Croaker

Season in South Jersey

Peak months: Jul, Aug.

Aug 2026: croakers plentiful in the Waretown bay and the Cape May and Wildwood surf; July 2017 a few in the Cape May surf. (Our inference)

Season by region

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.

Recipes for croaker

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 NJ limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife before you keep a fish.

Sources

• On The Water: Southern New Jersey Fishing Report, August 13 2026 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: South Jersey Fishing Report, July 27 2017 (Riptide, Fin-Atics, Tony's, Creekside) (Angler knowledge)
• 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)

All the fish of South Jersey