Fish guide
Northern Puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus. Also called Blowfish, Blow toad, Sea squab.
Showing the fish for Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay mouth, VA.
Season in Virginia Beach
Chesapeake Bay Program: lower to middle Bay from spring through autumn, deep offshore water in winter. (Our inference)
Season by region
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Back bays and the lower Bay on flats and channel edges in the warm months; sometimes in the surf in fall.
On the bottom in bays, on flats and along channel edges.
What to look for
A club-shaped yellow, brown or olive fish covered in small prickles, with dark splotchy bars on its sides; it swells into a ball when handled.
Bait
Squid pieces, Clam, Bloodworm, Peeler crab. Bottom rig with small hooks.
Leader
Light bottom rig with small hooks.
Common mistakes
- Hooks too big for the tiny mouth
Landing
Swing it up; it is small.
Handling
- Prickly skin
- Strong beak-like mouth
Hold it behind the head and unhook with pliers. An inflated puffer released at the surface floats upside down for a moment, then deflates and swims off.
Keep or release
The Chesapeake Bay Program notes the northern puffer is not poisonous, unlike some other puffers, and is sold as sea squab. Be sure of the species before keeping one; other puffers in the region (DNREC also lists the smooth puffer) are not covered by that note. Check state rules.
Typical: 8 to 10 in. Large: unknown.
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
- Chesapeake Bay Program field guide: northern puffer (Official source)
- DNREC Delaware Fish and Shellfish Facts: Northern Puffer (Official source)
Is northern puffer worth it today?
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