Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) are oceanic, plankton-feeding fish that occur in large

schools and inhabit coastal and continental shelf waters from Labrador to Virginia.

Juveniles (called sardines) undergo seasonal inshore-offshore migrations. Sardines are

abundant in shallow, inshore waters during the warmer months of the year. Adults (age

three and older) migrate south from summer/fall spawning grounds in the Gulf of Maine

and Georges Bank to spend the winter in Southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

 

Herring spawn as early as August in Nova Scotia and eastern Maine and during October

and November in the southern Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Nantucket Shoals.

Spawning habitat consists of rock, gravel, or sand bottoms, ranging in depth from

50-150 feet. Females can produce between 30,000 and 200,000 eggs each. Schools can

produce so many eggs the ocean bottom is covered in a dense carpet of eggs several

centimeters thick. Eggs hatch in 10-12 days depending on water temperature. By their

fourth year, fish are about 10” in length and may eventually grow to about 15” (1 ½

pounds) at ages 15 to 18 years.

 

Herring are filter feeders preying entirely on plankton. They usually feed at night following the massive vertical migrations of zooplankton that inhabit deep waters by day and surface waters by night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November through mid February are the best times to venture out for herring. Depending on the weather, herring may be available as late as March.

 

A high moving tide ebb or flow is best for herring action.

 

Try fishing around the piers and docks of the back bays. Popular herring spots are Magnolia Pier in Long Beach. The pier at West Marina in Point Lookout. The piers at Jones Beach State Park field 10, a night fishing permit is required at Jones Beach. You can purchase the annual permit at the park office.

Captree pier at Captree State Park, the same night fishing permit used for Jones Beach State Park is required.

 

The most popular method is the use of a multi hook rig known as a Sabiki rig. A barrel swivel is connected to the top of the rig and a snap at the bottom. The bottom snap should hold a one or two ounce weight depending on the current, heavier weight may be required during a stronger current.

 

The most effective method is to cast and allow the rig to settle to the bottom. With a slow steady retrieve, allow the rig to bounce along the bottom. Often times, the herring will be close to the pier and casting will not be necessary. If this is the case, simply drop the rig to the bottom and jig it with a steady one to two foot lift of the rod tip, allow the weight to bounce off the bottom.

 

Small jigs or spoons will provide plenty of herring action on light spinning gear in six to ten pound weight as well.

 

 

Common sabiki rigs: