Fish Id: A Guide To East Coast Fishes

MENHADEN Bunker Brevoortia tyrannus

Also known as Mossbunker, Pogy, Bugfish or Fatback. Photo of "peanut" or immature bunker shown above. Adults: Dark back with silver sides, fading to gray at death. Small dorsal fin, small pectoral fin low down on the body, close to the gills. This is the most popular bait for crabs, next to chicken parts. But it is also used as bait for stripers, when fresh, cut into large fillets or chunks. Caught by snagging with weighted treble hook, cast netting, and by commercial netting. We set up a tank as of 10/2/97----- Fresh bunker in limited quantities for fall striper fishing!

A bit of history - these were the fish that used to be processed into things like fertilizer and such, out at the old Fish Factory in Great Bay.

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