Plate 48 of 79SaltwaterSurf & pier

Whiting (Southern Kingfish)

Menticirrhus americanus — also called sea mullet, roundhead, Virginia mullet

The sea mullet — a small, silver, one-barbel surf panfish that feeds in the wash on worms and sand fleas from late spring through fall.

Typically present

beginnerShore-accessibleNearshore oceanEstuarine

Practice this species

Try a simulated catch in Seven Casts. Use this guide and its official sources to plan a real trip.

This profile has not yet been checked against an official regional data source — confirm identification, seasons, and regulations before you rely on it.

Whiting (Southern Kingfish) (Menticirrhus americanus) — Fig. 48. Menticirrhus americanus
Illustration: David Starr Jordan (Freshwater and Marine Image Bank) — Public domainLong edge is 965px, below this project's 1600px preference. Accepted because it is the best rights-clear, correctly-identified photo found for this species — see SPECIES_PHOTO_AUDIT.md for the source search record.

Habitat: Atlantic surf, Inlets
Methods: Surf, Pier, Shore
Typical size: 10–14 in
Eating: good

Identification

Look for

Cone-shaped snout with a small, downturned mouth and a single stiff barbel on the chin
Silvery-gray above with dusky/dark bars along the sides; no bold 'V' mark or horizontal midline stripe (both point toward the similar but not locally-confirmed northern kingfish instead)

Typical size here: 10–14 in
Notable fish: Fish past 1½ lb make a good day

Local waters

Surf and sandy beaches
Piers and inlet mouths

A shore fishery here — typically fished from surf, pier, no boat required.

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When to fish

Typically present: spring, summer, fall

Late spring through fall, especially the surf in summer.

Tide stage for this kind of water

Rising through high, and the first of the fall

The trough has depth when the water is up; scout the bars and cuts at low water, then fish them as the tide comes in.

From: Reading the surf

Water temperature

The water, not the calendar, sets the season here — a warm October or a cold snap moves these bands.

Water temperature and the seasons

How to catch it

Bloodworm or Fishbites on a high-low rig cast just past the first breaker; whiting feed in the wash on sand fleas and worms.
A light rod shows the tap-tap bite; a slow lift sets the small hook.