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Daddy by day, fisherman at night.
If you’re anything like many passionate anglers that prefer one game over the other, particularly speckled trout, then this article is for you. You probably already have one of our best spinning rods for trout, but have you found the right lure yet?
Speckled trout love to eat small fish, crabs, and shrimp, so any lure resembling these will be a great bait. Now, every angler is different and prefers different lures, so we compiled a list of the best speckled trout lures on the market today.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our fine selection of best fishing lures for speckled trout — from Gulp Shrimp to seedless spoons — the choice is all yours!
Top 3 Speckled Trout Lures
Best Speckled Trout Lure For Topwater
Heddon One Knocker Spook
- Quality-made treble hooks
- Premium quality tungsten
- Works well in windy weather
Most Popular Speckled Trout Lure
Bass Assassin Sea Shad
- Simple to use
- Budget-friendly
- Long-standing manufacturing tradition
Best Speckled Trout Lure For Dirty Water
Rapala X-Rap
- Holographic inserts
- Excellent performance in shallow water
- Works well for long casting
8 Best Speckled Trout Lures
Heddon One Knocker Spook
WHY WE LIKE IT: Next up is one of the best topwater lures for speckled trout fishing — the Heddon One Knocker Spook that will spook even the scariest predatory fish your way. With every twitch you make, this lure produces an irresistible thumping sound that attracts fish from a great distance!
- Color: 17 colors including Chartreuse Silver and Chrome Pink
- Size: 4.5 inches
- Weight: 0.047 pounds
Pros
- Quality-made treble hooks
- Premium quality tungsten
- Works well in windy weather
- Super loud rattle
Cons
- Not for rookies
- Can benefit from a better coating paint
- Not the best option for smaller trout
OVERVIEW: From personal experience, try this lure out for inshore fishing and whip the rod tip downward upon retrieve — do it early in the morning and see it work its magic in the strike zone. Seasoned anglers will tell you to use this speckled trout lure to catch seatrout, and we agree. Moreover, you can catch redfish, too.
FEATURES: Due to the quality tungsten rattle and loud thump, this Heddon topwater lure will catch you a big trout any time of day. The size makes it a perfect choice for fishing gator trout, too.
Bass Assassin Sea Shad
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Bass Assasin does well in any body of water, regardless of the weather conditions and time of day. The paddle tail made of soft plastic is like a magnet to speckled trout — it creates the right ripples all the way. Plus, coming from a manufacturer with over 25 years of experience making lures, the Bass Assasin lives up to its name.
- Color: 42 color combinations including Electric Blue/White Tail and Hot Chicken
- Size: 4 inches
- Weight: 0.022 pounds
Pros
- Simple to use
- Budget-friendly
- Long-standing manufacturing tradition
- Scented with P-enzyme formula
Cons
- Tears after some use
- Color can fade fast
- Not the best choice for rookies
OVERVIEW: One of the pieces of advice would be to pair the Bass Assassin with the fly rods for trout that helps you to get a combination of successful day and trophy. Also, try this lure out in any rigging technique and under any water conditions — grass flats, shallow water, or murky rivers.
FEATURES: With so many color options, finding a trout lure is nearly impossible. Go for the albino/fire tail if you fish later in the day or the root beer/red glitter if you’re in speckled trout fishing early in the morning.
Rapala X-Rap
WHY WE LIKE IT: This jerkbait mirrors the shape and size of bait fish that speckled trout like to chase. Even the finicky trout can’t resist the X-Rap, especially if you try the pause-and-jerk method. As one of the best lures in the market, the Rapala X-Rap is perfect for both seasoned anglers and rookies.
- Color: 17 color options including Mullet and Silver
- Size: 2-3/4 in; 3-1/2 in
- Weight: 0.028 – 0.047 pounds
Pros
- Holographic inserts
- Excellent performance in shallow water
- Works well for long casting
- Internal weight system
Cons
- The lip can be easily snapped off
- Not very durable overall
- It might be better scented
OVERVIEW: Troll it or cast it; the X-Rap won’t disappoint. If you feel adventurous, you can use the X-Rap as a search bait — cast it and slowly retrieve it. If the trout are scattered all over, slowly troll the lure, hold your rod steady, and yank it hard every few seconds.
