Spotted sea trout and speckled perch are easily the favorite table fare of Central Florida anglers.

Both are abundant and possessed of a mild tasting firm white flesh. Trout and specks are also the chef's favorite for they lend themselves to most any recipe. Either fried, baked, broiled or grilled they are hard to beat.

Once the summer heat recedes and the water temperatures drop both become easier to catch. Over in the fresh water lakes that dot the mighty St. Johns River, cooler water will send the specks out to the center. Once they school up there fishermen in the know will troll tiny jigs to catch a 25-fish limit.

Lakes like Monroe, Crescent, Woodruff and George will come alive with the out of state visitors who flock here each fall to take part in the speckled perch bonanza. They are drawn to Central Florida because of the size and numbers of our version of crappie. With speckled perch averaging over two times the size of northern crappie, the lakes can become crowded.

The local fishermen will be there as well, hoping to take home a tasty meal of specks. All summer those perch stay under the cover of lilies or other structures, but, come cooler weather, head to the center of the lakes to spawn.

Trolling with an electric motor is the preferred method, but not the only way. Over the years I have had great success using my outboard and even caught them trolling with a 100 horse machine. Put out multiple lines with different colored jigs until you hit upon the hot one. I use split shot weight to lower or raise the baits in the water column. Once you discover the right depth and the best color, get ready for fun!

Traditionally our area has a winter time yield of some of the largest sea trout in the state. As soon as the water temperatures begins to fall, the trout will gather in the deeper holes. If you know those spots, you will be in for lots of action.

Trout are game fish that will hit most any lure from a top water to a jig bounced on the bottom. For that reason and their great taste, they are at the top of most salt water fishermen's list.

Some of the prime spots to catch big fall sea trout would be around High Bridge in the northeastern part of the county, the Tomoka River near Ormond Beach and Eldora in the eastern center of Mosquito Lagoon. Although that place is not as productive as it once was, I would say there are more mounted trout on area walls from there than any place else.

Put in at the boat ramp just south of the gate to Canaveral National Seashore on A1A south of New Smyrna Beach or drive down to Eldora to wade. For years that was the preferred way to catch trophy sea trout there. Live bait always works well, but I prefer my jig and MirrOlure. Fish the plug early and switch to the jig after sun up.

Folks you can't go wrong fishing speckled perch and spotted sea trout in cool water. Other species become more difficult to catch when the weather cools but both of those turn on.

Dan Smith has fished the waters of Volusia County for more than 40 years. Email questions and comments to fishwdan@att.net. His book, “I Swear the Snook Drowned,” is available for purchase for $10.95 at (386) 441-7793.

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