Saltwater · Spring through fall in New England; winter and spring off Florida
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Voracious, razor-toothed schooling predators that tear through bait schools in a surface frenzy. Bluefish hit almost any fast-moving lure and are a staple of New England surf and boat fishing.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Blue-green back fading to silvery sides and belly
- Broad, deeply forked tail and a stocky, compressed body
- Prominent sharp teeth in a single row — handle with pliers, never fingers
- Dark blotch at the base of the pectoral fin
- Look-alike: king mackerel is longer and slimmer with a more pointed snout and smaller, finer teeth
Habits
- Travels and feeds in aggressive schools that drive bait to the surface
- Feeds by sight in daylight, often in visible surface blitzes
- Eats far more than it needs — chopped bait and birds mark the school
- Migrates north in spring and south in fall along the coast
Distribution
Where to find them
- Surf troughs and beach points under diving birds
- Inlet mouths and rips on a moving tide
- Bait schools just offshore, by boat or kayak
- Pier ends and jetties where current sweeps bait past
Where they live
How to catch them
Casting metals into the blitz
Rig: Heavy metal spoon on a short wire or heavy mono leader
Bait/lure: 2-3 oz diamond jigs and casting spoons
Key tip: Retrieve fast. Use wire or 60 lb mono — teeth cut light leaders instantly.
Chunking with cut bait
Rig: Fish-finder rig with a 5/0 hook and a short wire leader
Bait/lure: Fresh bunker or mullet chunks
Key tip: Anchor up-current of the school and chum lightly to hold them.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 9-10 ft surf rod or 7 ft boat spinning rod
- Line: 20 lb braid or mono
- Terminal: Wire leaders, metal spoons, poppers
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 2-7 lb; large choppers 12-15 lb+
On the table
Good fresh — rich, oily flesh; best eaten the same day.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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