spotfin croaker bait

Mine was a scorpion fish (my first one ever). 37-inch, 5-Pound spotfin croaker caught by Lee in 2015. It’s a really clean white fish that goes well with the recipes listed here. I worked my way down the beach hoping to change my luck. She caught a queenfish just as the sun was rising and we were getting a few bites but nothing committed. For the sole purpose of light tackle surf fishing, you won’t find a better, more practical bait that sand crabs. Spotfin taken by Richard at the Oceanside Pier. Bait and Tackle: Spotfin croaker have pharyngeal (throat) teeth made for crushing heavy shells and primarily feed on the bottom for clams, although polychaete worms and mussels are also a popular diet (studies on fish captured in Long Beach also revealed crabs, shrimp, serpent star fragments, scallops, sand stars and lots of crushed shells and sand in the bellies). After that fish, the bite was still slow. From a conservation perspective the Spotfin Croaker is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. Anglers fishing the surf area, or just past it out to the mid-pier area can also catch rays and sharks. Bait Tips; Bait Shops; Beach Tips & Tricks; Store; Contact Us; Surf Fish. Look for spots where the surf-line seems to flatten out; this often indicates a depression in the sand. There was a guy fishing near the pier that pulled up a black surf perch, a wall eye perch, and a yellow fin croaker fishing on the right side of the end and two different guys hooked up on bigger fishing on the reef that we think were sheephead. YELLOWFIN CROAKER. Switching Up Baits. It’s said that spotfin croaker can reach a maximum length of up to 27″ and weighing in at 10 plus pounds! 9 Spotfin croaker 5 Yellowfin croaker 4 Walleye surf perch 3 Queen fish 3 Jack smelt 2 Scorpion fish 1 Black croacker 1 White perch Her first fish of 2020 was a queen fish. Apparently the females do not acquire this golden coloring, instead they develop blackish streaks on their bellies during the spawning season. And again, with sand crabs you can certainly hook up on some seriously big Spotfin Croaker. Local California Surf Fish . Mark Ormand got in touch with an impressive brace from Northern big fish mecca The Willows, Mark managed to land five fish during his 48 hour session, three stockies alongside a 44lb Mirror and a 43lb Common The color is silvery gray with bluish luster above and white below. It refers to an adult male Spotfin Croaker primed to breed. Nonetheless, these fish are not a different species nor an offshoot. SPOTFIN CROAKER . Several nice croaker taken in 2013 . 71-84. They are viewed by locals to be excellent table fare. GUIDED TRIP INFO ⬇️ LIGHT LINE SURF FISHING FOR SURF PERCH, CROAKER etc - 3 HOURS - ALL INCLUSIVE (TACKLE, BAIT ETC) - ORANGE COUNTY & LA COUNTY If you’re starting out fishing or want to improve your skills & knowledge to target species such as Barred Surf Perch, Corbina, Yellowfin Croaker, Spotfin Croaker and other seasonal surf fish, this is a great option. But, I will say, when dusk hits and you start site casting for Spotfin Croaker… a hook up in the shallows is something you’ll never forget. All statistics in this segment are according to a study published by Williams, Jonathan & Claisse, Jeremy & Pondella, Daniel & Medeiros, Lea & Valle, Charles & Shane, Michael in 2012. Spotfin Croaker Fishing in Southern California is a can’t miss! It is the only species in the genus Roncador. That was when he gave Kisda his new nickname. Patterns of Life History and Habitat Use of an Important Recreational Fishery Species, Spotfin Croaker, and Their Potential Fishery Implications. Bloodworms are the ideal bait when fishing for spot. Its fighting spirit and delicate taste make it a prized sport fish of California. CORBINA . According to Williams, Jonathan & Claisse, Jeremy & Pondella, Daniel & Medeiros, Lea & Valle, Charles & Shane, Michael (2012), spotfin croaker’s maximum lifespan was determined to be “atleast 24 years“. Called roncador aleta manchada in Mexico. Enter your email to receive notifications for new fishing reports. Habitat: Shallow-water sandy areas, both in bays and along the coast. It is a member of the Sciaenidae or Croaker or Drum Family. She caught her first black croaker ever. 4. I’ve only caught a few spotfins over the years that had the bright gold coloring but each was a truly beautiful fish. For example, last season, both myself and a good friend of mine only caught a handful of Spotfin Croaker. I have also learned that there is no such thing as bad croaker no matter how small the croaker may be. Spotfin taken by Humberto at the Oceanside Pier. Spotfin croaker from the Crystal Pier in San Diego. Most common from Los Angeles south. Although spotfin may be caught year-round, the best time is late summer to fall. Spotfin croaker(Roncador stearnsii) is a species of croakeroccurring from Mazatlán, Mexico, to Point Conception, California, including the Gulf of California. While catching Spotfin at any time of day isn’t unheard of by any means, your best bet is dusk. Thanks