Species guide · Florida
Atlantic croaker fishing in Florida
Micropogonias undulatus, an inshore species also called croaker, hardhead and pinhead. Listed for the Eastern Gulf and South Atlantic regions. Peak season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM at 79, one of 17 Florida bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Eastern Gulf
Peak season, about 1 more week- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.
Research notes, Eastern Gulf region
Pattern similar to the western Gulf in Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay and Panhandle bays. Values here are extrapolated from the western Gulf and Atlantic pattern and are low confidence.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
South Atlantic
Peak season, about 6 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Peak season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Aug to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.
Research notes, South Atlantic region
NCDMF says anglers catch croaker from spring through fall; larger fish show on piers and in inlets as they head offshore to spawn, which peaks in October. Present in South Carolina and Georgia estuaries most of the year.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 17
Florida bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic croaker score this hour.
Best window today 6-8 PM (81) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 PM (82) · 22 named spots
Best window today 6-10 PM (82) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 PM (84) · 4 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (81) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (83) · 131 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (80) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (82) · 20 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (76) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 PM (82) · 21 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (76) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 PM (79) · 88 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (75) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (79) · 92 named spots
Best window today 6-10 PM (78) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (80) · 81 named spots
Best window today 5-7 PM (73) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (78) · 13 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (75) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (79) · 126 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (76) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (79) · 24 named spots
Best window today 6-11 PM (75) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (79) · 49 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (74) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (79) · 195 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (76) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (79) · 23 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (75) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 6 AM (79) · 79 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (71) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (78) · 39 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (75) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (80) · 46 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 55°F to 90°F, best between 65°F and 82°F.
- Water depth
- 2 to 40 ft of water.
- Structure
- Channel, oyster, pier, bridge, bay, estuary, surf and inlet, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers high tide and moving water, with light current.NCDMF says croaker fishing is best just before or just after high tide in channels or deep holes.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Croaker feed on mud and sand bottom along channel edges, oyster bars, piers and deeper holes in bays and sounds, mostly in 5 to 30 feet of water. A two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and shrimp, bloodworm or squid catches them from piers, the surf and small boats. Fish the hours around high tide and into the evening.
- Methods
- bottom fishing
- Lures
- small jig heads tipped with bait, scented synthetic bait strips
- Bait
- shrimp, bloodworms, squid, clams, peeler crab
Regulations
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Synced with FWC Sep 18, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
Season: No closed season on file
100 pounds per person per day. No minimum size. Open year-round.
FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026
50 per day
Season: No closed season on file
50 per person per species. No minimum size. Open year-round.
FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026
Season: No closed season on file
100 pounds per person per day. FWC applies the Gulf limit to all of Monroe County. No minimum size.
FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026
Other Florida species
- Atlantic tarpon
- Common snook
- Crevalle jack
- Gray snapper
- King mackerel
- Red drum
- Southern flounder
- Spot
- Spotted seatrout
- Summer flounder
- Black drum
- Black sea bass
- Bonefish
- Cobia
- Florida pompano
- Gag grouper
- Gray triggerfish
- Greater amberjack
- Little tunny
- Mahi-mahi
- Permit
- Red grouper
- Red snapper
- Sailfish
- Sheepshead
- Spanish mackerel
- Wahoo
- Weakfish
- Yellowfin tuna
- Bluefish
- Striped bass