Atlantic Menhaden (Bait Fish)

To about 12 inches. The average is about 8 inches.

Pogy, Mossbunker, Bunker, Alewife, LY, Fatback, Shad

All the Menhadens range widely in open water of the Gulf and Atlantic, but are most often sought by anglers fairly close to the beaches, or around shoals and wrecks.

Three species of Menhaden are common in Florida, but all are similar in size and appearance, and interchangeable in their bait appeal. The Atlantic Menhaden, shown here, is slightly larger than its Gulfside counterparts, the Gulf Menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, and the Yellowfin Menhaden, Brevortia smithi. The latter two can be distinguished by their spots, a lone prominent spot behind the gill cover of the Yellowfin, as opposed to a large spot and a series of smaller ones on the Gulf Menaden. The Atlantic variety also has numerous spots. All three have dark greenish backs, yellowish fins and dull silver or brassy sides. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-24; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 24. Upper jaw with median notch. Pelvic fin with rounded hind margin, inner fin rays equal or nearly equal to outer fin rays when fin folded back. Pre-dorsal scales modified; scales on back, above base of anal fin and at base of tail much smaller and irregularly placed. A black spot behind gill opening, followed along flank by approximately 6 lines of smaller spots. Silvery, with brassy sides and a dark bluish green back

Breeding season apparently limited by high water temperatures (20.5°C monthly mean maximum). Spawning activity occurring almost every month in some part of the range. Spawning temperature ranges from 4.4°C to 23.6°C, with peak activity at 15-18°C (Ref. 39014). Salinity ranges from 10 ppt to usually greater than 25 ppt. Fecundity observed is from 38,000 to 631,000 eggs per season

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada southward to Indian River, Florida, USA.
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

	River Drift River Drift means to use the....
	Trawling Trawling is when....

Most are cast needed, but many are caught on spinning tackle with multi-hook bait rigs.