| Learning the techniques for catching Bluefish in the | | | | - Squid |
| surf is all about understanding their migratory | | | | - Eels |
| patterns and preferences. This saltwater species | | | | - Mullet |
| is a very popular game fish sought after by many | | | | - Mackerel |
| surf anglers. This article will help you target this | | | | - Menhaden |
| fish at the surf line. | | | | - Bunker |
| Bluefish are a migratory saltwater game fish. | | | | - Ladyfish |
| Although you will find them in the Gulf of Mexico | | | | Preferred Lures |
| year round they migrate between the east coast | | | | They like a fast retrieve when casting lures. |
| of Florida and the coastline of Massachusetts and | | | | Spoons work well. Plugs, jigs and surface lures are |
| sometimes as far north as the coast of Nova | | | | also popular with them. Nothing is hardly more |
| Scotia. | | | | exciting than taking a bluefish on a top water lure. |
| They are found in Florida during the winter | | | | If you are fishing at dusk or early dawn a noisy |
| months and by April they will be heading north up | | | | lure will be especially productive. |
| the coast. They spend the summer around | | | | Tackle To Use |
| Massachusetts starting about June. Then around | | | | Bluefish have very sharp teeth and will require |
| October they begin heading south for the winter | | | | fishing with wire leaders. Use 3/0 to 4/0 circle |
| again. | | | | hooks for live bait rigs. You can use a fireball rig |
| Feeding Habits | | | | or a fish finder rig. Twenty pound test line is a |
| They feed voraciously, often in a frenzy. When | | | | safe bet even for the larger species. The Florida |
| feeding in a frenzy they will attack anything in | | | | record catch is 22 lbs. 3oz. But you can can catch |
| their path and little skill is needed to catch them. | | | | 3 to 5 pounders all day. |
| Known to be somewhat cannibalistic they usually | | | | If you plan on keeping some of your catch for |
| school up with others of the same size. They like | | | | the table, they should be put on ice right away. |
| menhaden, shrimp, squid and other bait fish similar | | | | The best way to prepare a bluefish is to fillet |
| to sardines. | | | | them. They are good smoked and younger fish |
| Preferred Live Baits | | | | will be better tasting. |
| The best bait maybe what they are currently | | | | Don't overlook this surf fish to provide an exciting |
| feeding on in the the surf. However, they can be | | | | time fishing the surf. When the bluefish are |
| caught on these popular live and cut baits | | | | running you won't even have time to put your |
| regularly: | | | | rod in the sand spike. |
| - Shrimp | | | | |