How to catch Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Also known as blues, chopper, tailor.
Bluefish are hard-fighting, toothy predators that blitz bait schools in feeding frenzies, making them a favorite of surf and boat anglers alike.
🏆 World record: 31 lb IGFA all-tackle, Hatteras, North Carolina, USA (1972). IGFA all-tackle world record bluefish, about 31 pounds caught off Hatteras, North Carolina in 1972. IGFA records can change over time, so check igfa.org for the current listing. All records →
Where to find them
Surf, inlets, open water, and bays
Season
Late spring through fall in temperate waters
Best baits & lures for Bluefish
Cast metal and topwater into breaking fish. Use a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader - their teeth cut light line.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Bluefish when conditions line up.
Ways to catch Bluefish
Catch to table: Bluefish
Excellent eating when very fresh, but the oily flesh spoils fast, so it is best cooked the same day. Smaller fish, sometimes called snappers, are milder than large choppers.
Taste: Rich, oily, and full-flavored with soft gray flesh that firms and lightens when cooked. Bold enough to stand up to strong seasonings.
Cleaning: Fillet and skin, then cut out the dark central bloodline, which carries most of the strong fishy flavor.
How to cook it
- • Broil or grill fillets with lemon, mayonnaise, or a mustard glaze.
- • Smoke fillets and blend into a bluefish pate.
- • Bake with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil.
Tip: Bleed and ice right away and eat within a day; the oily flesh does not keep well.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch Bluefish
Book a Bluefish charter
Guides and charter boats that target Bluefish, by destination:
Catching Bluefish: FAQ
What's the best bait for Bluefish?
Proven options include metal jigs, topwater plugs, cut bunker, spoons. Cast metal and topwater into breaking fish. Use a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader - their teeth cut light line.
When is the best time to catch Bluefish?
Late spring through fall in temperate waters. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Bluefish?
Look for Surf, inlets, open water, and bays. Anglers target them at spots like Montauk, Cape Cod, Rockaway.