The Chesapeake Bay is, with little argument, the greatest fishery for Atlantic Croaker in the world. The current world record, a mammoth 8 lb, 11 oz croaker, was caught in Virginia. With the current health of this fish stock and the excellent culinary properties of this fish, it is no wonder people literally take home buckets full of croaker. While bottom fishing has been the accepted way to fish for croaker forever, there are much more exciting ways to explore this fishery. Tossing heavy lead sinkers takes away the exhilaration of battle. While efficient, there is little excitement in sitting waiting for the rod tip to bounce.
Light tackle fishing has taken the saltwater world by storm. It consists of targeting game fish in shallow water applying standard bass fishing techniques. While croaker have been largely overlooked, these tactics work wonderfully on this species.
Croaker are bottom feeders, so to consistently catch them, you want to make sure your lure is on or near the bottom. These fish are not selective, they feed largely on crustaceans and squid, but they are just as eager to eat minnows that cross their path. I like to look at my lure selection as what I’d use for puppy drum scaled down. Natural colors with gold and bronze flash can work well some days, some days chartreuse and white will rule. A handful of curly tailed grubs on jigheads can produce countless fun-filled hours of croaker fishing. Likewise, small crankbaits work very well. I personally like the smaller Cotton Cordell lures one would use for crappie or selective bass. While I rinse off any freshwater tackle I use in salt, I still like using inexpensive lures for the wear that will undoubtedly come from the salt.
The interest croaker show to your lures does not always translate to the fish taking the lure. To increase to amount you hook up, I recommend using lure scent. Squid, bloodworm, shrimp, and crab all work very well. Or, if you prefer, tipping your lures with bait or Fishbites will insure success.
When you first go out targeting croaker with these techniques, go to the waters you are familiar with. Beforehand, however, look at a map and see where creeks are feeding in. Check online or pick up a tide chart from the store and look for an outgoing tide to fit your fishing schedule. The tide coming out of these creeks pulls out shrimp, crabs, and minnows all of which the croaker take advantage of. The shallow flats at these creek mouths are loaded with fish at this time and they are eager to take well placed lures (and flies).
As glamorous as bay boats and fishing deepwater structure remain, I look forward each year to dropping in my jon boat at the ramp and wearing out the shallow water croaker. I hope to see more people taking advantage of this wonderful fishery.
-Tyler
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