Bluefish Videos

Species -Bluefish

Scientific Name - (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Physical Description - Color is steel blue or dark green above, shading to silvery white below. Dark spot usually shows at base of pectoral fin. Large mouth with prominent teeth. Forked tail. Bluefish are a greenish-blue with a silvery-white belly, and dark fins, except for the pelvic fins, which are whitish in color, and a black spot at the base of the pectoral fins. They have long and slender bodies covered in small scales. Their large mouths are lined with exceptionally sharp teeth. There are two dorsal fins, one anal fin and a forked tail fin. The small front dorsal fin has 6 to 8 spines whereas the back dorsal fin has 1 and the anal has 2. The anal and the back dorsal both have 23- to 28 soft rays.

Averages 1-3 pounds in most coastal waters of Florida, with catches to 6 or 7 pounds always possible, especially around major inlets, passes and jetties on both coasts. During runs of big fish, generally in the spring, Floridians have taken blues as heavy as 20 pounds or so. World record 31 pounds, 12 ounces; Florida record 22 pounds, 2 ounces.

Range - Bluefish are found in the coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean. They are commonly encountered from Maine to Argentina, and from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to South Africa. In the Western Hemisphere, they are more commonly seen along the mid-Atlantic U.S. states.

Habitat - Schools of small Bluefish roam outside beaches, bays and estuaries of both coasts mostly summer in the upper half of Florida; fall and winter in the lower half. Many are caught each summer by anglers drifting shallow grass beds for Speckled Trout. Definite southward runs occur each year on both coasts, but they vary in size and extent. Runs of giant Blues from 8 pounds to occasionally 20 or more, sometimes occur offshore and in the surf, usually in March and April on the Atlantic Coast and in late summer or fall in the Panhandle, but these are unpredictable.

Bluefish can be found in warm to temperate waters and warmwater currents, preferably not less than 60 F, along rocky coasts and rough waters. The adult bluefish prefer deeper waters whereas the younger fish tend to inhabit shallower habitat, such as bays and estuaries. Winter brings the fish south to Florida, and in the spring they stay around Virginia, and they venture north to the New England states and Canada during summer.

Spawning Habits - Bluefish travel north, around the gulf of Maine and Cape Cod, and spawn from late spring to mid-August. Young bluefish that hatch in the spring will spend their first year in coastal bays and sounds, while those hatched in summer usually spend their first year out at sea.

Food Usage/Selection - Bluefish are voracious feeders that hunt for prey in large schools. They will eat almost anything smaller than them including other bluefish. However, they typically feed mainly on baitfish, crustaceans and shrimp. When a food source is located, an entire school of bluefish will often go into a feeding frenzy. The larger the school of bluefish the smaller the fish will be, while a smaller school will have bigger bluefish. Small Bluefish make fine table fare if broiled or pan-fried soon after being landed the same day if possible.

Sporting Qualities - Outstanding fighter at all sizes. Strong runs and frequent jumps. Bluefish are one of the most popular game fish on the Atlantic Coast, mainly due to their savage strikes, strong fighting ability and their tendency to be caught in great numbers when a school is found. They seem to be in constant motion, moving between inshore and offshore in search of a diverse forage base. Therefore, they are caught by pier fisherman, surf anglers, and from party boats and smaller inshore vessels. Finding schools of bluefish is the challenge. Anywhere birds are circling or diving to capture surfacing baitfish, there is a good chance bluefish are nearby. Also, when a school of bluefish is ambushing a school of baitfish, splashes and boils on the surface can be seen and cast to.

Once found, bluefish can be caught with casting, jigging, trolling and fly-fishing tactics. Jigs, diving plugs, tubes and streamer flies are common artificials. Live bait is preferred to dead or cut bait, and the most effective baits are those found naturally in the area. Light- to medium-weight spinning, conventional and fly tackle are commonly used, with line weights from 8 to 20 pounds. When a bluefish is boated or landed, anglers avoid the sharp teeth by using a gaff or vice grips.

Tackle and Baits - Light casting and spinning tackle is adequate in most instances, along with surf tackle for beach and pier fishing. Many big fish, during those aforementioned unpredictable runs, will put light trolling tackle to a good test. Heavy leaders are usually necessary to prevent clipoffs by the Blue's sharp teeth. Stout monofilament leaders usually suffice, but wire can be used too. Bluefish are ravenous as both predators and scavengers and will take virtually any popular bait-live and cut fish, cut squid, live shrimp. Fast-moving artificials work best, with the nod going to noisy surface plugs, jigs, spoons and swimming plugs, in about that order. Often, though, feeding Blues will slash at anything thrown their way.