Porgy (Scup) Facts

Scup and black sea bass hovering around a reef ledge.

• Scup undertake extensive migrations between coastal waters in summer and offshore waters in winter.
  
• Scup migrate north and inshore to spawn in spring, with larger scup (age 2 and older) tending to arrive in spring first, followed by smaller scup.
• Larger scup are found during the summer near the mouth of larger bays and in the ocean within 20-fathoms, and often inhabit rough bottom areas.
• Smaller scup are more likely to be found in shallow, smooth bottom areas of bays during summer.
• Scup migrate south and offshore in autumn as the water temperature decreases, arriving in offshore wintering areas by December.
• Spawning occurs from May through August and peaks in June.
• About 50% of age-2 scup are sexually mature (about 17 cm total length), while nearly all scup of age 3 and older are mature.
• Scup reach a maximum fork length of at least 41 cm and a maximum age of at least 14 years, with a likely maximum of 20 years.