What Is the Best Bluefish Bait?

Let’s Start With the Basics – What Type of Fish Is Bluefish?

Bluefish or Pomatomus saltatrix is a predatory marine fish that is characterized by its blue and green color on its sides and back. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Fishermen have to try hard to catch them since they are known to have aggressive feeding behavior and razor-sharp teeth.

They typically live approximately 12 years, and they can be almost 40 inches long. The average length is usually 12 inches. Since they are tough fighters, they are popular game fish, even though they can also be caught commercially. Grilled or smoked bluefish has a distinct and strong flavor.

Getting Ready to Catch Them – Here’s Where You Can Fish for Bluefish

Bluefish are generally found in coastal waters along the eastern coast of North America, from Canada down to Florida. You will find schools of them in the waters of states such as Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

They appear to swim in the Gulf of Mexico as well as in the Caribbean Sea. Follow some bluefish angling techniques, like focusing on targeting them in channels, reefs, and jetties.

Furthermore, they will avoid murky and fresh water when the temperatures are too low or high. Here are helpful bluefish fishing season tips on the fish migration patterns throughout the year.

What Kind of Feeding Habits Do They Have?

Bluefish are voracious and opportunistic predators that would feed on different types of prey. Their aggressive feeding behavior is very well known among fishermen and the feeding frenzies that happen when they feed on the baitfish have been recorded and posted on the Internet numerous times. It is truly a mesmerizing sight to see. They eat everything from crabs, shrimp, and squid to other fishes.

So, you get the idea why bluefish bait preparation is a must. Bluefish are particularly active feeders during the summer and fall months when they migrate along the coast in search of food. When feeding, bluefish often work together in schools to corral their prey and then take turns attacking from all angles.

With their sharp teeth, they can tear through the flesh of their prey, which allows them to feed quickly and efficiently. This means that various baits and lures would work because of their opportunistic bluefish feeding habits.

What Is the Best Bluefish Bait? Tips and Techniques for Catching Blues

Now that we know that blues feed on everything and anything, but they do it in an aggressive and quick way, we can begin to think about perfect ocean fishing baits. When there is no frenzy, the ideal technique is using live baits such as:

• Mullet,
• Shrimp,
• Squid,
• Ladyfish,
• Bunker,
• Mackerel,
• And eels.

However, when there is a frenzy you can catch numerous blues with a lure. But even the best bait for bluefish won’t help if you don’t know how to hook it properly. Here are additional tips and information.

How to Use Your Live Baits for the Blues?

It’s recommended that fishermen use big fish as fresh bait for bluefish. The greatest choices are eels or menhaden since they have an oily scent, and the blues will be attracted to them right away. Eel is a bit impractical for use since it has a different body shape, but menhaden can easily be used with a stinger hook.

Be careful about the choice of hooks since this fish attacks from all angles, and they can eat the bait without touching the hook. A stinger hook is successful when it comes to fish that attack from the rear.

The chosen blue fish bait needs to be hooked in the back, and it must not be put through the lateral line of your bait. If you do this, the bait will become paralyzed and useless. With a stinger hook, it’s recommended that you link it with a wire leader and hook it near the bait’s tail.

Will a Cut Bait for BluefishWork? Absolutely Yes, and Here’s How to Use Them

Apart from live ones, cut baits are also the best for bluefish fishing. They should be used when there is no frenzy. The scent attracts them, so there is no need for a frenzy. These effective bluefish baits need to be cut into chunks or filets.

Some of the ideal options include frozen or fresh bunker, mackerel, herring, and squid. The best hook you can use would be an extra sharp one so as to hook the fish right where you want it. However, be careful with sharp hooks since they can get hooked to your finger.

One effective technique is to rig the cut bait on a fish finder rig or a high-low rig. This allows your bait to sit on the bottom while the line remains taut, making it easier to detect bites. The great idea is to use a heavier weight to keep the bluefish bait in place in areas with strong currents. Incorporating bluefish chumming tips enhances your chances of success with cut bait.

Fishing With Dead Whole Baits Is Also a Great Option

Since bluefish are aggressive predators and any type of lure or bait when used in the right way, can work, you can also rely on dead whole baits. But what method is appropriate when fishing with them? Actually, there are a lot of effective dead whole baits for this type of fish, such as bunker, mullet, squid, and again, mackerel.

It’s important to rig the bait properly and that you present a natural-looking target. One of the best baits is the fish finder rig, which involves threading a sliding sinker onto the main line and then attaching a swivel and a leader with a hook to the other end. The dead bait can then be hooked through the lips or behind the head and cast out into the water.

Top Bluefish Lures Are the Ideal Option When You Want to Reel in Bluefish During Frenzies

Fishing lures are your top choice when there is a frenzy. Shiny spoons and lures will be detected by the blues very quickly. What surprises some fishermen is how fast the fish attack lures during frenzies. It can happen in almost every cast.

Lures are also the type of bluefish fishing gear that is easier to use during frenzies because fishermen can remove the fish quicker off a lure than off the bait rig. They typically strike any reflective lure, and you won’t have to worry about making a perfect choice. Also, don’t forget that speed is important and that these fish strike at moving targets.

Here are some of the recommendations for a variety of lures you can use for bluefish.

Best Bait for Bluefish Fishing – Tips and Techniques for Catching Bluefish

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge about the best bait for bluefish fishing, it’s time to start reeling in the blues. However, we’ve mentioned before that they are tough to fight, but still, there are some useful styles of fishing you can use when it’s challenging to finally pull the fish out of the water. Here are the best techniques you can use.

Casting and Retrieving the Best Lures

One of the most popular techniques for catching bluefish is to cast and retrieve the best lures, such as metal jigs, topwater plugs, and soft plastic baits. Varying the speed and depth of the retrieve can help trigger strikes from bluefish. So if you ever see a frenzy, just keep casting your lures and retrieving them since the fish will quickly notice the bait and strike.

Trolling With the Best Baits

Trolling involves dragging lures or bluefish trolling baits behind a moving boat. This is an excellent technique that many fishermen use when there is no frenzy. A vast area can be covered very quickly. The best trolling lures that you can use in this case are spoons and plugs, but at slower speeds, opt for jigs. Bear in mind that heavier tackle will be the most successful when trolling.

Drifting With the Best Bluefish Lures

Drifting involves using natural bait, such as live or dead baitfish while allowing the boat to drift with the current or wind. Since blues are attracted to live bait and its oily scent, you will not wait long to catch one.

Targeting Bluefish With Strategic Bottom Fishing

Bluefish can often be found near the bottom, particularly in areas with structures such as reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs. Bottom fishing with bait or jigs can be an effective way to target these fish.

Unlock the Thrill of Fly Fishing

Fly fishing for blues can be an exciting and challenging way to catch these hard-fighting fish. Make sure that you keep the fly in the water by blind casting. Even though there is no activity right away, the fish will eventually strike. The key is to move the fly fishing rod really fast.

Are You Ready to Tackle This Sea Fighter? Use Our Tips, and Success Is Guaranteed

Even though bluefish are very aggressive and sometimes challenging to tackle, many fishermen get hooked on the adrenaline rush when they start pulling the fish out of the water. No wonder this species is a popular game fish that makes fishing enjoyable and exciting. If you want to become a professional at catching them, we recommend using natural baits for bluefish like squid, bunker, ladyfish, and mackerel, but during frenzies, the lures would be the top choice. Finally, we wish you good luck on your next fishing trip!