Gulf Menhaden

Family Clupeidae, HERRINGS
Brevoortia patronus

Other local names: shad, pogies

Description: to 18" oval, deep and compressed; blue or green, sometimes bluish-brown above; sides and belly silvery, fins yellowish; distinct humeral spot often followed by several rows of smaller spots; head very large, exposed margin of scales almost vertical, fringed.

Where found: large, near surface schools primarily in estuaries and near shore waters of the northern Gulf from early spring through fall.

Size: three-year-olds are 8 inches long and weigh more than 6 ounces

Remarks: sexual maturity begins at late age (1) with major spawning areas offshore across the northern Gulf.

*The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.