Bluefish Fishing Guide

The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is the most voracious schooling predator in the North Atlantic, the only member of its family, and an apex predator that attacks bait pods with a frenzy unmatched by most other fish. Blues are identified by a compressed, metallic blue-green body, a heavily toothed jaw that snaps shut with enough force to take off a finger, and powerful, deeply forked tail. They migrate seasonally along the East Coast, with large "choppers" (5–15+ pounds) appearing off New England in summer and retreating to southern waters in fall. Bluefish operate in size-stratified schools — small "snapper blues" inshore in late summer, larger fish offshore. The flesh is high in omega-3 fatty acids and oil content that makes it exceptional for smoking but quick to turn rancid — bluefish must be iced immediately and consumed quickly.

Bluefish is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Coastal and nearshore waters of the Atlantic from Maine to Florida, most abundant from New York through Virginia in summer; also found in the Gulf of Mexico and worldwide in subtropical and temperate seas. Pelagic, surface-oriented fish that are most common within 10 miles of shore but range widely offshore following bait migrations.

Diet

Menhaden, mackerel, squid, sand eels, and virtually any schooling baitfish — bluefish are indiscriminate, slash-and-eat predators that leave a characteristic "chum slick" of cut bait pieces behind feeding schools. Their sharp teeth make wire leaders advisable when targeting large fish.

Fishing Techniques

• Casting metal lures (Hopkins spoons, metal jigs)
• Trolling umbrella rigs
• Poppers on topwater
• Chunking with menhaden
• Surf fishing with cut bait

Best Seasons

Fall, Spring

Size & Records

Average weight: 5 lbs. World record: 31.12 lbs (Hatteras, North Carolina, USA (1997)).