Charted Waters
Hampton Roads · Fishing

Cut Bunker (Menhaden)

A scientific illustration of an Atlantic menhaden, showing its deep body, forked tail, and dark shoulder spot

Illustration via NOAA, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Unverified

Drawn from a named source but not independently confirmed. Double-check before relying on it.

Presentation and technique notes reflect general regional angling knowledge and have not been individually checked against an official source. Any specific regulation mentioned (e.g. circle-hook requirements) was confirmed live as of 2026-08-08 — always check current rules before you fish.

Cut / Prepared BaitStock varies by shop

Oily baitfish, fished cut into chunks — the scent trail is a workhorse bait for striped bass, bluefish, cobia, and several shark species.

Check the rules: When fishing this bait for striped bass, Virginia requires a non-offset circle hook (see the Striped Bass Bait/Chunk Rig). When fishing it for sharks, federal NOAA HMS rules require the same for anyone with a shark endorsement — see the Shark Bottom Rig.

Where it's used
Bay structure, inlets, piers, and surf.
How to rig or present it
Chunk and fish on bottom with enough weight to hold in current, or use as chum alongside a hooked chunk.
Storage & handling
Freezes well; thaw only what you'll use in a session.
Common targets
Striped Bass, Bluefish, Cobia, Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Smooth Dogfish (Smoothhound Shark), Bonnethead Shark

Rigs to pair it with

Bucktail Jigging Rig, Striped Bass Bait/Chunk Rig (Circle Hook Required), Shark Bottom Rig (Circle Hook Required, Catch-and-Release Setup)

Where its target species turn up

Sandbridge Beach, Ocean View Fishing Pier, Grandview Nature Preserve, Elizabeth River — Downtown Norfolk, Chickahominy WMA — Morris Creek Boat Ramp, Bennett's Creek Park — Nansemond River, Munden Point Park, Portsmouth City Park, Yorktown Beach & Fishing Pier, Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway, Fort Monroe — Fishing Piers, James River Fishing Pier — Huntington Park

Bait availability isn't guaranteed at any specific shop — see the bait & tackle shop directory for listings that have confirmed their own stock.