Croaker?

thatstodd2 · 05-11-2007, 02:52 PM

Heading down to my sister's near Deltaville, VA in a couple of weeks for the 1st time.

Her husband is taking us out on his boat and we said the Croaker are biting good.

Never heard of a croaker, and am wondering what setup/tackle I will need for them. From the little info I could find on the net they seem to be similar to porgy/scup in there size and habits so I plan on bringing a light fluke rod/reel and some porgy rigs.

Any info on catching these things and any advise on fishing the lower/middle Chesapeake bay area would be appreciated.

Thanks
Todd

captcl · 05-13-2007, 01:26 PM

Stadard bottom rig with bloodworms or squid. A friend of mine who has a place on the Va, Eastern shore says they are catching them up! Good size too!

ChuckA · 05-14-2007, 05:59 AM

Todd here's a link for them .
http://indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/drumatla.html

thatstodd2 · 05-15-2007, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the info.

I will bring some porgy rigs and bloodworm flavored Fishbites along for my trip.

Todd

Captain Hook · 05-15-2007, 04:43 PM

when they come to nj in the fall croaker fishing is one of my favorites.

Artificial All The Way · 05-17-2007, 10:35 AM

Many down there won’t even eat Croakers. Garbage fish to them. I had some a few years ago and now don’t just use them for crab bait anymore. Just filet and skin them along with the rest of the catch. Old Bay is a must. Add that to some flour and enough beer to make a batter. Drop in oil and eat. Along side some sweet potatoes fries and Blue Crabs. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMm

We use only Squid strips. Fish Chesapeake Bay and out side the bridge near the center. Trout, Sea bass, Croakers, and many other fish all take the Squid readily. We use Fluke style rigs with 2 hooks just off the bottom. Basically we are fishing for Fluke. Everything else we catch is a plus. But the Flats are the main targets. If you’re going in the Bay try the inside shore side of the concrete boats. We found the most and largest fish were very close to the boats. Drop a crab trap up in front of them and drift back down to fish. Every run we pull up a few crabs and get back to fishing. VERY productive waters down there.

Also if you eat Sashimi like I do it makes for a very nice meal right on the boat. Don’t forget your chop sticks.

Good luck

My crew.

The ships

esquired · 05-17-2007, 01:37 PM

I invented what we now call the Croaker Killer Rig. Basically it is a heavy leader (30# is perfect) about 3' long. Attach a barrel swivel then a bead, then an egg sinker of whatever weight you need to hold bottom (mine range from 2oz. to 8 oz depending on tide, wind and depth) then another bead and then a 3/0 octopus or sickle hook. The idea is to allow the weight to slide a little so that the croaker can grab the bait or you can give a short drop back by just lowering the rod tip.

This rig really does kill the croaker and fluke, you tend to prevent the bait stealing and get a better hook up ratio. I like to tip this with a whole squid head or strip bait for jumbo croaker.

My buddy Derek like to make them fancy, but just a plain weight and hook work as well:

Artificial All The Way · 05-18-2007, 03:24 PM

Thanks. Looks good.

i'll have to give that rig a try.

05-11-2007, 02:52 PM	#1
thatstodd2 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cheshire, CT Posts: 15	Croaker? Heading down to my sister's near Deltaville, VA in a couple of weeks for the 1st time. Her husband is taking us out on his boat and we said the Croaker are biting good. Never heard of a croaker, and am wondering what setup/tackle I will need for them. From the little info I could find on the net they seem to be similar to porgy/scup in there size and habits so I plan on bringing a light fluke rod/reel and some porgy rigs. Any info on catching these things and any advise on fishing the lower/middle Chesapeake bay area would be appreciated. Thanks Todd

05-13-2007, 01:26 PM	#2
captcl NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ocean City Md. area Posts: 57	Stadard bottom rig with bloodworms or squid. A friend of mine who has a place on the Va, Eastern shore says they are catching them up! Good size too! __________________ *DILLIGAFF SPORTFISHING* Mako 22' Center console Ocean City Md. captcl@mchsi.com

05-17-2007, 10:35 AM	#6
Artificial All The Way NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CT Posts: 16	Many down there won’t even eat Croakers. Garbage fish to them. I had some a few years ago and now don’t just use them for crab bait anymore. Just filet and skin them along with the rest of the catch. Old Bay is a must. Add that to some flour and enough beer to make a batter. Drop in oil and eat. Along side some sweet potatoes fries and Blue Crabs. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMm We use only Squid strips. Fish Chesapeake Bay and out side the bridge near the center. Trout, Sea bass, Croakers, and many other fish all take the Squid readily. We use Fluke style rigs with 2 hooks just off the bottom. Basically we are fishing for Fluke. Everything else we catch is a plus. But the Flats are the main targets. If you’re going in the Bay try the inside shore side of the concrete boats. We found the most and largest fish were very close to the boats. Drop a crab trap up in front of them and drift back down to fish. Every run we pull up a few crabs and get back to fishing. VERY productive waters down there. Also if you eat Sashimi like I do it makes for a very nice meal right on the boat. Don’t forget your chop sticks. Good luck My crew. The ships __________________ I'd rather be in a boat with a drink on the rocks, than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.

05-17-2007, 01:37 PM	#7
esquired NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bucks Co., PA Posts: 129	I invented what we now call the Croaker Killer Rig. Basically it is a heavy leader (30# is perfect) about 3' long. Attach a barrel swivel then a bead, then an egg sinker of whatever weight you need to hold bottom (mine range from 2oz. to 8 oz depending on tide, wind and depth) then another bead and then a 3/0 octopus or sickle hook. The idea is to allow the weight to slide a little so that the croaker can grab the bait or you can give a short drop back by just lowering the rod tip. This rig really does kill the croaker and fluke, you tend to prevent the bait stealing and get a better hook up ratio. I like to tip this with a whole squid head or strip bait for jumbo croaker. My buddy Derek like to make them fancy, but just a plain weight and hook work as well: __________________ http://www.uchelpcenter.com/index.html

05-18-2007, 03:24 PM	#8
Artificial All The Way NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CT Posts: 16	Thanks. Looks good. i'll have to give that rig a try. __________________ I'd rather be in a boat with a drink on the rocks, than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.

05-14-2007, 05:59 AM	#3
ChuckA User Gallery Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Madison Ct Posts: 2,150	Todd here's a link for them . http://indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/drumatla.html

05-15-2007, 02:08 PM	#4
thatstodd2 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cheshire, CT Posts: 15	Thanks for the info. I will bring some porgy rigs and bloodworm flavored Fishbites along for my trip. Todd

05-15-2007, 04:43 PM	#5
Captain Hook NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8	when they come to nj in the fall croaker fishing is one of my favorites.

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