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NY, NJ, CT, RI Edition
September 01, 2009
Volume 20 � Number 9
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Nor'east Saltwater Online Magazine powered by:
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Beating the Blues
by Sean MacNeal
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Hopkins metal spoons are a time-tested
producer for bluefish. This lure, shown
with the author's Penn reel, loaded with
braided line, is still wet after
a morning dip.
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The rod tip goes up and over the shoulder, readying as a catapult, and then launching forward with power. The three-ounce Hopkins with feather tail and treble hook slices its way through the diving gulls, shimmering in the sunlight as it soars in the air. The lure disappears into the aquatic chaos and for a split second time stands still. That is until the line pulls tight, the rod doubles over, and just like that you’re tied in with one of the ocean’s fiercest fighters, pomatomus saltatrix, or, as it’s more commonly known, the bluefish.
There simply aren’t many better ways to spend a day. Considered a nuisance by some anglers, mostly those seeking different types of game fish like striped bass, other anglers become addicted to chasing the blues due to their well-earned reputation as water-based warriors, putting both angler and gear to the test with drag screaming runs, thrashing head shakes, and aerial acrobatics. Still, others await the spring and fall runs because bluefish hold a special place in the hearts of many anglers as the first saltwater species they harvested, taking them back to an earlier time when they literally became hooked on fishing for life.
However, although blues are well known for their voracious appetites and aggressive nature, there’s a method to their madness and better understanding that fury will help any angler regardless of skill level catch more fish.
Migration and Range
Bluefish are a wide-ranging species found all along the East Coast from Florida to New England, as well as in waters as far away as the African Coast and the Mediterranean. They are also highly prevalent in different coastal regions including bays, inlets, inshore, and offshore, where they make up part of the dietary chain of other species such as tuna and sharks.
Along the eastern seaboard, blues are typically found in Floridian waters during winter months and then begin migrating north in late March/early April as northern waters warm and baitfish also begin to migrate. Come October, the bluefish normally reverse course and make their way out of New England waters on their return trip south.
Blues will usually arrive in New Jersey waters in June during their northern migration and then make their way through again during October and November as waters cool.
However, smaller “snapper,” “cocktail,” and “tailor” blues can usually be found throughout the summer months in the back bay regions as well as inshore waters. Larger “gator” blues, meanwhile, can be caught further offshore during the summer months when they are believed to be spawning.
Location
Bluefish can be found all along the New Jersey coast in the midst of their migratory pattern, but are oftentimes drawn to the inlet systems throughout the Garden State, following tidal flows and baitfish fluxes. Two tried and true inlets include Townsend Inlet bordered by the towns of Sea Isle and Avalon as well as Barnegat Inlet, straddled by Long Beach Island and the sandy retreat of Island Beach State Park.
Focusing first on the Townsend Inlet area, among the best places to launch an assault are the 8th Street Jetty in Avalon and also the beaches lining the inlet in Sea Isle.
Avalon’s 8th Street Jetty is a fisherman’s delight, with a stable platform of poured concrete which includes rod holders notched directly into the foundation. As is often the case, schooling bluefish will push schools of bunker and other baitfish against the jetty, trapping the prey as the school demolishes their unfortunate victims until nothing is left.
The inlet beach of Sea Isle, meanwhile, is home to a prominent sandbar that bluefish will use to locate baitfish disoriented by the turbulent waters.
Further north, Island Beach State Park, Barnegat Inlet, and the tidal flats behind the state park are time-tested waters for landing blues.
The Setup
A preferred method when working for bluefish given the location and space is to use a two-rod setup with one stick used for soaking bait, while the other is used for working artificial lures like metal and swimming plugs.
For dunking bait, try going with a ten-to-twelve-foot spinning or conventional rod and reel combo, making sure the reel has a decent, working drag system. A basic, three-way swivel setup is one way to go about it, while a fish-finder rig is also a solid choice. As an additional bonus, both will also take stripers, which will often school with blues, but are many times shy of some of the store-bought bluefish rigs with their colored floats, spinners, and wire.
For bait, it’s tough to beat oily baitfish like bunker and mackerel. Simply chunk the baits and add to the hook and include enough weight to hold bottom. Because the bait rod is destined for the sand spike, try going with a circle hook in the 4/0 to 7/0 range, which will help with a hook set, while working the plugging rod. Be absolutely certain, however, that the drag is set properly or run the risk of a big blue pulling the entire setup into the wash!
