Nearshore

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

Avg. Weight

8.0 lbs

Avg. Length

12+ inches

World Record

31.1 lbs

Found In

56 Destinations

About Bluefish

Bluefish are the most aggressive predator fish in the Atlantic — known for their ferocious feeding frenzies ("bluefish blitzes") where schools of hundreds of fish attack baitfish at the surface, chopping through schools like a chainsaw. Their blue-green back, silver sides, and razor-sharp teeth make them unmistakable. Bluefish are hard fighters on light tackle, with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. They are found from Florida to New England, migrating along the coast in spring and fall. Caution: their teeth can cause serious injury — use a de-hooking tool.

Identification & Appearance

Elongated body with blue-green back, bright silver sides, and white belly. Prominent lower jaw with extremely sharp, triangular teeth. Forked tail. Single row of sharp teeth in each jaw — handle with extreme care.

Male vs. Female

Males and females are identical in appearance and reach similar sizes. Bluefish are fast-growing and relatively short-lived (7-9 years).

Size, Weight & Records

Average catch is 2-8 lbs ("cocktail blues" or "snappers"). Quality fish ("choppers") run 8-15 lbs. Trophy bluefish exceed 15 lbs. The world record is 31 lbs 12 oz, caught in Hatteras, North Carolina in 1972.

Seasonal Availability

Peak Season Good Fair Off Season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Popular Bait & Fishing Methods

Best Techniques

Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.

Recommended Tackle

Medium spinning rod (7 ft), 4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon or wire leader (bluefish teeth cut fluorocarbon regularly — 40 lb+ or short wire bite leader recommended).

Regulations & Bag Limits

Regulations vary by state but typically include a minimum size of 12 inches and bag limit of 3-5 fish per person. Some states have seasonal adjustments.

Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.

Where to Catch Bluefish (56 destinations)

Atlantic Beach

North Carolina · Crystal Coast

Atlantic City

New Jersey · Jersey Shore

Barnegat Light

New Jersey · Jersey Shore

Beaufort

South Carolina · Lowcountry

Beaufort NC

North Carolina · Crystal Coast

Block Island

Rhode Island · Rhode Island Coast

Brunswick

Georgia · Georgia Coast

Cape Charles

Virginia · Eastern Shore

Cape May

New Jersey · Jersey Shore

Carolina Beach

North Carolina · Cape Fear

Charleston

South Carolina · Lowcountry

Chatham

Massachusetts · Cape & Islands

Chesapeake Beach

Maryland · Chesapeake Bay

Chincoteague

Virginia · Eastern Shore

Darien

Georgia · Georgia Coast

Fire Island

New York · Long Island

Freeport NY

New York · Long Island

Georgetown

South Carolina · Grand Strand

Gloucester

Massachusetts · North Shore

Greenport

New York · Long Island

Hatteras

North Carolina · Outer Banks

Hilton Head

South Carolina · Lowcountry

Jekyll Island

Georgia · Georgia Coast

Kiawah Island

South Carolina · Lowcountry

Long Beach Island

New Jersey · Jersey Shore

Manteo

North Carolina · Outer Banks

Martha's Vineyard

Massachusetts · Cape & Islands

Montauk

New York · Long Island

Morehead City

North Carolina · Crystal Coast

Murrells Inlet

South Carolina · Grand Strand

Myrtle Beach

South Carolina · Grand Strand

Mystic

Connecticut · Connecticut Coast

Nags Head

North Carolina · Outer Banks

Nantucket

Massachusetts · Cape & Islands

Narragansett

Rhode Island · Rhode Island Coast

Newburyport

Massachusetts · North Shore

Newport

Rhode Island · Rhode Island Coast

Norfolk

Virginia · Hampton Roads

North Myrtle Beach

South Carolina · Grand Strand

Norwalk

Connecticut · Connecticut Coast

Ocean City

Maryland · Ocean Coast

Old Saybrook

Connecticut · Connecticut Coast

Oregon Inlet

North Carolina · Outer Banks

Pawleys Island

South Carolina · Grand Strand

Plymouth

Massachusetts · North Shore

Point Pleasant Beach

New Jersey · Jersey Shore

Savannah

Georgia · Georgia Coast

Solomons Island

Maryland · Chesapeake Bay

Southport

North Carolina · Cape Fear

St. Simons Island

Georgia · Georgia Coast

Swansboro

North Carolina · Crystal Coast

Tilghman Island

Maryland · Chesapeake Bay

Tybee Island

Georgia · Georgia Coast

Virginia Beach

Virginia · Hampton Roads

Wilmington

North Carolina · Cape Fear

Wrightsville Beach

North Carolina · Cape Fear

Related Species

White Seabass

Nearshore

Triggerfish

Nearshore

Gag Grouper

Nearshore

Chinook Salmon

Nearshore

Fishing Guides & Tips

Bluefish Blog Posts

Expert tips, seasonal reports, and fishing guides featuring Bluefish.

View All Articles

Surf Fishing Atlantic Beach: Pompano, Red Drum, and Bluefish by Season

Seasonal Guide

Oct 30, 2025

Surf Fishing Atlantic Beach: Pompano, Red Drum, and Bluefish by Season

Atlantic Beach's wide sand flats and gentle surf produce pompano in spring, drum in fall, and bluefish almost year-round

Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

Seasonal Fishing

Oct 11, 2025

Tilghman Island Fall Fishing: Stripers, Bluefish, and the Chesapeake's Best Season

Fall transforms Tilghman Island into a fishing hotspot — migrating stripers and bluefish converge on the Eastern Shore

Tilghman Island, Maryland

Seasonal Guide

Oct 3, 2025

Fall Bluefish Blitz at Barnegat Light: Tactics for the October Run

When bluefish blitz the beaches near Barnegat Light each October, the action is fast and furious. Gear up properly and g

Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Species Spotlight

Aug 5, 2025

Nantucket Bluefish and Bonito: Fast Action on Light Tackle

Nantucket's summer waters teem with bluefish and bonito. These aggressive species deliver fast action and hard fights on

Nantucket, Massachusetts

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