This is regarding the question about studies on speckled trout spawning. I’ve linked the Sportfish Center’s Spotted Seatrout Species Profile and the paper I was discussing last night:

https://issuu.com/harte_research_institute/docs/cssc_species_profile_flyer-s.trout_v.2

 https://www.gsmfc.org/publications/gsmfc%20number%20087.pdf

Below is the information on why some spotted seatrout make sounds while others do not. The answer is that male spotted seatrout have a specialized muscle called a sonic muscle that vibrates against the swim bladder, producing drumming or croaking sounds.

This muscle is exclusive to male spotted seatrout and is used to attract females during spawning, as illustrated in the picture. Furthermore, research has shown that their red sonic muscle is prominent only during spawning and becomes inactive during winter. This is also observed in male red drum, spot, star drum, and silver perch, although both sexes of black drum and Atlantic croaker possess sonic muscles.

Picture 1: Male spotted seatrout anatomy

Picture 2: Female spotted seatrout anatomy

Here is the information for the Sportfish Center Tagging Initiative. This is a great opportunity for recreational anglers to participate in the scientific process. If you are interested in tagging the species listed below, please email me at james.sanchez@tamucc.edu or scan the QR code to request a tagging kit. In your email, please include your first and last name, phone number, email address, and mailing address for our records. Once I receive this information, I’ll mail your tagging kit to you.

Species of interest:

- Southern Flounder (Any size)

- Spotted Seatrout >20 in

- Red Drum >30 in

- Snook (Common and Largescale Fat; any size)

- Atlantic Tarpon

- Cobia

- Tripletail