Download the mobile app!

Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.

Check out our new Android or iOS app for Fishing Status.

The long awaited return of our mobie app is back on Apple App Store and Google Play

Atlantic Croaker

Species Information

Scientific Name:Micropogonias undulatus
Environment:Inshore, Surf
Ideal Temp:48-90°F (9–32°C)
Technique:Bottom Fishing
Lure Type:Bottom Rig
World Record:3.94 kg (8 lb 11 oz) Chesapeake Bay, Virgina, USA 17-Aug-2007 Norman T. Jenkins
Other Names: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.

Latest Atlantic Croaker Fishing Reports and Spots

Outer Banks Fishing Report 8/25/23 - 8/25/2023 12:45:49 PM

Outer Banks Fishing Report: on the beaches we have been catching spot croakers sea mullet bluefish and a few red drum. Picture of Joey with a 1 (View)

Hatteras Island Fishing Report - 8/26/2023 11:47:31 PM

The high was 86 while the low was 80 with light to moderate winds. Gusts up to 24mph today. Currently it’s 81 feels like 86 with SW winds aroun (View)

Hatteras Island Fishing Report - 8/23/2023 8:38:10 PM

The high was 84 while the low was 75 with light to moderate winds. Gusts up to 34mph today. Currently it’s 77 feels like 78 with NNE winds arou (View)

Hatteras Island Fishing Report - 8/19/2023 11:27:24 PM

Happy weekend! The high was 88 while the low was 78 with light to gentle winds. Gusts up to 20mph today. Currently it’s 79 feels like 86 with E (View)

Red Drum Caught From Duck Surf 8/17/23 - 8/17/2023 10:23:20 AM

Red drum caught from Duck surf. We are also catching plenty of spot croakers sea mullet and bluefish. The post Red Drum Caught From Duck Surf 8 (View)

Great Surf Fishing On The Outer Banks 8/9/23 - 8/9/2023 12:13:15 PM

Great surf fishing on the surf here on the Outer Banks. Plenty of spot croakers sea mullet and red drum. Pictures of Derek and Luke with some n (View)

July 2023 - 8/4/2023 10:26:23 AM

July was hot… not with just the temperature but from the fishing! Each trip type really excelled in bringing in the fish.  Half-day & night fish (View)

08/02/2023 - 8/2/2023 8:54:15 PM

More sharks today at ramp 45. Some croaker and mullet down in Hatteras. Blue fish on metal at ramp 55. Have a great night……………..RDT!!! The post (View)

Hatteras Island Fishing Report - 8/2/2023 11:34:08 PM

The high was 80 while the low was 73 with light to gentle winds. Gusts up to 25mph today. Currently it’s 73 with NE winds around 5mph. Tomorrow (View)

7-26-23 - 7/26/2023 2:07:21 PM

Scattered Sailfish and some Kingfish have been the best bets offshore in the 70′ to 80′ range. Surf anglers have been catching a few Snook earl (View)