5 Simple Tips on How to Catch Croaker

I won’t call myself the perfect angler despite my countless attempts at seeking recognition as one. It’s possibly the reason why I am constantly pushing my fishing skills as far as I can go.

​Hopefully, this guide should be able to show you how to catch croaker through some of the best croaker-specific fishing tips I could find. The two most common species of croaker are the Atlantic croaker and the Virginia croaker.

Follow me as I guide you through the process of catching croaker.

Tip 1: Setting Up Your Rig

I like many experienced croaker anglers like rocky bottoms because croakers get attracted to rocky bottoms with the mild swift moving current. So I follow them there.

However, in case you are thinking in that direction, you can always go back to the store to have your hook and sinker replaced because there is going to be some tackle.

There is always going to be that one time you dropped your hook and sinker into a pile of rocks giving away a little piece of your tackle.

Tip 2: Find The Perfect Rod and Reel

My rod basically is what I was advised by my angling buddy. It is a 7 foot long Shakespeare Ugly Stik bait cast rod. (1)

I also accompany it with a Shakespeare bait cast reel or spinning reel SKP 4000A and SS 3835 respectively.

So any hook bigger than that would not work. Any rod and reel between the light to medium range constituting a 1/0 hook and with just enough sinker should be sufficient.

Tip 3: The Terminal Tackle

You need sinkers ranging that do not weigh a lot more than an ounce. Always remember that croakers are bottom feeders. As such any bait that goes up as much as a few feet would be a complete waste of time and effort.

I had previously read online that the best hook for croaker was the Daichi Circle Wide in 1/0 size and as such decided to put it to use. (2)

It works perfectly! Using a polymer knot , tie a small barrel to your line. Then tie a 3ft, 20-pound piece of microfilament leader on the barrel swivel.

From the base of that microfilament leader, tie a loop knot. Then about 6 inches higher, have another loop knot tied that would stretch out for about 4 - 6 inches of the microfilament leader.

Repeat this process about 6 - 8 inches higher. Should you have done this properly, you should have two additional loop knots that are between 6 - 8 inches apart from each other and are about 6 inches above the sinker.

Next, tie the loop knots with the tag end of the line and passing it through twice through the loop and pulling it tight. Then slip in the lead sinker and hoop (Daichi hoop, if you got one) right through each of the loops you had knotted earlier.

Once you have done this, you are more than ready to move on to the next stage of choosing your bait.

Tip 4: Choose Your Bait

If you know absolutely nothing about fishing, then this introduction is for you. Bloodworms are invertebrate that can be found on mud flats, shellfish beds, marshes and other saltwater habitats.

As an angler I find the bloodworm to be an excellent choice for baiting fish like croaker. The reason is that croaker loves blood and is easily attracted to it.

The problem I usually had was that no matter how much I bled the croaker, could not get the fish as easily as I wanted to. So I discovered the perfect way to put bloodworm bait together.

The first part is to rig a bloodworm. A bloodworm has two sides; a head and a butt. Now use a 4-0 Baitholder hook with barbs and thread the worm around it. It is important you use a very fine wire because baits are often prone to bursting.

The bleeding bloodworm should attract the croaker with ease. I learned that by holding the rod, I could feel every gentle movement in the water.

Tip 5: Precautions And Tips When Catching Croaker

Now there are a few lessons I have learned fishing for croaker that I would like to pass on. I would rather you learn from me than the hard way.

The cool weather helps me relax and enjoy my angling expedition.

Not unless you want to end the day with chopped fingers. I must emphasize on carrying enough hook and sinkers as well as bait. I have found out that croaker runs through bait faster than other fishes.

I also found that Fish Finders are quite useful in such scenarios, and they help a lot too. So, if you are carrying a decent fish finder then it will definitely going to help a lot.

Did you love reading my article? If yes, please share. You may never know who subconsciously needed this as much as you do. Feel free to pass on your comments as well. I love reading from you.