Fishing for Bluefish


 

 

Along the Mid Atlantic coast and in estuaries such as the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, bluefish are a common catch. The first fish may arrive inshore as early as April. Flounder fisherman can be caught by surprise as mid-sized bluefish invade the coastal waters, attacking baits intended for flounder. About this same time, bluefish begin patrolling the surf as well. On either location, the site of birds diving will sometimes signal the presence of large numbers of bluefish.

By late May or early June, Bluefish often appear off the coast in enormous numbers. From a few miles from the beach, out to the 20 fathom line and sometimes beyond, large schools will take up residence on lumps, hills and shoals.

Bluefish are shadowed by mako sharks in the late spring and are often used as bait by anglers targeting sharks. As tuna arrive, bluefish may become pests as they occupy the prime tuna haunts, eagerly destroying anglers lures and tackle.

By mid- summer,  most of the larger bluefish tend to migrate north and tuna fishing is not disrupted. Meanwhile anglers in the Chesapeake may find these fish from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel northward to the Bay Bridge and beyond.

In general, bluefish are not hard to catch. They readily attack metal jigs and lures which match the prey they are after. They also take almost any cut or live bait, spot being a favorite morsel of bluefish.

Bluefish have dark meat and their table quality is a matter of opinion. The flesh is soft but easy to fillet, and the fish yield a good amount of meat. Many anglers skin the fillets, which helps to remove some of the strong, dark meat. Large bluefish is excellent smoked due to its high oil content.

 



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