Species guide · North Carolina
Atlantic croaker fishing in North Carolina
Micropogonias undulatus, an inshore species also called croaker, hardhead and pinhead. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Peak season, about 6 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Croatan and Roanoke Sounds at 80, one of 9 North Carolina 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.
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 · 9
North Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic croaker score this hour.
Best window today 6-9 AM (84) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (84) · 49 named spots
Best window today 6-10 AM (83) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (83) · 26 named spots
Best window today 4-9 PM (81) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 7 AM (83) · 7 named spots
Best window today 6-10 AM (81) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (82) · 331 named spots
Best window today 1-9 PM (81) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (81) · 1 named spot
Best window today 12-9 PM (81) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (81) · 260 named spots
Best window today 6-10 AM (79) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (79) · 21 named spots
Best window today 1-8 PM (78) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 5 PM (82) · 75 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-3 PM (78) · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 PM (79) · 134 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
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Sep 19, 2026.
No reviewed atlantic croaker rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.
Other North Carolina species
- Atlantic tarpon
- Crevalle jack
- Gray snapper
- King mackerel
- Red drum
- Southern flounder
- Spot
- Spotted seatrout
- Summer flounder
- Black drum
- Black sea bass
- Cobia
- Florida pompano
- Gag grouper
- Gray triggerfish
- Greater amberjack
- Little tunny
- Mahi-mahi
- Red grouper
- Red snapper
- Sheepshead
- Spanish mackerel
- Wahoo
- Weakfish
- Bluefish
- Sailfish
- Yellowfin tuna
- Atlantic bluefin tuna
- Striped bass