Croaker

Season in Upper Texas

Peak months: Aug, Sep, Oct.

TPWD Sea Rim tip sheet: croaker in surf and marsh year-round. TPWD: best fishing from summer into fall. Port Arthur News: 1.5 to 2 lb croaker in the winter surf. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Surf and marsh year-round (TPWD Sea Rim); good-size fish in the winter surf on dead shrimp or scented plastics (Port Arthur News).

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

TPWD says do not eat croaker raw (parasites). Texas lists no limit (Sea Rim sheet); see the regulations file.

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 TX limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you keep a fish.

Sources

• TPWD Sea Rim State Park fishing tip sheet, PWD LF P4504-055I (1/26), with a surf/marsh season column per species (Official source)
• TPWD species profile: Atlantic croaker (Official source)
• Port Arthur News, Chester Moore Jr., Nov 19, 2016: don't forget winter surf (Sea Rim, McFadden, Bolivar) (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 Upper Texas