Fish guide
Croaker
Micropogonias undulatus.
Showing the fish for Delaware, Maryland and Virginia ocean coast.
Season in Delmarva
Peak months: Sep.
The Fisherman: croaker in the Delaware surf in September and October. DNREC: abundant, 5 to 12 in, larger fish usually in nearshore ocean water. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Piers and troughs, warm months.
Bottom.
What to look for
Evening tides.
Bait
Shrimp, Bloodworms, Squid strips. Double-drop, #2 to 1/0 hooks, 2 to 3 oz.
Leader
20 lb.
Landing
Simple.
Handling
- Sharp gill-cover and dorsal spines
Grip from behind, fold the dorsal down.
Keep or release
Good eating. Check state rules.
Typical: 5 to 12 in. Large: unknown. Delaware record 5 lb 3.5 oz (1980).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the DE and MD and VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Delaware DNREC Fish and Wildlife before you keep a fish.
Sources
- The Fisherman: Delaware Surf, Small Wonder, Big Options (Angler knowledge)
- DNREC Delaware Fish and Shellfish Facts: Atlantic Croaker (Official source)
- NC Division of Marine Fisheries species profile: Atlantic Croaker (citing Miglarese et al. 1982) (Official source)
- Fisherman's Post North Myrtle Beach / Little River reports 2025-2026 (Angler knowledge)
Is croaker worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
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