Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Gulf Menhaden

GULF MENHADEN - Brevoortia patronus Family Clupeidae, HERRINGS Other local names: shad, pogies

Description: Oval shaped, 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 menhaden is a little-known fish outside of the recreational and commercial fishing communities but, in spite of this lack of notoriety, is one of the most important fish species found off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The fish seldom exceed a pound or so in weight and have extremely oily flesh. Because of their oiliness, they are not considered to be fit for human consumption. Menhaden are found in very large schools in the warmer inshore and near shore waters, following an annual coastal migration each year. Their habit of traveling in large, densely-packed schools makes them a ready quarry for purse-seine equipped vessels. Their vast number support a very large fishery, providing both fish oil and meal for industrial/agricultural uses and bait vital to a large number of commercial and recreational fisheries.

Shad are difficult to keep on the hook but, make an excellent bait and are great for making chum blocks.