Croakers

CROAKERS possess an unusual courting song. Males use stomach-muscles to vibrate their swim-bladders, earning their nickname of “drum-fish.” Croakers are estuary-dwellers, particular about the salinity of their water even though they spawn in the Atlantic ocean. They return to bottom-feed and hide from fishermen in grassy coastal areas. Croakers range from New Jersey to Florida, moving to warmer waters when ocean temperatures fall in winter. They are a prime lure to Chesapeake Bay fisherman, who have been known to pack a skillet, bacon, and cornmeal along with their tackle. A delicious pan-fish, ours are wild-caught in U.S. waters. Priced per pound.