Fish guide
Sea Robins (non-target)
Northern sea robin (Prionotus carolinus) and striped sea robin (Prionotus evolans). Also called Searobin, Robin.
Very common summer bycatch on fluke and porgy baits. Listed so you can identify it. Not a target.
Showing the fish for Long Island, NY.
Season in Long Island
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Bigelow and Schroeder: much of the northern sea robin population comes inshore in May or June for the summer and leaves the coast in October; far more plentiful along southern New England. OTW: sea robins on Captree boats in May 2022, 'a ton' in August 2022, in good numbers in August 2020, at Northport in July 2026. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Cape Cod | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Rhode Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Connecticut | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Sandy and hard bottom in the bays, inlets and ocean reefs in summer, wherever you fish for fluke.
Bottom.
Handling
- Sharp spines on the cheeks, head and shoulders
- Spiny dorsal fin
Grip from behind the head with a towel, avoiding the cheek and shoulder spines; unhook with pliers.
Keep or release
Usually released. A Northport shop suggests a sea robin strip on a fluke jig as bait (OTW, August 13, 2020).
Typical: About a foot. Large: 15 to 16 in. NY striped sea robin record 3.70 lb (2025).
New York (marine waters) limits
No state limit entry.
Last checked 2026-10-17. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. New York State DEC fishing regulations.
Sources
- Bigelow and Schroeder, Fishes of the Gulf of Maine (online text): northern sea robin (Official source)
- On The Water: Long Island Fishing Report, May 5, 2022 (Angler knowledge)
- On The Water: Long Island Fishing Report, August 4, 2022 (Angler knowledge)
- On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)
- On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, July 23, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
- NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)