Croaker are a popular southern saltwater panfish named for the distinctive, colorful sound they make.
Croaker are closely related to red drum, speckled trout and spot, and are called Atlantic croaker due to their traditionally strong populations from Maryland down through Florida's east coast. In some places they are known as golden croaker because their fins are golden yellow in the fall during the spawn.
Croaker are among the simplest saltwater species to catch in terms of fishing methods. They are a bottom-feeding panfish that trolls the sea floor gobbling up small shellfish, sea worms, and other tiny organisms. Therefore, the most reliable way to catch them is a standard two-hook high-low rig anchored to the bottom with a few ounces of lead.
Recent decades have seen a definite size trend in croaker along most of their range. Croaker in the Carolinas and Georgia have become smaller and less numerous, while Virginia croaker fishing has featured larger and more numerous fish. Many formerly strong fishing areas along the southern part of their range see only a trace of a once thriving croaker fishery, while many folks now travel to Virginia to catch large croaker.
Ben Hoggard of Wake Forest, NC has been fishing for croaker ever since his father got him hooked many years ago. He likes to get in on the strong croaker fishing Virginia has to offer.
"Mainly we concentrate in the James River area," Hoggard says. "Primarily from about a miles east of the James River Bridge to the mouth of the river in the Chesapeake Bay."
Hoggard says croaker fishing is simple and fun.
"They always seemed to bite better on an outgoing tide," he says. "but it's not uncommon to have a steady bite for most of the day. They like muddy or sandy bottom, and I find them in deeper waters during the day and closer to shore during the evening hours."
Hook sizes and bait should be small, as croaker will hit and grab large bait on large hooks and you will hook many more with just enough bait to cover the hook. Hook sizes 6 or 4 are fine in most circumstances.
Among the best baits for croaker are fresh cut shrimp. Fresh shrimp that can be bought from a seafood market or roadside stand is much better than frozen 'bait' shrimp which can be purchased at most piers, tackle shops, or marinas. Fresh shrimp draws more strikes than previously frozen shrimp and holds up on the hook better against smaller croaker and pesky bait-stealing fish.
Other good croaker baits include squid, clams, bloodworms, and earthworms. Hoggard really likes using squid.
"I only use cut squid," he says. "I have used shrimp, and bloodworms before they became so expensive, but the squid is unbeatable in my book."
Croaker, unlike their cousin the spot, will also hit cut fish, especially if it is from a fresh caught or netted fish. Cut bait from a striped mullet, bluefish, or most any other fresh caught fish will work if you don't have any other bait or run out.
Very large croaker will hit live minnows like finger mullet or mud minnows, often when they are being fished for other species like flounder. They will also strike live shrimp meant for speckled or gray trout.
Croaker can also be caught on the Fishbites synthetic cut baits, especially in the bloodworm, shrimp and clam flavors. Fishbites and similar synthetic baits are very cost effective when fishing for croaker because one bait will remain on the hook for many fish. Fishbites are most effective when used during nice runs of croaker as opposed to days when the fishing is slow.
To buy Fishbites bloodowrm baits for croaker and other saltwater fish check out the Surf and Salt Tackle Store.
Croaker strike hard for their size and put up a decent fight.
"Ten to twelve inches is probably your average size croaker," Hoggard says about the Virginia fishery, "but when the bite is strong you can easily catch those three to four pounders consistently."
It is important to take care when cleaning croakers as the fish has a sharp gill plate that can cut ungloved hands. Small croaker are cleaned whole with just the head and guts removed, while larger ones may be (but are not always) filleted.
Croaker are not everyone's favorite fish for the table, although some people have a definite taste for them.
"They are not bad table fair," says Hoggard. "Normally I call a few family and friends up after a croaker trip and have a cook out."
Smaller ones are almost always deep fried after being floured or rolled in corn meal, while larger ones can be used in a variety of recipes.
Hoggard gives his favorite recipe:
"Cut fillets into serving size pieces. Cook some onions and garlic in butter until tender, add a little lemon juice. Combine bread crumbs and a dash of salt in a bowl. Dip fish in butter mixture and roll in crumbs. Arrange fish in well-greased baking pan. Drizzle remaining lemon butter over fish. Bake in 350 oven for 25 minutes."
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