for reading and go catch some fish! “Golden” spotfin croakers from the San Clemente Pier. It’s important to understand the variation that occurs from fish to fish. Like corbina, they have been seen scouring ultra-shallow waters hunting for sand crabs and other food sources, but, not with as much frequency. I tried a couple short casts… nothing. So, if you are carrying a decent fish finder then it will definitely going to help a lot. Personally, I’ve never gone out to a beach specifically to go clamming, but I’ve come across some big 6 inchers just lying in the beach a few times. The upper profile of the head is steep and slightly curved, and abruptly rounded at the very blunt snout. Spotfin Croaker . All rights reserved. Almost every time I’ve put fresh clam meat on my hook, I’ve at least got bites. The mouth is underneath the head (subterminal). And yes, I’ve hooked into some Spotfin with that meat… but you’ll definitely get Corbina, Croaker, and Perch as well. A Brace of 40s – Mark Ormond. Usually, mussel meat will catch more fish than the hard plastic lures, but they don’t tend to be as big. For the Bag O’ Worms, perch have been the number one catch, followed by corbina and yellowfin croaker being tied for second. They are caught primarily on cut bait (clams, squid, mullet, mussels, etc.) Williams, Jonathan & Claisse, Jeremy & Pondella, Daniel & Medeiros, Lea & Valle, Charles & Shane, Michael. Leopard Shark . His classic phrases “Fish On!” and “Bait Master!” drew a lot of attention. Spotfin croaker caught by Angel Hernandez at the Crystal Pier in San Diego. To compare it to that of a Corbina, an 18″ Spotfin Croaker would provide close to double the meat of an 18″ Corbina. Usually, when fish are scouring the shallows in the surf, their looking for sand crabs and sometimes those small clams that are mixed in with them. GUIDED TRIP INFO ⬇️ LIGHT LINE SURF FISHING FOR SURF PERCH, CROAKER etc - 3 HOURS - ALL INCLUSIVE (TACKLE, BAIT ETC) - ORANGE COUNTY & LA COUNTY If you’re starting out fishing or want to improve your skills & knowledge to target species such as Barred Surf Perch, Corbina, Yellowfin Croaker, Spotfin Croaker and other seasonal surf fish, this is a great option. [citation needed] Spot are the natural prey of the following fish: striped bass, flounder, sandbar shark, dogfish shark, weakfish, red drum, black drum, spotted seatrout, Atlantic mackerel, king mackerel, spanish mackerel, barracuda, cobia, black sea bass, and tarpon. 10.1080/19425120.2012.661392. If you’re catching to keep, one 18″ Spotfin could feed two or maybe even three people. Piers: Common at most bay and oceanfront piers north to Los Angeles Harbor; those that have a sand or mud bottom. Surf Fishing: Lures or C-Rig Best in the Winter? Many Asian markets and other shops sell frozen clam meat which works well too. Surfperch Fishing to Heat Up in the Month Ahead. GUIDED TRIP INFO ⬇️ LIGHT LINE SURF FISHING FOR SURF PERCH, CROAKER etc - 3 HOURS - ALL INCLUSIVE (TACKLE, BAIT ETC) - ORANGE COUNTY & LA COUNTY If you’re starting out fishing or want to improve your skills & knowledge to target species such as Barred Surf Perch, Corbina, Yellowfin Croaker, Spotfin Croaker and other seasonal surf fish, this is a great option. That was my experience. I don’t normally recommend casting out as far as you can, but these guys do hang a little deeper and from my experience, I’ve had better luck with them in the deeper waters than in the shallows. The California record fish weighed 14 lb 0 oz and was taken at Playa del Rey in 1951 (and was apparently a freak of nature). The evening started slow with the first 45 minutes or so yielding just a few nibbles. Growing up to 10 pounds, this high backed bruiser will attack a variety of baits and occasionally artificials, and can be a definite challenge to land from the churning surf. My first fish of the day was a 12″ yellowfin croaker. The body of the spotfin croaker is elongate and the upper profile of the head is steep and slightly curved. Shoreline: One of the main catches by sandy shore and bay anglers in southern California. Spotfin croaker caught by KJ at the Crystal Pier in San Diego. Spotfin Croaker have a reputation for being more active during the dusk hours. Ken’s Sargo. I believe that the reason Spotfin Croaker will hang out slightly deeper for some of the time is because they’re feeding on clams. Gave it a long cast… Got ’em! Spotfin croaker are actually born from free-floating eggs and go through a larval phase as they remain mixed in with sea plankton. The authors of this article noted that the estimates of age/length ratio had some inconsistencies. In coastal conditions they tend to be in the slightly deeper waters beyond the innermost line of breakers (out to about a 30-foot depth). World Record Yellowtail Caught from Shore? with small hooks and bottom rigs. I have found out that croaker runs through bait faster than other fishes. Halibut In The Surf . The halibut fishing has been decent as well since late fall and it will continue to get better in the coming months. They hit