A highly prized coastal table fish featuring a compressed silver oval body, short snout, and yellow-tinged fins. Forages in surf foam for mole crabs (sand fleas) and coquina clams.
Season
July – October
Where
Ocean City Surf Beaches, Assateague Island, Delaware Seashore State Park
Salinity band
Coastal & Ocean Marine (25 - 35 ppt)
Status
Native Atlantic Coastal Species
Record
MD Record: 6 lbs 8 oz
How we fish for them
Cast 2-hook high-low surf bottom rigs baited with fresh peeled shrimp or live sand fleas anchored with 3oz pyramid sinkers.
Rod: 7'0" medium spinning rod Reel: 3000-size reel • 15lb Braid + 20lb FC
Gear for this in the catalog →Handle with care
Safe release: Wet hands or rubber net before handling to preserve protective slime layer.
Seasons & limits are the law's, not ours
Size, season and creel rules change; always verify with the official regulations before you fish. Maryland DNR regulations →
Profile last reviewed: August 2026