Bunker Bait Guide - Using Menhaden in New Jersey
Bunker, also known as menhaden or pogies, is arguably New Jersey's most important baitfish. These oily, schooling fish are the primary forage for striped bass, bluefish, and many o...
Bunker, also known as menhaden or pogies, is arguably New Jersey's most important baitfish. These oily, schooling fish are the primary forage for striped bass, bluefish, and many other game fish. Whether used live, as chunks, or ground into chum, bunker is essential knowledge for any serious NJ angler.
Jump to Section
Overview
Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) are filter-feeding fish that travel in massive schools along the Jersey coast. Their high oil content makes them irresistible to predators. Bunker range from small 'peanuts' (4-6 inches) to adults over 12 inches. Live bunker is the ultimate trophy striper bait, while chunks are standard for surf and boat fishing.
Where to Find Bunker (Menhaden)
Catch or Collect Your Own
- ✓Visible schools along beaches and in bays from spring through fall
- ✓Near inlets where they enter and exit bays
- ✓Marked by bird activity and surface disturbances
- ✓In harbors and around piers during summer
Where to Buy
- ✓Fresh frozen bunker at most tackle shops ($8-15/bag)
- ✓Live bunker rarely sold - must be caught yourself
- ✓Bunker oil and ground chum available at shops
Keeping Bunker (Menhaden) Fresh
- 1Use a round livewell with strong aeration - bunker are sensitive to low oxygen
- 2Keep water cool - add ice on warm days to stay below 70°F
- 3Don't overcrowd - maximum 6-8 fish in a standard livewell
- 4Change water frequently when drifting or anchored
- 5Handle minimally - scales come off easily and fish die quickly
- 6Net from underneath, never grab or squeeze
Rigging Methods
Nose Hook (Live)
Pass circle hook through both nostrils or the tough lip area. Allows natural swimming action. Best for free-lining live bunker.
Back Hook (Live)
Hook through the back just behind the dorsal fin, avoiding the spine. Good for casting live bait or when trolling slowly.
Chunk Cut
Cut bunker into palm-sized chunks. Head, body sections, and tail all work. Thread hook through the tough skin portion.
Fillet Strip
Cut thin strips from the sides of bunker. Thread on hook like a worm. Adds flash and scent to bucktails.
Target Species
Seasonal Availability
Spring
Schools arrive in April-May, excellent availability
Summer
Abundant throughout bays and along beaches
Fall
Peak season as schools migrate south, peanut bunker prevalent
Winter
Mostly gone, frozen bunker from tackle shops
Pro Tips
- Fresh bunker dramatically outfishes frozen - catch or buy same-day if possible
- Snag hooks (weighted trebles) are the standard tool for catching bunker from schools
- Cast nets work when bunker are schooled tight near shore
- Peanut bunker (small juveniles) are excellent for snapper bluefish
- Bloody bunker chunks are more attractive - let them bleed before use
- Bunker oil can be added to chum or rubbed on lures for extra attraction
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I catch my own live bunker?
Use a snag rig — a weighted treble hook, commonly 7/0–10/0 — cast past a visible school, let it sink, and sweep the rod to snag. The snag-and-drop follow-up (open the bail and let the snagged bunker fall below the school) is the classic big-striper move. Cast nets work when bunker are schooled tight to shore; an 8–12 ft fast-sinking net with 1–2 inch mesh handles adult bunker.
Is it legal to snag or cast-net bunker in NJ?
Yes, for personal bait use. New Jersey allows recreational anglers to take baitfish without a license using cast nets up to 20 feet in diameter and bait seines up to 50 feet, and snagging bunker for bait is standard practice. Bait taken this way cannot be sold or bartered without a commercial bait-net license. One important caution: river herring (alewife and blueback) look similar and are prohibited to take or possess — know the difference.
Are bunker overfished?
No. The most recent ASMFC coastwide stock assessment (2025) found Atlantic menhaden are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. The fishery is managed by the ASMFC with ecological reference points that explicitly account for menhaden's role as forage for striped bass. New Jersey also bars menhaden harvest for fish-meal reduction, a ban that does not apply to taking bunker for bait.
Fresh vs frozen bunker - does it matter?
Absolutely. Fresh bunker has more oil and scent. Live bunker is the ultimate striper bait. Frozen works but fresh is always preferred when available.
What size bunker should I use?
Match the bait to your target. Adult bunker (8-12") for trophy stripers, medium (6-8") for general use, peanuts (4-6") for smaller species and snapper blues. For chunking, a 9/0 inline circle hook through a head section just behind the gill plate is the standard rig; for live-lining, an 8/0-10/0 circle hook through the nose.