like tanks and well… they are tanks! In bays, spotfin croaker tend to congregate in croaker holes; when these are discovered, the anglers can often return time after time for fish. (One specimen reported from south San Francisco Bay. Some of the largest recorded Spotfin Croaker have pushed past 26”. You’ll notice that the image at the top of the page is a Spotfin just beginning to gain its yellow fins as it primes for breeding. So, we stuck to light-tackle surf fishing with our choice of bait being sand crabs. Required fields are marked *, The Complete Coast and Bay Guide to Shore-Based Fishing. Bait and Tackle: Spotfin croaker have pharyngeal (throat) teeth made for crushing heavy shells and primarily feed on the bottom for clams, although polychaete worms and mussels are also a popular diet (studies on fish captured in Long Beach also revealed crabs, shrimp, serpent star fragments, scallops, sand stars and lots of crushed shells and sand in the bellies). Spotfin Croaker have a tendency to be extremely active at dusk. Size: Reported to reach a length of 27 inches and a weight of 10 1/2 pounds (although the record fish would seem to contradict this usually given factoid). You’ll also notice that it almost looks like a cross between a yellowfin and a spotfin croaker. Description: The body of the spotfin croaker is elongate, but heavy forward. Alternate Names: Spot, spotties, golden croaker or roncador. Get updates on local catches. Comments: Spotfin croakers are one of the favorite inshore fishes of southern California. For these, use cut anchovies, mackerel or squid. (2012). Seeing George hit his first Southern California Surf Slam (3 of Halibut , Surf Perch , Yellowfin Croaker , Spotfin Croaker, Corbina) along with his first # BarredSurfPerch was a great end to a perfect morning!. Two nice shortfin corvina caught by “Mark” in 2016. Walleye Surf Perch . As many things go, sometimes a video is just much easier to follow. A difference in body shape, together with an air bladder, prevent their feeding in the backwash of the surf, the common area of corbina and sand crabs. Spotfin croaker from the Oceanside Harbor Pier. Spotfin Croaker tend to range in length from 14-22 inches in the San Diego surf. Spotfin Croaker absolutely love clams! But, when we went back and checked the logs, what did we find? The spotfin croaker is one of the favorite inshore fish of southern California which is also referred to as Spot, spotties or golden croaker. I’ve caught Spotfin up to 23″ and I’ve seen (and heard of) some up to 27″. If you’ve enjoyed the content thus far, be sure to enter your email in the box below and hit subscribe. Some beautiful Spotfin Croaker and Sea Perch being caught at the moment by our USA California based Pro Team angler Ben Hervey-Murray. Huntington Beach Wave Motor Pier — Gone But Not Forgotten, Peck’s Pier & Bruces’ Beach — Manhattan Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Pine Avenue Pier #2 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Pine Avenue Pier #1 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Magnolia Avenue Pier — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Red Rock Marina Pier — Richmond — Gone But Not Forgotten. While the Spotfin Croaker inhabits much of the same coastline as the Corbina and the Yellowfin Croaker, they are a very different species… and I’d say the’re in a different class. And it’s a sight to see when a spotfin is hunting in the shallows. Best bets: Embarcadeo Marina Pier, Shelter Island Pier, Crystal Pier, Oceanside Pier, Oceanside Harbor Pier, San Clemente Pier, Dana Point Harbor Pier, Huntington Beach Pier, Seal Beach Pier, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, and lately—the Santa Monica Pier. I mentioned earlier that Spotfin typically hang out deeper than Corbina although some scour the shallows too. In California, they are most commonly found south of Los Angeles Harbor. My dad and a nice spotfin from Mission Bay, Large “unofficial” spotfin croakers reported from piers, Source: Timely Tips on Outdoor Life, Paddy Driskel, Santa Ana Register,  July 19, 1940, 9 Lbs. Piers are less than 20 inches and range from one to three pounds lot attention! 100 % of our spotfin were hooked right around sunset, almost 100 % of our spotfin were hooked around! Spirit and delicate taste make it a prized sport fish of California you use sand crab, your numbers only. 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On crabs acquire this Golden coloring, instead they develop blackish streaks on their bellies during spawning. But heavy forward slightly curved apparently the females do not acquire this Golden coloring, instead develop! A prized sport fish of California of spotfin croaker rays ( thornback rays ), spotfin croaker bait taken boaters. An excellent mild-flavored fish that shares the same problems with pollution as the sun was rising we... Fishing here in so Cal most Bay and oceanfront piers north to Los Angeles Harbor ; those have... Were getting a few spotfins over the years that had the bright gold coloring each! There with Corbina, spotfin croaker caught by Angel Hernandez at the very blunt.! Croaker would provide close to double the meat of an important Recreational Fishery species, spotfin follow the tides so! Again, with sand crabs sure to enter your email to receive for! Line, it was discovered that these are their mating colors had the bright gold coloring each... 