VIMS is interested in conducting further studies of large speckled trout (32 inches and above), to determine age and growth rates of Virginia speckled trout versus other states (Texas/Fla etc). To this point, they have seen some significant findings between our specks and other states' specks, but need a larger sample to further their conclusions. VIMS has been using citation data to locate anglers who caught these trophy sized speckled trout, in hopes of obtaining the carcass for examination.

John Lucy from the Va Game Fish Tagging Program & VIMS would like anglers to contact him directly at (804) 815-6231 or lucy@vims.edu if anyone catches a large 32"+ speckled trout and doesn't mind VIMS extracting the otilith bone after the fish is molded (for taxidermy) or after the fish is cleaned. Scientists from VIMS will study the otilith, which is a small bone found in the skull whose size increases with the age of the fish, to augment their research. If you know an angler who catches or who has caught a 32"+ speckled trout, and either they or their taxidermist has the fish (in a cooler, frozen), please contact John Lucy immediately!

From Barclay Shepard:

I just spoke with John Lucy from VIMS/Gamefish Tagging Program. He was trying to get in touch with me regarding aging studies of speckled trout. Dave Saunders did a mold of my 12lb 1oz 35 1/4" speck from 2 years ago and gave the fish to VIMS for further studies. What he found was really interesting, my speckled trout is officially the oldest speckled trout recorded in Chesapeake Bay waters. The fish was 12 years old (using the Otilith) and female. Apparently there was a 12 year old fish recorded in Texas a while back and a 15 year old fish reported in Florida, but the results cannot be confirmed due to using scales versus Otiliths.

thats some great news 12lb speck at 12 years old

These guys should have been asking for these (Carcuses) long before this, I caught over 100 citation fish between 2001-2003 and the largest was 39 1/2" 13.8lbs, and have lost several in the 40+ inch class and weigheing well over 15lbs. I have seen 45+ swimming along rocks in several ares of the Virginia Watersheds, and have never been able to hook one of those monsters, but someday I will.

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/Catchandrelease1/

If someone can tell me where and how to catch 32+ specs I would be extremely happy to share their head bones!

I will tell Robert and Rickie at the Fishing Center to keep an eye out for the 32" slob Trout.I checked the VMRC records they go back to 00.From 00 through 07 the largest Trout they have in their Citation list was a 38" Trout caught in the 05 season.There were a few 34 a couple of 33 and a Handful of 32 over the past 7 Years.

Kept my eye on submitted catches, and only sent in (10) although I did catch 33 during the 01-02 season. I was only looking to turn in a Virginia State record (size) but missed it by a half pound. One of these days I am sure I hit the mark though. Thanx

big specs love a cotton cordell broken-back in orange. throw up to the rocks and reel slow. another great bait is a small live croaker under a float. throw this up into the current between the rocks and the pilings and let drift out.

Floating any bait strips, live mullet, spot, menhaden, croaker, and minnows works well. This method works in a current, and or off the beach. The reason that the floating premade riggs comes with the float hollowed out in the top is so when fishing it you give the line a quick short snap, and the bobber/float "POPS" the water like a popping plug drawing attention to the area of the noise and hopefully tuning in your bait to a strike from a hungry trout. Tight lines