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.
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.
Where to catch Bluefish
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.