LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

• Bluefish can be found in the North East of the US waters, including the Atlantic Ocean, bays, inlets, and estuaries.

• They are typically found in inshore waters and are known to migrate along the coast.

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

• Shoreline Stucture, Rocks, Bridges, Docks, Look for Birds, Look for Bait, Shipping Channel edges, Dropoffs, Reefs, Inlets, openings into larger bodies of water, Points and dropoffs around River opeings. 

• Moving tides are usually more productive. Areas with currents. Use a fish finder and depth charts. Where would bait fish group up depending on the tide, current, and water structure? 

• Feed in schools searching for bait, Shipping Channel Ledges, Dropoffs, Birds, Surface Bait, Jettys, Rockpiles, Use a fish finder and charts. where would bait fish group up depending on the tide, current, and water structure? ​

PATTERNS

SPRING

• During the spring months, bluefish migrate into nearshore waters along the Northeast coast in search of warmer temperatures and abundant baitfish. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, spoons, and surface poppers. Look for areas with strong tidal currents, rip currents, and baitfish schools, where bluefish are likely to congregate in large numbers. Additionally, consider fishing around jetties, rocky shorelines, and estuaries where bluefish may seek shelter and ambush prey.

  
  

SUMMER

• In the summer, bluefish can be found in nearshore waters, bays, and estuaries, where they feed on baitfish and other prey. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, jigs, and swimming plugs. Focus on areas with strong tidal currents, rip currents, and underwater structure, where bluefish are likely to feed on baitfish schools.

  
  

FALL

• As temperatures cool down in the fall, bluefish may continue their migration along the Northeast coast, following schools of baitfish. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, spoons, and diving plugs. Look for areas with strong tidal currents, rip currents, and submerged structure, where bluefish are likely to feed on baitfish and other prey. Additionally, consider fishing around rocky points, jetties, and estuaries where bluefish may gather to feed on migrating baitfish.

WINTER

• bluefish may migrate southward to warmer waters along the Southeast coast, making them less accessible to anglers in the Northeast. However, occasional sightings of bluefish may still occur in nearshore waters during mild winters or during periods of unusual weather patterns. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, spoons, and diving plugs in areas with strong tidal currents, rip currents, and underwater structure. Additionally, consider fishing around warm water discharges or deep channels where bluefish may seek out slightly warmer water temperatures and increase their activity levels.

Bait

• Popular choices include casting lures such as spoons, jigs, surface poppers, and swimming plugs. It is also common to use baitfish such as mullet, menhaden, or bunker.

  
  

Techniques

Trolling

• How: Trolling fast in the 6-8 knot range is most productive for bluefish.

• Gear: Rods: 20-40lb class conventional. Reels: 20 wide. Lures: Swimming plugs, metal spoons, and feathered lures in blue or silver color patterns.

Chunking

• How: Locate bluefish by looking for diving birds or feeding frenzies near the surface. Anchor the boat and chum the water with ground-up baitfish to attract the bluefish. Use a hook baited with a chunk of fresh baitfish and cast it into the chum slick.

• Gear: Rods: 15-30 lb class conventional or medium-heavy spinning rods. Reels: 20 Wide conventional reel, 6000-8000 spinning reels. Hooks: 4/0 or 5/0 bait hooks.

Live Bait:

• How: Locate bluefish by looking for diving birds or feeding frenzies near the surface. Use a sabiki rig to catch live baitfish such as anchovies, sardines, or mackerel. Hook the live baitfish through the lips or back and cast it into the feeding frenzy.

• Gear: Rods: 15-30 lb class conventional or medium-heavy spinning rods. Reels: 20 Wide conventional reel, 6000-8000 spinning reels. Hooks: 4/0 or 5/0 bait hooks.

Jigging/Casting

• How: Cast metal jigs or bucktail jigs into feeding frenzies or around underwater structure where bluefish are known to feed. Jig the lure up and down quickly to imitate a fleeing baitfish.

• Gear: Rods: Medium-heavy to heavy spinning or conventional rods. Reels: Conventional reels with line capacity of 300-500 yds of 30-50 lb test. Leaders: 20-40lb fluorocarbon. Lures: Metal jigs, bucktail jigs, soft plastic baits in blue or silver color patterns.

Fly Fishing

• How: Locate bluefish in shallow water flats, estuaries, or near shore rocky structures. Cast large baitfish imitating flies or poppers in blue or silver color patterns and strip them quickly to entice the bluefish to strike.

• Gear: Rods: 8-10 wt fly rod. Reels: Reel to match size fly rod. Line: Floating or intermediate fly line. Leaders: 20-30lb fluorocarbon. Flies: Deceiver flies, clouser minnows, poppers in blue or silver color patterns.