FEATURES: If you’re looking for the best lure for dirty water fishing, you’ve found it! Its bright color makes it irresistible for speckled trout and sea trout, so many anglers never go without these lures in their tackle boxes.
MirrOlure Mirrodine XL
WHY WE LIKE IT: The MirrOlure Mirrodine XL is a speckled trout lure you’ll love watching in action. This little guy makes a perfect topwater lure for catching trout.
- Color: 16 colors including Green/Silver and Hot Pink Bk/Chartreuse/Silver
- Size: 3 1/8 in
- Weight: 0.035 pounds
Pros
- Perfect with any retrieve
- Realistic 3D eyes
- Fish-attracting rattles
- Reflective inserts
Cons
- Not a great lure for grass flats
- Not recommended for rookies
- It can be a bit bigger
OVERVIEW: We have used this speckled trout lure to catch fish in the range of 3-5 feet underwater. During summer, focus on the rod tip more to make the lure move more aggressively — you’ll notice a lot of curious tugs.
FEATURES: The particular design of this speckled trout bait makes trout go at it vigorously. The reflective inserts in the lure’s body resemble sardines, which speckled trout love! You won’t regret making the MirrOdine a must-have in your tackle box.
Berkley Gulp! Alive! Paddleshad
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for scented trout fishing lure, look no further than the Berkley Gulp. Coming in hot, with attractive color options and irresistible fish-attracting scents, the Gulp shrimp is like glass minnows to trout. Spin it or cast it, and you’ll catch more speckled trout than you probably expected.
- Color: 14 colors available including Pearl White/Chartreuse and Black Gold
- Size: 3 in, 4 in, 5 in
- Weight: 1.125 – 1.21 pounds
Pros
- Perfect for spinning and casting
- Scents can be replenished
- Fish-attracting color patterns
- Soft material that produces fast action
Cons
- Not as durable as expected
- Not always in stock
- The tail can snap
OVERVIEW: Speckled sea trout find the paddleshad extremely attractive, as do other big fish (it resembles jerk shad). It is, without a doubt, one of the best lures to catch a sea trout. We tried it around oyster bars and shallow grass flats — it’s a great bang for your buck.
FEATURES: The proprietary Gulp! material allows the scent to disperse more effectively than in other speckled trout lures. The scent is water soluble, leaving a trail of aroma as you retrieve the lures.
The MirrOlure MirrOdine Twitch Bait
WHY WE LIKE IT: The MirrOlure MirrOdine Twitch is one of the best speckled trout lures doubling as a twitch bait. The specific design resembles wounded baitfish moving in slow motion, attracting quite the game.
- Color: Green/Pearl/Silver, Green Back/White/Silver and 18 other color varieties
- Size: 2 5/8 inches
- Weight: 0.023 pounds
Pros
- Nicely designed, wide body
- It sinks slow
- Glowing inset
- Realistic 3D eyes
Cons
- Hooks might be tricky to change
- Not the best lure for rookies
- There isn't a scented version
OVERVIEW: As we noticed, Green/White/Silver and Pilchard are two must-have colors to catch you a big trout! With a twitch retrieve, this lure will mimic wounded baitfish that no speckled trout will resist.
FEATURES: The amazingly versatile color options make finding the best lure for the fishing environment easy. And if you rig this bait with a jig head, you can forget all about any other lure!
The Johnson Silver Minnow
WHY WE LIKE IT: As the name entails, the Johnson Silver Minnow is close to a natural minnow that speckled trout enjoy feeding on. The color options this bait comes in create the perfect flashes that trigger the interest of even the pickiest specks.
- Color: 17 color combinations including Gold, Silver and Red/White
- Size: 2 3/4 inches
- Weight: 0.047 pounds
Pros
- Can add customizable trailers
- Solid weed guard
- Sturdy hook
- Casts long
Cons
- The hook can get dull
- The line eyelet can bend
- Not for newbie anglers
OVERVIEW: These speckled trout lures usually come in silver and gold, which is enough to stir the waters around ferocious fish. We prefer to use the gold version during sunrise and save the silver one for dusky trout fishing.
