Weakfish
A slender silver body, oblique spots, yellowish fins, and drumming muscles identify this estuarine member of the drum family.
Artwork inspired by Edward Loper Sr.
Weakfish move through bays and nearshore Atlantic water, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Their name refers to tender mouth tissue that can tear around a hook, not weak swimming. Dark spots form diagonal rows across an iridescent back, while the lower fins may carry a warm yellow cast.
Delaware Bay is a nursery and migration corridor, so abundance can change sharply with season and year. Use current size and season regulations, handle a released fish with wet hands and minimal pressure, and do not confuse it with spotted seatrout farther south. The sound-producing muscles shared by drums add a hidden clue to the family.
- Family
- Drums and croakers
- Pattern
- Dark spots in oblique rows
- Delaware link
- Official state fish
Quick guide
- Look for iridescence
- Purple-green tones can shift across the silver back.
- Check the spots
- Rows angle across body and dorsal fin.
Recognize and observe
- Look for iridescence
- Purple-green tones can shift across the silver back.
- Check the spots
- Rows angle across body and dorsal fin.
- Ease the hook
- Tender mouth tissue rewards gentle pressure and proper tools.
- Verify the rule
- Season, size, and possession limits can change.
Good to know
The weakfish is also called gray trout, but it is not a true trout. It belongs to the drum family with red drum and croakers.
Notice these
- Drums and croakers
- Dark spots in oblique rows
- Official state fish