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Atlantic Croaker
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Micropogonias undulatus |
| Common Names: | croaker |
| Environment: | Inshore, Surf |
| Ideal Temp: | 48-90°F (9–32°C) |
About Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic croaker are about 12 inches (30 cm) long and weigh 1/2 to 2 pounds (226 g to 0.9 kg) on average. Its distinguishing characteristics include three to five pairs of small barbels or "whiskers" on their chins to help them feel for food on the sea floor; a lateral line that extends to the tip of its caudal (tail) fin; inferior mouth (located to the bottom of the head facing the ground), and brown vertical stripes on its sides. Adults are silver with a pinkish cast, while young are silvery and iridescent. Older fish are brassy in color with vertical brown streaks formed by spots that are on their scales.
The Atlantic croaker is a very important commercial fish. Millions of pounds are caught and sold every year in the United States and exported to other countries. The annual catch of croaker has declined in the past few years, probably due to over fishing. The best times for fishing for Atlantic croaker are from summer into the fall. They are easily caught on bait (dead shrimp) when fishing on the bottom. Small Atlantic croaker are used as a bait fish to catch other fish, especially spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosis) and crabs.
Atlantic croaker "croak" by vibrating their swim bladders with special muscles as part of their spawning ritual. A swim bladder is a pocket full of air inside the fish that helps keep it afloat and facing upright. This behavior attracts females. Along the Gulf Coast, they reach sexual maturity at about one year old. This varies in other areas. Spawning season is in the fall, with a peak between August and October. During spawning season, females will release between 100,000 and 2 million eggs, each about 0.35 mm in diameter. After hatching, the larvae (immature stage) drift toward land. They are abundant on soft bottoms, such as mud, where there are large amounts of detritus for them to feed on. The Atlantic croaker's diet includes shrimp, crabs, and detritus (dead and decomposing plant and animal matter).
Atlantic croaker can live up to eight years. Their predators include striped bass, shark, spotted seatrout, other croakers, and humans. Croaker that live in the northern part of their range mature later and live longer than those in the southern part of their range. Because of predation, more than 95% of the Atlantic croaker population dies every year. Atlantic croaker should not be eaten raw because they may pass trematodes (parasites) to humans. The croaker is closely related to spotted seatrout and red drum.
Habitat
Atlantic croaker prefer estuaries and bays through the spring and summer, then travel offshore in the fall to breed.
Distribution
The Atlantic croaker is found on the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts southward and throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
Atlantic Croaker Fishing
| World Record: | 3.94 kg (8 lb 11 oz) Chesapeake Bay, Virgina, USA 17-Aug-2007 Norman T. Jenkins |
| # Fish Caught: | 8208988 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 28.45915, -96.79089. |
| Latest Record: | 6/4/2024 3:44:47 PM and located at 36.20031, -75.76470. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig |
| Fishing Spots: | 278 Atlantic Croaker fishing spots. |
Latest Atlantic Croaker Fishing Reports and Spots
96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 18/10/24 How many species of fish can you see in this grea (
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Saturday September 28 2024 Fishing Report Hurricane Helene has made things a bit interesting but fortunately for our area the effects have been (
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Monday September 30 2024 Fishing Report It was a gorgeous weekend here on the Outer Banks. It sure was perfect for all the outdoor activities es (
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Summer 2024 - 10/1/2024 2:57:08 PM
Summertime and the fishing was easy! Our inshore trips turned out the spot and croakers throughout the season. Our popular full-day flounder t (
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With September ushering in some changing water temperatures it really helped us to maximize the diversity of the catch! Black sea bass bluefish (
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Evidently Hurricane Helene is headed to Florida hopefully passing us by as she hits over near Tallahassee. But we were able to squeeze in one (
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Sunday August 4 2024 Fishing Report Can you believe it’s already August? Summer is flying by! The fishing action continues to be as hot as these (
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Friday August 9 2024 Fishing Report We hope you’re still enjoying the dog days of summer! Even with the effects of Tropical Storm Debby anglers (
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Friday August 23 2024 Fishing Report It has been a beautiful week on the Outer Banks! Luckily there hasn’t been a lack of fish! Surf fishing has (
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We are having some good fishing from Duck surf. Plenty of spot croakers sea mullet bluefish flounder and red drum. The post Gods Fishing From D (
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