Menhaden, also commonly called “Pogies” are an essential baitfish in South Carolina.
Anglers in search of live bait will track down schools of Menhaden as they give themselves away fluttering at the surface. A large round castnet is thrown (typically 8-12 foot radius) to encircle the school. As the net drops, the fish are trapped within, to be pulled up to the boat by the hand line.
Pogies can be kept alive in a live well as long as it has sufficient circulation and the water is not too hot for too long.
As bait, they are utilized both whole or in cut pieces, and just about everything in the sea will eat a Pogy!