Also known as
- Squeateague US
- Yellowfin US
- Weakie US
- Gray Trout US
- Squeteague US
- Tiderunner US
Identification
A sleek US Atlantic coastal croaker built for fast pursuit of baitfish around inlet structure, channel edges, and surf zones. A schooling open-water hunter.
- Yellow-tinged pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins
- Large mouth with slightly protruding lower jaw
- Two prominent canine teeth in the upper jaw
- Notoriously delicate, soft mouth tissue that tears easily
- Soft-rayed second dorsal well separated from spiny first dorsal
Where it holds
- Estuaries
- Inshore
- Sandy Shores
Behaviour
A US Atlantic coastal schooling predator working bay channels, inlet mouths, jetties, drop-offs, and surf zones in 1-30m. Schools cooperatively drive baitfish to the surface or trap them against structure. Mixes active mid-water pursuit with structure ambush. Strong dawn, dusk, and night feeding patterns — keen low-light vision drives darkness feeding. Most intense activity on the rising tide. Peak activity 16-24°C (61-75°F) — migrates south in cold months.
Diet: Anchovies, Menhaden, Spot, Silversides, Sand Eels, Shrimp, Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
The dominant US Atlantic approach. Cast 14-21g bucktail jigs tipped with squid strips, soft plastic shads on 1/4-3/8oz jigheads, swimming plugs, and gold spoons to channel edges, jetties, bridge pilings, and inlet mouths in 2-15m. Steady to moderate retrieves with subtle pauses. Gentle hooksets — soft mouth tears with force.
Live Lining
Highly productive around channel edges, jetties, and inlet mouths in 3-15m. Free-line a live spot, small menhaden, live shrimp, or live eel on a 3/0-5/0 circle hook with minimal weight, drifting along structure on the tide. Live eels at night produce the biggest fish.
Surf Casting
A heritage US East Coast beach approach. Long-cast fishfinder rig with 60-120g sinker and squid strip, cut menhaden, or sandworm into surf gutters and around jetty rocks at inlets. Bucktails and soft plastics in the same surf zone work equally well. Night fishing on the rising tide is the high-percentage window.
Trolling
A useful search method along channel edges and bay structure in 5-25m. Pull spoons, umbrella rigs, and bucktail combinations at 3-5 knots. Umbrella rigs simulating a baitfish school excel. Once schools are located, anchor and switch to casting or live bait.
Jigging
Effective when fish hold deep or suspended in channels and around offshore structure in 10-30m. Drop diamond jigs, butterfly jigs, and bucktails to bottom or marked depth, then work with sharp vertical lifts and flutter drops. Tip jigs with squid strips for added scent.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
Productive on flats, channels, and surf zones in 1-5m. Strip 7-13cm baitfish streamers (Clousers, deceivers, sand eel patterns), shrimp flies, and small Surf Candies on 7-9wt floating or intermediate lines. Steady moderate strips. Smooth hookset with steady pressure — soft mouth tears with strip-strikes.
