Gray Trout (Weakfish)

Gray Trout (also called Weakfish)

You can find

ray

trout

from the

Carolinas north to

New England

with

very large

concentrations of

fish found between the

Chesapeake

Bay and Montauk,

Long Island. They are mostly an inshore fish found less than a mile
offshore. Many fish can be found along the surf and in the sounds,
bays and rivers. Some fish grow as large as 15 pounds, but most fish
that are caught average 2 to 4 pounds.

Catching Gray Trout (Weakfish)

From late spring through autumn, small boaters, surf and jetty
fishermen, and pier and bridge anglers have a blast catching weakfish.
Light to medium action spinning gear is all that is needed for weakfish.
If you happen to run into a very large fish, just let them run. Don’t horse
them in.

Chumming is popular for catching weakfish. Tiny grass shrimp are the
best chum. Throw a half dozen or so out at a time. Successful
fishermen will throw a few shrimp out in the current and let their line drift
out with the chum. After 90 to 100 feet, bring your line in and start
over. If you are fishing with shrimp and you can keep your bait in the
chum line, you have some nice, steady action. Some anglers get a hit
every cast with this method.

Artificial lures will also work. Any lure that imitates shrimp, crabs or
squid will work for weakfish. Jigs, swimming plugs and darters are the
most popular lures for catching weakfish. You can cast or troll these
lures. Weakfish are good for eating, but their meat is a little soft. The
meat should be eaten right away because it keep its flavor when frozen.