Everyone targets Reds, and specks. I have caught sandtrout while chasing those two. I want to target mostly sand trout. They have no bag limit. And they taste good grilled and fried lol. Any advice would be appreciated

I have caught ice chest full of sand trouts at the dike at night time under lights ..

What were you using for bait?What rig did you use?

Use a popping cork.
But Instead of using live bait, used fresh dead shrimp.

Specks will avoid it, and most reds will do the same.

I catch sandies pretty consistently over deeper holes with grass beds. "Deep Hole" is a relative thing depending on where you are fishing.

I use a #1 circle hook and a piece of shrimp, fish bites work sometimes. I tend to use a more sensitive rod with them because I catch more when I can feel them hit the bait, keep a tight line and just lift the rod tip.

I also tend to use a long drop shot rig so I can keep the bait above the grass top. A fish finder rig works well too, but you need a very long leader between the weight and the hook.

Sand trout do fry up nice, but don't freeze them, they'll turn into goo when you do.