Scup vs Porgy: What's the Difference?

The short answer is simple: scup and porgy are the same fish.

If you've spent time around Northeast saltwater fishing, you've probably heard both names. Some people say scup. Some people say porgy. They are talking about the same species.

For many beginners, that can be confusing. It certainly was for me.

The First Name I Heard Was Porgy

I had never heard the word scup when I first started fishing for these fish.

I only knew them as porgies.

Later, I started hearing the term scup from regulations, fishing articles, and occasionally from captains or experienced anglers.

But in everyday conversation, I still hear porgy far more often.

What Do Party Boat Captains Say?

In my experience, most captains say porgy.

Not all of them.

Every once in a while I'll hear someone use scup, but porgy seems to be the more common name on the boats I fish.

If someone says we're going porgy fishing, everybody immediately knows what they mean.

If someone says we're going scup fishing, it sounds a little more unusual.

Why Are There Two Names?

Many fish have regional names, common names, and official names.

Scup is the official species name used in many regulations and scientific references.

Porgy is the common name most recreational anglers use.

That is why you'll often see both names used interchangeably.

Does the Name Hurt the Fish's Reputation?

Honestly, I think it might.

The word porgy does not sound particularly glamorous.

Neither does scup.

Compare those names to something like branzino.

Branzino sounds fancy.

It sounds like something you would order in a nice restaurant.

Porgy sounds more like a fish people overlook.

That is unfortunate because the fish itself is excellent.

What Does a Porgy Taste Like?

One reason I think the name issue matters is that many people assume porgies are lower-quality fish.

Then they actually eat one.

The reaction is often surprise.

Porgies have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and compare favorably with several much more respected species.

I often compare them to branzino or certain sea bass preparations.

Would Restaurants Benefit From Calling It Something Else?

Maybe.

People are often influenced by names.

If porgies were marketed under a more restaurant-friendly name, I suspect more people would try them.

The funny thing is that once people actually taste the fish, the reputation problem usually disappears.

Which Name Do I Use?

I almost always say porgy.

That is the name I heard first.

That is the name I hear most often on fishing boats.

And it feels more natural to me.

I understand what scup means, but if I'm talking with friends about a fishing trip, I'm almost always going to say porgy.

My Bottom Line

Scup and porgy are the same fish.

Scup is often used in regulations and official references. Porgy is the name most recreational anglers use in everyday conversation.

Personally, I almost always say porgy. It's the name I heard first, it's the name I hear most often on party boats, and it simply sounds more natural to me.

Whatever you call them, they're one of the most underrated fish in the Northeast.