What Else Might You Catch While Porgy Fishing?

One of the fun things about porgy fishing is that you never know exactly what is going to come up next.

Even when the boat is specifically targeting porgies, other species regularly find their way onto the hooks. Some are welcome surprises. Some are interesting oddballs. A few are fish you would rather not see.

Over the years, I've caught a variety of species while fishing for porgies, and that unpredictability is part of what keeps the trips interesting.

Black Sea Bass

Black sea bass is probably my favorite surprise catch while porgy fishing.

I love eating sea bass, and keeper sea bass are generally much less common for me than porgies. That makes them exciting when they show up.

In terms of eating quality, I think sea bass is slightly better than porgy. The difference is not huge, but it is enough that I get excited when I see one coming over the rail.

If someone likes sea bass, they will almost certainly like porgy too.

Fluke

Fluke is another species that occasionally shows up.

If I had one free fishing day and knew the fluke bite was excellent, I would probably choose fluke fishing. They are harder to catch, more exciting, and I think they taste slightly better as a simple fillet.

That said, porgies are much easier for beginners and usually provide far more action.

For many people, catching lots of fish beats waiting all day for one keeper fluke.

Sea Robins

Sea robins are common in many areas where porgies live.

They are unusual-looking fish and often surprise beginners.

Some anglers throw them back immediately. Others keep them because they are actually edible and have a decent reputation among people who cook them.

Whether you keep them or not, they are a regular part of many Northeast fishing trips.

Triggerfish

Triggerfish are one of the more interesting surprises.

You do not see them on every trip, but when they show up people notice.

They are strong fighters for their size and are considered excellent eating by many anglers.

Dogfish

Almost nobody gets excited about catching a dogfish.

They fight hard, but they are usually not what people are hoping to catch when they are targeting porgies.

Still, they are part of saltwater fishing and occasionally show up where you least want them.

Small Bluefish

Depending on the time of year and location, you may run into bluefish.

When bluefish move through an area, they can create a lot of excitement and a lot of chaos.

They are aggressive and have a habit of showing up unexpectedly.

Striped Bass

Striped bass are not a common bycatch on most porgy trips, but it happens.

Any time a striped bass appears, people pay attention.

It is one of the most popular gamefish in the Northeast, and even a surprise encounter can make a trip memorable.

Why Bycatch Makes Porgy Fishing Fun

Part of the appeal of porgy fishing is that there is always a chance something different comes up.

You might catch sea bass, fluke, a triggerfish, a sea robin, or something completely unexpected.

Those surprise catches break up the rhythm of the day and give everyone on the boat something to talk about.

My Bottom Line

Porgies are usually the main event, but they are rarely the only fish around.

Sea bass and fluke are my favorite surprises. Triggerfish are always interesting. Sea robins and dogfish are common visitors. And every once in a while something unusual appears and reminds you why fishing is never completely predictable.