Well, it’s started folks; the long awaited run of the “golden croaker” along the Texas Gulf Coast is beginning to fill the fish coolers. Fun to catch and really fun to eat, these little treasures from our saltwater fishery will be producing exciting family fishing adventures from now through October.
Croaker is the probably one of the most abundant food fish found in Texas bays today, and with a body shape similar to that of redfish, it is important that anglers know the differences. Croaker have small barbels on each side of its lower jaw and are silver or gray-colored as juveniles, becoming bronze colored as they mature. Croaker average less than a pound but can grow to 5 pounds. Adult Croaker are often caught in large numbers in the passes and surf in the fall during their migration from the bays to spawn in the Gulf of Mexico. During this annual run they can be caught very easily and in great numbers.
The croaker’s ability to create croaking sounds gives it its name. Akin to its much larger cousins, the redfish and black drum, the golden croaker are often mistaken for other species such as rat reds (undersized redfish) or puppy drum (undersized black drum) as these fish make grunting or drumming sounds similar to the croaker. So it’s best that you really know their differences or you may be fined by game fish officers. Croaker have no size or creel limits but redfish (21″ to 28″ slot) and black drum (15″ to 30″ slot) do, and fines for keeping undersized reds and drum can be really expensive. Case in point, years ago I witnessed a gentleman, who loaded up two 48 quart coolers with what he thought were croaker, but were really undersized reds (rat reds). The unfortunate angler had his boat and auto, as well as all of his fishing tackle, confiscated by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept; PLUS he was fined $5,000! Although the golden croaker can be caught from most Gulf passes, piers, and jetties during this time of year, one of the “hottest” fishing areas is “Fish Pass” or Rollover Pass, which is located on the upper end of the Bolivar Peninsula, at Gilchrist, TX. This 200 yard long by 50 yard wide pass was channeled between the Gulf of Mexico and East Galveston Bay in the late â50s. And has since become one of the most popular areas to fish by untold thousands who visit the pass every year. The main reason for its popularity is because it’s FREE to the fishing public and is easily accessed by driving your vehicle right up to where you want to fish.
Nearby R.V. Parks will cater to the overnighters while area stores and restaurants will service your food and beverage needs with local bait & tackle shops providing the fishing necessities. Fish for croaker is really simple and easy with fishing gear being from those snoopy combo rods to the more sophisticated adult type tackle. With a 2 oz lead weight tied to the bottom end and two 6 Aberdeen wire hooks with the 1st tied about 8 inches above the weight and the 2nd tied about 8 inches above the first. Dead shrimp will be the best bait to use with fresh cut bait running a close second. Your bait should be cut into 1 inch chunks and threaded onto the hooks with the barb hidden. Cast into the water, keeping a tight line. Croaker bites can be very aggressive, so be sure to keep a watch-full eye on your gear or they may get yanked overboard. Croaker can, and often do fight very hard, which provides plenty of excitement for the entire family. Even though croaker don’t have any size or creel limits in Texas waters, just keep the ones you want for eating by placing them in a cooler of ice. This will keep them fresh and tasty for the family fish fry. The largest golden croaker that I ever witnessed an angler catch was 19 inches and weighed about 4 pounds. This brute was caught at Rollover Pass.
You can clean and prepare them in many ways. Some like to filet them for rolling in cornmeal and deep frying, and some would rather scale, behead, and gut them either to deep fry or for grilling them whole on the BBQ. My preference is to filet and dip them in tempera batter for deep frying in peanut oil, or sautéing them in olive oil to a crispy golden brown. Add some country slaw with a chilled beverage and enjoy.
But for whatever you prefer, grilling, broiling, sauteing, or deep frying, the golden croaker will become a regular supper guest in your home. You have from now through October (peaking in late September) to experience some of the most exciting fishing action that the entire family can enjoy together…… So let’s go gettum!By: Ed Snyder / Ed Snyder Outdoors
