Saltwater · Year-round in the eastern Pacific; a regular component of coastal and shrimp-trawl catches from Mexico to Panama.

Golden Croaker

Micropogonias altipinnis

An eastern Pacific croaker also called tallfin croaker and corvina agria in the Gulf of Nicoya, ranging from Baja California and the Gulf of California to Peru over sand and mud.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Identifying features

Tall dorsal fin — the source of the names tallfin / altipinnis
Golden-bronze sheen over a silvery body, especially when fresh
Several small barbels along the edge of the lower jaw (Micropogonias trait)
Mouth nearly horizontal, lower jaw not strongly projecting
Deeper body than the more elongate Cynoscion weakfishes

Habits

Lives in estuarine and marine water from 1 to about 104 m
Feeds on benthic crustaceans and small fishes
Listed among the Gulf of Nicoya corvinas as 'agria'
Frequent in shrimp-trawl bycatch in the Gulf of Tehuantepec

Distribution

Mazatlán & the Mainland Pacific Coast · Sinaloa to Oaxaca★ Primary

Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) · Baja California Sur, Sonora & SinaloaCommon

Pacific Coast, Guatemala · GuatemalaCommon

Pacific Coast, Costa Rica · Costa RicaCommon

Panama — Pacific, Canal & Caribbean · PanamaCommon

Baja California Pacific Coast · Baja California & Baja California SurOccasional

Where to find them

Gulf of California and Acapulco-area bays, Mexico
Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica
Coastal grounds of Pacific Panama

Where they live

Estuarine and marine coastal water 1-104 mSand and mud bottomsBays and outer estuaries

How to catch them

Bottom fishing with natural bait Boat

Rig: Two-hook paternoster or Carolina rig with 1-3 oz sinker

Bait/lure: Live or fresh shrimp

Key tip: Keep the bait on the bottom over sand or mud and wait for the soft, tapping bite.

Slow jigging and soft plastics Boat

Rig: Light jigging rod with 1/2-2 oz jig head or metal jig

Bait/lure: Shrimp-imitating soft plastic or small metal jig

Key tip: Work the lure slowly just above the bottom; most strikes come on the fall.

Best baits & lures

Fresh shrimpCut sardineSmall jig with soft plastic

Techniques for Golden Croaker →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium spinning or conventional rod 7-9 ft
Line: 20-30 lb braid with 30 lb fluorocarbon leader
Terminal: 2/0-4/0 circle hooks, 2-4 oz sinker or jig

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod

≈ US$110-170

Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.

Line · Budget

50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)

≈ US$25-40

Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.

Terminal · Budget

Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs

≈ US$25-40

A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.

Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.

Typical size

Up to about 66 cm (26 in); commonly 25-40 cm.

On the table

Fine, firm flesh; a valued local food fish, good steamed, fried or in soups.

Similar species

Scalyfin CorvinaScalyfin has its soft dorsal and anal fins covered in scales and a blackish tail tip; golden croaker has a taller dorsal fin and jaw barbels.

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

Plan a trip for Golden Croaker

Build today's plan

⚠ Heads-up: Golden Croaker doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.