Weakfish Fishing Charters

Weakfish, also called sea trout or gray trout, is a beautiful gamefish found along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts. These iridescent fish with their speckled sides have been making a comeback and are a welcome target on party boats from the Chesapeake Bay to New England.

Party boats target Weakfish over sandy and muddy bottoms in bays, sounds, and nearshore waters in depths of 5 to 30 feet. Live shrimp, squid strips, and soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the bottom are effective. Weakfish have soft mouths and subtle bites that require a gentle touch.

The fight is light but enjoyable. Weakfish make short runs and head shakes but must be handled carefully because of their delicate mouths. A heavy hand will pull the hook free. Most fish run 1 to 3 pounds, with larger specimens reaching 6 to 8 pounds.

Weakfish is excellent eating with delicate, tender, white flesh that has a mild, sweet flavor. The fillets are best cooked gently with simple preparations like broiling or pan-searing. The flesh is quite soft, so it should be consumed fresh for the best quality.