The second rod should be in the eight-to nine-foot range and comfortable and light enough to spend the day casting and working the surrounding waters, while keeping a watchful eye on the bait rod for any action.
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Cut bunker chunks are ready for the hook
and are a top-choice bait for anglers stalking
blues in the surf.
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When seeking blues, every surf bag should include an assortment of metal like Hopkins, Kastmasters, Crippled Herring, and Deadly Dick’s. Spro and Andros bucktails tipped with strip baits are also deadly on blues. An assortment of plastic plugs, poppers, and soft baits will also work well, but are bound to get abused by the incredible and dangerous set of dentures that blues possess.
Additionally, when plotting for bluefish, it’s always a good idea to carry some wire leaders. This is especially true when blitz-like conditions occur and the fish are in a frenzy. Otherwise, mono in the 40-to 60-pound class should suffice and won’t spook other wire-shy species.
Working the Water
Like fishing for almost any species, it is important to locate structure in the water or some type of variation that will draw baitfish and, in turn, predators. To improve your success, learn to read the beach and be able to find cuts and sloughs within the breaking wave pattern. Loosely defined, a slough is a deeper pool of water that forms between two breaking wave systems. In other words, there is an outer bar of breaking waves, a cut of deep water (the trough), and then an inner bar of breaking waves. In this scenario, bluefish will cruise the slough devouring baitfish that have become disoriented by the initial, breaking waves. A well-placed cast in this area will surely produce if blues are in the area.
Remember to work the entire water column from top to bottom, as the yellow-eyed demons will forage high and low in hopes of a meal. Also, be sure to work any artificial lure all the way up to your feet as the highly aggressive bluefish will often chase prey into the shallowest of waters.
Although blues can often be found at almost any time of day and during any tide, try to time your trips when a high tide coincides with lower boat-traffic conditions such as early morning/late evening in order to minimize pressure on the fish.
Eyes on the Skies
Without question, one of the easiest and most productive ways to locate and catch bluefish is to keep an eye on the airspace up and down the coast looking for diving birds, which oftentimes is a dead giveaway on the whereabouts of predatory fish.
Gulls and gannets, among other birds, are a fisherman’s best friend in helping locate fish. When a school of blues is working over a school of baitfish the frenzy will result in pieces of the prey drifting along the surface, resulting in a floating smorgasbord for opportunistic birds. So, if the birds are diving, get there fast and be sure to carry a pair of decent binoculars for added vision.
Bluefish Bonus
During the summer months, small snapper blues are abundant in the back bay waters throughout the state and are a great way to introduce the future of fishing to the sport. Given the chance, take a kid fishing. A simple, ultra-light tackle setup is all that’s needed. A freshwater rod and reel is a solid choice and is manageable for the young ones. Terminal tackle only need be a small float or bobber coupled with a small hook and piece of bait. The non-stop action that often results will be priceless and help introduce anglers for years to come.
Dinnertime
Although food critics will often turn their noses up at big bluefish, complaining of their “gamey” taste, smaller blues in the two to five-pound range prepared properly are nothing short of delicious. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with catch-and-release, try keeping a few of the tasty-size blues for the table and go with the following recipe for some fantastic eats!
Pat’s Panko Blues, Courtesy of Patrick MacNeal
For prep you’ll need (please note that the amount will vary depending on the size of fillets):
Bluefish fillets
White onion slices
Roasted red pepper slices
Flour
Eggs
Panko breadcrumbs
Three containers (Tupperware or otherwise)
Aluminum foil
A baking sheet
Instructions:
Fill one container with flour, a second with beaten eggs, and a third with Panko bread crumbs. Season the fillets with salt and pepper (to taste). Dredge the fillets in flour, shaking any excess off. Then coat the fillet in the egg wash and dredge the fillets in the Panko bread crumbs until completely coated. Depending upon taste, feel free to spice up things by adding garlic salt, Crazy Jane’s Salt and/or Old Bay seasoning.
Place a sheet of aluminum foil onto the bottom of the baking sheet. Coat the bottom lightly with olive oil, then place the fillets onto the baking sheet. Cover the fillets with the slices of onion and roasted red peppers. Drizzle olive oil over the fillets and veggies. Place into a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked through (cooking times will vary depending on the size and thickness of fillets).
To create a deeper crunch, brown the prepped fillets in a skillet with olive oil over medium-to medium-high heat prior to placing in the oven.
Enjoy with a beverage of choice!
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