FEATURES: These weedless spoons will glide over oyster bars and grass flats like knives through butter. The gently fluttering resembles wounded baitfish, so speckled trout won’t easily resist the urge to bite.
Z-Man Trout Trick
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Z-Man delivers one of the best soft plastic baits for catching speckled trout and other sizeable gamefish. With the numerous color options, these lures mimic typical speckled trout food like finger mullet and pinfish. Cast them over rocky water surfaces and retrieve them in one piece — the soft plastic material is super durable!
- Color: 20 colors available including Pumpkin Chartreuse and Bad Shad
- Size: 5 inches
- Weight: 0.08 pounds
Pros
- Made in the US
- Perfect for speckled trout fishing on a cloudy day
- Durable and stretchy soft plastic
- Ribbed body
Cons
- No scented versions
- A bit pricey
- No paddle tail
OVERVIEW: We recommend to use this super stretchy lure as a rigged weedless bait that can withstand quite a few bumps and slaps across different bodies of water. And professional anglers like to use it to go trout fishing when overcast.
FEATURES: There are a lot of color patterns that are tried and tested to catch trout in any weather condition. The size of this lure is perfect for big trout, but it won’t be a great fit for bait to attract smaller specks.
How to Select Speckled Trout Lure?
Rod & Reel
The type of rod and reel you use to catch speckled trout will condition the outcome. For instance, a 7 ft medium-to-light action rod works perfectly for this species because it allows you to feel the bite and retrieve it in time. As per the reel, if you’re a beginner angler, it’s best to start off with a spinning reel. It’s the most straightforward solution to get you going.
Otherwise, choose a baitcasting reel or a fast-action rod that’ll enable you to maneuver the line fast and not lose that speckled trout you’ve been chasing.
Color
Any seasoned angler will probably say that the color of the lure makes or breaks the deal, and we agree. As a rule of thumb, darker lure colors work best in slightly dirty water; a darker-colored bait with a chartreuse tail is also a good fit for fishing in murky waters.
On the other hand, some anglers argue that darker baits are best for fishing early in the morning or during sunsets. The bait you choose should be able to reel in a game you’re after only if you use it properly.
Size
Size matters for a lot of things, including fishing for speckled trout. Generally, a large bait is used to catch bigger fish, whereas smaller lures are best at attracting smaller fish. The best lure size to catch speckled trout ranges from 1.5 – 4 inches in length. However, seasoned anglers might go for a 5-inch lure and reel in quite a game.
Season
Fall fishing for trout is different from summer speckled trout fishing, and the season impacts the overall outcome of your fishing session. Moreover, household lure manufacturers make distinctive season lure lines for different seasons.
For instance, plastic worms and jerkbaits are great for early spring trout fishing, and crankbaits and spinnerbaits make perfect lures for fall trout fishing.
Anglers agree that fall is the best season for speckled trout fishing. Trout begin to move back to the marshes at this time to feed on small fish and prepare for the winter slumber. Spring is also very favorable for hunting speckled trout because water temperature rises and trout become more active. They start to feed more preparing for the mating season.
Water conditions
The warmer the weather, the more active the trout. In general, trout are known to be most active in water temperatures ranging between 34 and 67ºF. Trout begin to look for food as soon as the water temperature passes 40 or 45ºF degrees.
Realistic Looks
The design can be detrimental to the outcome of the fishing session. Go for speckled trout lures made of soft plastic and topwater lures that work every time. The best lures are those you can’t tell apart from actual live bait.
Reliable Action
To a pro angler, a fast to extra-fast rod action is the best to feel even the slightest bite. But, most agree that moderate fast is the optimal limit for trout fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, it depends on the weather conditions as well as the water conditions. If you’re trout fishing in murky waters in the daytime, you can’t go wrong with using firetiger, chartreuse, pink, or white lures.
On average, trout respond best to a lure between 1.5 –4 in long. Anything smaller might not be worth the trouble.
Speckled trout are attracted to small fish they feed on, so a lure made of soft plastic will do the trick. Lead jig heads are great for speckled trout, too.
Generally speaking, the best time to go fishing is during the day. But for trout, the low light ambience is most attractive. You can catch speckled trout the most during sunrise and sunset, but they are more active at night.