Scup

Season in North Jersey

ASMFC: scup overwinter offshore from southern NJ to Hatteras and move inshore and north as water warms in spring and summer; most often in 55 to 77 F water (Sandy Hook May to October, NCEI). Big porgies on party boats in Oct 2025, porgies offshore in Dec 2025. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Party boats on nearshore reefs and rough bottom; small fish around docks and jetties.

Schools feeding about a foot off the bottom (NY Sea Grant).

What to look for

Hard bottom, mussel beds and structure edges in the bays and Sound.

Bait

Clams, Sandworms. Hi-lo bottom rig with small baitholder hooks, sinker just heavy enough for depth and current..

Leader

NY Sea Grant: light, sturdy rod (about 5 ft) with 15 lb line and baitholder hooks.

Common mistakes

• Hooks too big for a small mouth
• Sinker too heavy to feel the quick bites
• Sorting through shorts without moving to find bigger fish

Landing

Swing it up; small fish.

Handling

• Sharp dorsal spine

Smooth the dorsal fin back before gripping.

Keep or release

Good eating. Check NJ rules.

Recipes for scup

Typical: Sand porgy about 1/2 lb, bay porgy about 1 lb. Large: Humpbacks 1.5 to over 3 lb; few grow over 6 lb. NY record 6.25 lb (1978).

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

• ASMFC: Scup (Official source)
• NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide: monthly average water temperatures, all stations (Official source)
• On The Water: Northern New Jersey Fishing Report, October 16 2025 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Northern New Jersey Fishing Report, December 11 2025 (Angler knowledge)
• NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-NE-149: EFH source document, scup (1999) (Official source)
• New York Sea Grant fish profile: Porgy (scup) (Cornell, 2001) (Official source)
• NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of North Jersey