Weakfish: a.k.a. Gray Trout

Gray Trout are schooling fish known for living on sandy shorelines during the summer. They retreat as a group to the depths of the ocean in the winter to keep warm. They spawn after their migration in the spring, with the most activity occurring April through June. As the females grow, they are able to produce more eggs, and will spawn multiple times a season.  The majority of the population becomes sexually mature after the first year and are able to start spawning soon after.

The Gray Trout is known for its slender body. Despite what most people think, the term “Weakfish” is not the result of the fish’s inability to fight; in fact, they’re actually decent fighters. The only weakness about them is the membrane of their mouth, which is easily torn when they are hooked. This can sometimes be a safety mechanism as weakfish are able to escape from an angler’s grasp with little damage afterwards. They are known scientifically as Cynoscion Regalis and are green/gray in color.  They have silver bellies and black spots on top. Many grow as long as 29 inches and can weigh up to 12 pounds. These fish have a maximum life span of a little over 10 years. 

Weakfish can be caught on lures, jigs and bait, but beware of the soft membrane of the mouth.

They are targeted seasonally according to their location, but are declining in numbers. They have been matched with an increasing population of predators and a decreasing population of prey.  In recent years, the death toll for Weakfish in nature alone has skyrocketed. Over-fishing hasn’t become a problem, but this fish may be dying off on its own. The only thing that would help is if their predator and prey populations come in to balance again.