Family Sciaenidae, Drums
Micropogon undulatus

Description: inferior mouth; 3 to 5 pairs of small barbels on chin; silver-gray or bronze body with dark oblique wavy bars or lines; iridescent especially on head; preopercle strongly serrated.

Similar Fish: spot, Leiostomus xanthurus (has no chin barbels and has a dark blotch on shoulder).

Where found: One of the most common inshore fishes; young fish found in estuaries; older fish (2 to 3 years) inhabit deep offshore waters during the winter months and move inshore during the spring, summer and fall.

Size: Normally less than two pounds.

Note: during spawning becomes bronze or yellow in color; spawning apparently occurs offshore in fall; longevity 2 to 4 years.

Fishing Hint: Croaker feed on a wide variety of bottom dwelling marine creatures such as marine worms, shrimp, small fish, small crabs, and other small crustaceans. The best bait for Croakers is dead shrimp fished on the bottom. I think of this fish as trash or bait, so only catch it as an unavoidable by-product of fishing for white trout or speckled trout.