.
Handling & releaseSoft-mouthed and delicate; unhook gently. No barotrauma from bay depths.On the tableSweet and mild but soft - best eaten very fresh.As baitYes - good cut bait for reds, flounder, and sharks.
