Gulf MenhadenorAtlantic Thread Herring

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of a Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), side view, on a white background — **Gulf Menhaden***Brevoortia patronus*

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Thread Herring (Opisthonema oglinum), side view, on a white background — **Atlantic Thread Herring***Opisthonema oglinum*

Rules for both fish from 2 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Gulf Menhaden

The Gulf's bunker — shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots, keeled belly, tight flipping schools.

Atlantic Thread Herring

Last dorsal ray trails into a long thread; single shoulder spot on a deep herring body.

Atlantic thread herring, next to Gulf menhaden: trailing dorsal thread.

Side by side

	Gulf Menhaden	Atlantic Thread Herring
Scientific name	Brevoortia patronus	Opisthonema oglinum
Also called	Pogy	Threadfin, Greenie
Waters	Inshore	Inshore
Heaviest state record	—	—
On the table	Bait and chum.	Bait.
Rules of its own in	1 states	2 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 2 of 2 states with a rule for either. In Florida (Gulf), Gulf menhaden is No size limit, No bag limit for bait and Atlantic thread herring is No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more). Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

State	Gulf Menhaden: size · bag · season	Atlantic Thread Herring: size · bag · season
Florida (Atlantic)	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Florida (Gulf)	No size limitNo bag limit for baitOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked 2026-09-18	No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Gulf menhaden from Atlantic thread herring?

Gulf Menhaden: The Gulf's bunker — shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots, keeled belly, tight flipping schools. Atlantic Thread Herring: Last dorsal ray trails into a long thread; single shoulder spot on a deep herring body. Atlantic thread herring, next to Gulf menhaden: trailing dorsal thread.

Which is better to eat, Gulf menhaden or Atlantic thread herring?

Gulf Menhaden: Bait and chum. Atlantic Thread Herring: Bait.

Do Gulf menhaden and Atlantic thread herring have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 2 state rulebooks. Florida (Gulf): Gulf menhaden No size limit, No bag limit for bait, Atlantic thread herring No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more); Florida (Atlantic): Gulf menhaden no rule of its own, Atlantic thread herring No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day (whichever is more).