Weakfish, also known as gray trout, squeteague, sea trout, tiderunner, and drummer, possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. Their body is greenish grey above and silvery below. The back features small spots forming undulating dotted lines, while the pelvic fins and anal fin are yellowish. Other fins are pale, sometimes with a yellowish tinge. The inside of the gill cover is dark, visible externally. The mouth is large and oblique, with the lower jaw projecting. The upper jaw is equipped with a pair of large canine-like teeth at the tip. Weakfish have no barbels or pores on their chin, and their snout typically has only one marginal pore. An interesting feature is their gas bladder, which possesses a pair of nearly straight, horn-like appendages. The soft portion of their dorsal fin is covered with small scales, accounting for up to half of the fin's height.
Weakfish can be found along the Atlantic coast, spanning from Nova Scotia to Florida. They are most abundant from New York to North Carolina. During the summer months, they primarily inhabit nearshore marine and estuarine waters north of North Carolina. Larger weakfish may range from Delaware into New England, while smaller weakfish are more commonly found in southern regions. As water temperatures decrease in late fall, adult weakfish migrate offshore, moving in a southerly direction toward the continental shelf between Chesapeake Bay and Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Weakfish can also be found in Maryland's offshore waters, coastal bays, and Chesapeake Bay. Adult weakfish are frequently encountered along the coast within ten miles of shore, particularly around the Ocean City inlet and the southern reaches of Chesapeake Bay. In the spring, as water temperatures rise, adult weakfish migrate inshore and north from their wintering grounds to nearshore estuaries, bays, and sounds.
Weakfish have the potential to grow up to 29 inches in length and reach weights of up to 12 pounds. However, it's important to note that these are maximum sizes, and most weakfish individuals fall within smaller size ranges.
Weakfish occupy diverse habitats throughout their life cycle. During their early stages, weakfish larvae can be found throughout the lower Bay, with higher densities near the Bay mouth and along the eastern Bay margin. As larvae reach 0.3 inches in length, they transition from the water column to the bottom. Juveniles are most abundant during mid-summer through mid-fall and experience rapid growth during their first year. Weakfish prefer estuarine and nearshore areas as they provide ample food sources and suitable conditions for growth and reproduction.
Spawning typically occurs shortly after the spring migration, with peak activity observed between May and September along nearshore areas and estuary mouths. The number of eggs produced, known as fecundity, increases as weakfish grow larger. Fecundity cannot be precisely determined due to continuous egg production and release in batches throughout the spawning season, which spans from March to October. Nearly 90% of weakfish become sexually mature after their first year, with all individuals reaching maturity by their second year. In Chesapeake Bay, peak larval abundance occurs during late summer, and the larvae are generally distributed throughout the lower Bay, with higher concentrations near the Bay mouth and along the eastern Bay margin.
While weakfish catches have declined significantly in recent years, there are still opportunities for recreational fishing. To enhance your chances of success, consider the following tips: