Porgy Fishing Charters

Porgy, also known as scup, is a reliable party boat favorite along the Northeast Atlantic coast. These feisty panfish may not be the biggest catch of the day, but their cooperative feeding habits and excellent flavor make them one of the most satisfying targets on a half-day trip.

Party boats find porgy over sandy and rocky bottoms, shell beds, and near structure in depths of 20 to 100 feet. Small pieces of squid, clam, or worm on small hooks fished near the bottom produce the most bites. When you locate a school of porgy, the action is fast and furious, with double and triple hookups common.

Porgy fight well for their size, making short runs and using their flat, disc-shaped body to pull hard against the line. Most fish run half a pound to 2 pounds, with larger specimens reaching 3 to 4 pounds. Their small mouths require small hooks and attentive fishing.

Porgy is an excellent food fish with firm, white, mild-flavored flesh. Pan-fried whole porgy is a classic preparation, and the fillets work well in any recipe calling for a mild white fish. Porgy is one of those underappreciated species that dedicated anglers know is a true gem at the dinner table.