UTERAtlantic croaker fishing in Wilmington & Crystal Coast
In Wilmington & Crystal Coast, Atlantic croaker peak May–September and are around April–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Croaker in the Cape Fear River and the inlets.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Atlantic croaker in Wilmington & Crystal Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JunePeak
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeakCroaker in the Cape Fear River and the inlets.
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish Atlantic croaker near Calabash, Southport, Wilmington
South-facing beaches between Cape Fear and Cape Lookout, the Cape Fear River, marsh creeks and ICW behind Masonboro, Topsail and Bogue banks, Core Sound and Harkers Island — with the Cape Lookout and Frying Pan shoals, hundreds of nearshore wrecks and ARs, and the Big Rock and the Gulf Stream 30–50 miles out.
What to use for Atlantic croaker
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- BloodwormsA piece threaded on a #2 to 2/0 hook on a hi-lo or fish-finder rig — the striper, spot, croaker and white perch bait of the Chesapeake and the surf.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 58–86°F water, best at 66–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Atlantic croaker in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Peak season is May–September. Atlantic croaker are in Wilmington & Crystal Coast April–October. August: Croaker in the Cape Fear River and the inlets.
Where do Atlantic croaker hold in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Look on channel edge, bridge, dock / pilings, pass / inlet — around Calabash, Southport, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Topsail, Swansboro.
What is the best bait for Atlantic croaker in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Live bait: live shrimp, bloodworms. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for Atlantic croaker in Wilmington & Crystal Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and change — read the current rule at https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/rules-proclamations-and-size-and-bag-limits before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores Atlantic croaker for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about Atlantic croaker · The Southern Outer Banks & Cape Fear, the whole year