Fish guide
Croaker
Micropogonias undulatus.
Showing the fish for Nature Coast and Big Bend, FL.
Season in Big Bend
FWC: generally found north of Tampa Bay on the west coast; older fish offshore in winter and in bays spring to fall. (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
Bays and estuaries spring to fall (FWC).
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
Very good eating, and small live croakers are top bait for big trout (LSU). Florida rules apply.
Typical: About 9 in, 0.5 lb. Large: 2 lb and up. SC record 4 lb 9 oz (1979).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Florida FWC species profile: 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)
- SCDNR species profile: Atlantic croaker (Official source)
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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