Bunker

[snapperbluefish101]

I have heard some reports that there are some bunker in Raritan Bay now. Where did these schools come from?

SNAPPERHEAD

[PA Angler Matt]

I'd say....The Ocean

[nancy corigan]

The bunker winter and spawn offshore snapper.

Hope this helps!

Menhaden Background
Ecology & Life History

Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) are small (maximum length = 15 inches), schooling fish related to herring, shad, and sardines. Menhaden consume large quantities of phytoplankton and zooplankton, and are themselves a favorite food of striped bass, bluefish, sea trout, tunas, sharks, and sea birds. The species inhabits near-shore waters along the Atlantic seaboard from Nova Scotia southward to central Florida.

Menhaden spawn in the ocean, in shelf waters off Chesapeake Bay from March to May, and again in September and October. The young menhaden drift with currents until they reach a coastal inlet, then work upstream to live for the summer. Larvae use brackish and fresh water inlets and estuaries as nursery areas, where they metamorphose into juveniles and grow rapidly. Menhaden are common in all salinities of Chesapeake Bay during the spring, summer, and fall, swimming in large schools near the water's surface.

Young-of-the-year menhaden leave Chesapeake Bay in late fall and join schools in southward migration. During the fall and early winter, most menhaden migrate south to deeper waters off the North Carolina capes, where they remain until March and early April.

Summer die-offs of large numbers of Atlantic menhaden are common in Chesapeake Bay, mostly associated with episodes of low dissolved oxygen (i.e., dead zones) in Bay waters.

http://www.vims.edu/research/units/p...bout/index.php

[SaltLife1980]

They are moving in from off shore.. Wont be long until Raritan Bay is full of them spawning..

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by snapperbluefish101

I have heard some reports that there are some bunker in Raritan Bay now. Where did these schools come from?

SNAPPERHEAD

Snapper, The bunker come into Raritan Bay every spring.The mature bunker spawn all along the Eastern Atlantic .The book was written about this.The Most Important Fish In the Ocean.Water temp in the bay will draw them in from the Ocean to the Bay.They are filter feeders.When the bigger Stripers arrive on there migration, bunker are there main course.The warmer the water the more aggressive the bass are.Now it is time to chunk and live line.Same for the Ocean in late May and june.This has been going on for many years.Only the mature bunker spawn.Peanut bunker are the offspring of the year that were hatched in the spring.By September they are perfect size for Fluke,bass weakfish and all predators.I hope you catch a real trophy this year young man!!!

[Capt Derek Fisher Price 3]

Some of these schools never left

[JBird]

True. I've seen bunker while clamming in Feb. and March.

[jmurr711]

I guess you are old enough now kid but when a boy bunker meets a girl bunker they fall in love. The boy bunker & girl bunker drink to much and start to kiss, next thing ya know a whole bunch of little bunkers are born & the boy bunkers life is over. so thats where they come from

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by jmurr711

I guess you are old enough now kid but when a boy bunker meets a girl bunker they fall in love. The boy bunker & girl bunker drink to much and start to kiss, next thing ya know a whole bunch of little bunkers are born & the boy bunkers life is over. so thats where they come from

Now that is funny lol