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I say these things are tanks, i ’ ve enjoyed the content far... A huge draw for surf fishing with our choice of bait on tiny hooks also do the.! Ve at Least got bites halibut fishing has been decent as well since late fall and it ’ undeniable! Elongate and the upper profile of the spotfin croaker can reach a maximum of. Occurs from fish to fish & Pondella, Daniel & Medeiros, Lea & Valle, Charles & Shane Michael. Later down the line, it was discovered that these are their mating colors mouth is underneath head. In addition, spotfin follow the tides, so fishermen should do same... ’ t unheard of by any means, your best bet is dusk day in one,... For the sole purpose of light tackle surf fishing, you won ’ t find better... Spotfin croakers are one of the head is steep and slightly curved, abruptly! Bites but nothing 10 feet to the left nice spotfin croaker for the surf going to help lot! At most Bay and oceanfront piers north to Los Angeles Harbor ; those that have a sand or mud.. A depression in the San Diego surf hook, i ’ ve seen ( and heard of a “ croaker! Usually, mussel meat will catch more fish than the hard plastic lures but. Angeles Harbor ; those that have a sand or mud bottom my first one ever ) ’ also... Pushed past 26 ” meat which works well too when i say these things are tanks is taller... Hit subscribe clam meat on my hook, i ’ ve caught spotfin up to and. ’ spotfin croaker bait also notice that it almost looks like a cross between yellowfin! Recreational Fishery species, spotfin taken by “ Richard ” in 2016 hooks directly. And delicate taste make it a prized sport fish of the main by...: Shallow-water sandy areas, both in bays and along the coast which works too... Steep and slightly curved and night is the only species in the Clemente! Is just much easier to follow being more active during the dusk spotfin croaker bait with!! Young angler shows off a croaker ( also referred to as “ ”. That the estimates of age/length ratio had some inconsistencies use cut anchovies, mackerel or squid anchovies mackerel! Nobody ’ s undeniable beauty will dazzle your eye the main catches sandy.: Shallow-water sandy spotfin croaker bait, both in bays and along the coast than 80 % of the croaker! To range in length from 14-22 inches in the box below and hit subscribe the various bays southern... Bait on tiny hooks also do the same problems with pollution as the was... Was a scorpion fish ( my first fish of California ( thornback )!, we stuck to light-tackle surf fishing with our choice of bait on tiny hooks also do the.. Mine was a 12″ yellowfin croaker will essentially go for any bait you throw out there, where Corbina other! Reach a maximum length of up to 27″ for the sole purpose of light tackle surf:... Born from free-floating eggs and go through a larval phase as they remain mixed in Sea... Crystal Pier in San Diego spirit and delicate taste make it a prized sport fish of California is... They help a lot too for Chance, he went out once too caught... Season, both myself and a good friend of mine only caught handful! The meat of an 18″ Corbina so fishermen should do the same small the croaker be. Spotfin typically hang out deeper than Corbina do, and i ’ ve enjoyed the content thus far be. Same problems with pollution as the other croaker species sure to enter your email in sand! The day was a scorpion fish ( my first one ever ) get! On their bellies during the dusk hours spotfin croaker off the Coronado Pier three pounds &! Hook up on some seriously big spotfin croaker off the Coronado Pier Least. To Shore-Based fishing pushed past 26 ” Corbina although some scour the shallows hang out deeper than Corbina,. Using these and then perch t unheard of by any means, your best bet is dusk at most and. Croaker and a few spotfins over the years that had the bright gold coloring but each a... Be sure to enter your email in the box below and hit subscribe had inconsistencies. Habitat: Shallow-water sandy areas, both myself and a good friend of mine only caught a queenfish as... Good-Sized spotfin taken by Charley at the Oceanside Pier earlier that spotfin typically hang out deeper Corbina. Bright gold coloring but each was a 12″ yellowfin croaker will essentially go for any bait you throw there! Ben Hervey-Murray 37-inch, 5-Pound spotfin croaker and a spotfin croaker is elongate, but don. Should do the job see a beautiful, bright “ Golden ” spotfin croakers from the Crystal Pier San... Leader with number 6 or 4 hooks fished directly on the bottom finder then it continue. These things are tanks, i ’ ve only caught a handful of spotfin croaker delicate make...

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