Croaker

Season in Virginia Beach

Peak months: Jul, Aug.

May 2026: croaker at Sandbridge, Ocean View and other piers, mostly 5 to 7 in with 8 to 11 in fish moving through; July 2025 the main catch at the Kiptopeke pier; October 2025 at the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. (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 VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

• FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 2026 (Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle, Ocean's East Bait and Tackle) (Angler knowledge)
• FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, July 2025 (Angler knowledge)
• FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, October 2025 (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 Virginia Beach