Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)
General Information
Spot are highly sought-after baitfish that heavily populate the waters of many coastal Mid-Atlantic states. These petite silvery fish are also known as Norfolk spot throughout the region. Spot are an expensive baitfish that is known to lure prized gamefish including by not limited to: dogfish, striped bass, flounder, sandbar shark, red & black drum, spotted seatrout, black sea bass and even barracuda. A favorite target of anglers when using live spot is striped bass.
Spot are primarily used for troll fishing along the bottom of open coastal waters that make up much of New Jersey. The season in which to catch spot for bait is relatively small due to the short life cycle of the bait fish at just over three years. Since spot reach sexual maturity at age two, anglers must race between the months of May and October to snag enough silvery spot for the season. Many anglers then keep the fish in tanks at home to have a steady supply of bait for the striped bass and dogfish seasons. Spot are often found in bays and inlets, dominating both the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.
Spot should be caught fresh by the angler and kept alive on hand for best results and are most used in troll fishing close to the bottom of the sea floor. This ensures not only fresh live bait on the end of a line, but a substantial savings in money due to the fish’s short lifespan and therefore short-lived season driving New Jersey anglers to seek out of state spot at high prices.
Live Spot for Striper Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddV5vYCPmCo
Size
The best size of spot to use as live bait is between four and five inches long. Spot are known to grow to a maximum size of ten inches long and are a tasty and edible fish at such lengths.
Angling Tips
The best method to catch small bait spot is by casting a fine mesh net over an unsuspecting group. This method also proves to be the most difficult and frustrating to anglers as well. An easier method is to bait a line with blood worms and catch individual spot using a smaller hook as to not damage or kill the fish. Small spot is easier caught within inlets and bays off coastal New Jersey or any eastern coast from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. Larger spot often life out the remainder of their lives in deeper waters of the Atlantic Ocean after spawning each year from October to April.
Importance to New Jersey Recreational Fishing
Spot are listed as among the most essential species in the overall success of oceanic life in the Atlantic Ocean. For New Jersey, and much of the Mid-Atlantic coast, spot play a particularly crucial role in the recreational fishing industry as well.
Recreational fishing in New Jersey is a major tourist draw each year and chasing after striped bass is what brings many fishermen from nearby states to New Jersey waters. Protecting the short life cycles and populations of spot becomes essential in ensuring a successful recreational sport fishing season along the Jersey shore.
Spot allow fisherman to catch their own bait and then fish local waters through out New Jersey. The tourism within the state drives local economies in shore communities known for fishing such as the Wildwoods, Cape May, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook bay just to name the most popular destinations within the Garden State. Sport fishing is vital to the survival of fragile seasonally based shore economies and the spot play a large role in safeguarding cultural recreational fishing within the state for all to enjoy.
