Spot are a popular Carolina saltwater panfish caught in great numbers in the fall.
Credit: Jeffrey Weeks | ©Jeffrey Weeks
It's spot season in Carolina saltwater fishing, and that means hordes of the tasty panfish making big runs and being caught two at a time on fishing piers. Spot are just a little fish but are probably the most important species in Carolina inshore saltwater fishing.
As the little bottom feeders run south and west down the coast, they often show up in staggering numbers. Spot are just a little panfish when considered next to their more respected cousins, the mighty red drum and beautiful speckled trout, but they are a delicious fish when fried up and catching them is a long-time Carolina saltwater tradition.
Spot are a feisty little member of the drum and croaker family. They can be found in North and South Carolina waters in all but the coldest months, and I have caught them in southern NC even after Christmas. Fall fishing is different, however, because as the water cools huge schools of spot move down the beaches and along the inlets swarming local fishing spots.
Most of the year spot are silvery and relatively small, but in the fall they tend to be larger and sport yellow fins (these spot are often called yellow-bellied spot) due to their raging hormones.
Timing is very important in spot fishing. The fish stage runs starting in September, but they don't run all the time. People often try to predict when they will show up based on the tide, the wind, and the presence of yellow butterflies (an old superstition). Yet they can be frustratingly hard to predict.
When they are running, however, everyone catches them provide they are fishing on the left side of the pier, which is where the spot will be in the fall. If spot have been recently caught on the pier you are going to, you will have to show up very early to get a spot on the correct side. Spot will not run under a pier. No one knows exactly why, but flounder and blue crabs that like to eat spot are often under our piers, so it makes sense to me.
As the little bottom feeders run south and west down the coast, they often show up in staggering numbers. Spot are just a little panfish when considered next to their more respected cousins, the mighty red drum and beautiful speckled trout, but they are a delicious fish when fried up and catching them is a long-time Carolina saltwater tradition.
Spot are a feisty little member of the drum and croaker family. They can be found in North and South Carolina waters in all but the coldest months, and I have caught them in southern NC even after Christmas. Fall fishing is different, however, because as the water cools huge schools of spot move down the beaches and along the inlets swarming local fishing spots.
Most of the year spot are silvery and relatively small, but in the fall they tend to be larger and sport yellow fins (these spot are often called yellow-bellied spot) due to their raging hormones.
Timing is very important in spot fishing. The fish stage runs starting in September, but they don't run all the time. People often try to predict when they will show up based on the tide, the wind, and the presence of yellow butterflies (an old superstition). Yet they can be frustratingly hard to predict.
When they are running, however, everyone catches them provide they are fishing on the left side of the pier, which is where the spot will be in the fall. If spot have been recently caught on the pier you are going to, you will have to show up very early to get a spot on the correct side. Spot will not run under a pier. No one knows exactly why, but flounder and blue crabs that like to eat spot are often under our piers, so it makes sense to me.
- Spot are a feisty little member of the drum and croaker family.
- Most spot are silvery and relatively small, but in the fall they tend to be larger and yellow.
Comments
Hey, you make actual make sound like fun, I might have to try it some day. :-)
Great article!
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