June is the peak month for big spotted seatrout to congregate in shallow water, and you regularly will catch 7- to 9-pound specks then in the Gulf of Mexico. On some days, you only may catch one trout this size, and on other days, you may catch three or four trout.

You can fish under birds and drifting reefs to catch and release 50 to 100 trout in a day, but if you're fishing for trophy trout, you'll want to move closer to the shore. The larger trout feed on bigger baitfish. The menu includes mullet that move along the mud flats of the shoreline.

Anytime you're fishing under the birds or drifting the oyster reefs, you still can pick up big spotted seatrout, but if you want to target only big fish, concentrate on the shoreline.

Be prepared to get fewer bites on the shoreline, but you can take home bragging-size spotted seatrout there. Too, fish the areas where you normally catch red drum for opportunities at big spotted seatrout. The large fish prefer to eat bigger baits because they expend less energy, get more food and don't have to chase the baits a long distance.