Larger Fish:
* Redfish (Red Drum): A large, predatory fish that can grow to over 50 pounds.
* Grouper: Many species of grouper, including gag grouper and red grouper, can prey on spotted sea trout.
* Cobia: A large, powerful fish that can reach over 100 pounds and is known to eat a variety of fish, including sea trout.
* Shark: Several shark species, including blacktip sharks, bull sharks, and spinner sharks, may include spotted sea trout in their diet.
* Snook: Another large predatory fish that can grow to over 40 pounds and is a common inhabitant of the same coastal waters as spotted sea trout.
* Jack Crevalle: These aggressive fish can grow to over 30 pounds and often hunt in schools, making them a formidable threat to smaller fish like spotted sea trout.
Other Predators:
* Birds: Larger birds, like pelicans and osprey, can prey on spotted sea trout, particularly juveniles.
* Dolphins: While primarily feeding on squid and fish, dolphins are known to include spotted sea trout in their diet.
The size and location of the spotted sea trout will influence which predators are most likely to target them. Smaller trout are more vulnerable to birds and smaller fish, while larger trout are more likely to be preyed upon by larger sharks, redfish, and groupers.