Bluefish: Year-round open season. According to the NJDEP, bluefish are most abundant May through December. Pictured above is Roger Kastorsky with his state-record bluefish. Kastorsky reeled-in the 27-pound, one-ounce creature in 1997 off of Five Fathom Bank.
What is the best month to catch bluefish?
The best time of day to catch bluefish is from late evening through about 2 o’clock in the morning under most moon phases. The best season is typically mid-to-late summer through early fall.
Are bluefish running in NJ?
Bluefish along the New Jersey coast spawn between June and August. Spawning occurs primarily offshore, over the continental shelf when water temperatures warm to between 64 and 72 degrees.
When can you catch blue fish?
With many species, the best times of day to head out for the best catch opportunities are generally early morning and dusk, during low light conditions, or on overcast days. But bluefish can often be caught and landed at any time, opening up nearly unlimited possibilities for scheduling your time on the water.
What is bluefish season?
The fishing year runs from January 1 through December 31, and there are no specified management areas for the fishery; with NOAA Fisheries jurisdiction covering bluefish from Maine to Florida.
What’s the best bait for bluefish?
Best Natural Baits For Bluefish
- Bunker Chunks (aka menhaden or pogy)
- Live Bunker (for huge blues)
- Cut Mullet.
- Live Finger Mullet.
- Mackerel.
- Squid.
- Live Shrimp.
Are bluefish good eating?
Bluefish are an excellent source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B12, and omega-3s, and a good source of magnesium and potassium. There is a consumption advisory for bluefish due to contamination from mercury, PCBs, dioxin, and other chemicals.
Where can I fish for bluefish in NJ?
Best Places To Catch Them:
NJ Party boat fishing for bluefish are very popular all along the coast. From north to south the most popular areas are Atlantic Highlands, Shark River/Belmar, Brielle & Point Pleasent, Barnegat Light and Cape May.
How many bluefish can you keep in NJ?
2022 New Jersey Marine Fishing Limits
| Fish Species | Open Season | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluefish (Snapper) | Year Round | 3 per person 5 per person from charter vessel |
| Clam, Hard | Year Round | 150 Clams |
| Cobia | Year Round | 1 per vessel |
| Cod | Year Round | No limit |
What happened to bluefish in New Jersey?
In 2020, bluefish were declared overfished, and the daily catch limit was reduced to three fish for recreational anglers. Every April since I can remember, I have looked forward to the arrival of big spring bluefish. They are mean and lean, and bring outstanding fishing to the surf, inlets, and back bays.
Where can I target bluefish?
If you want to catch bigger bluefish, the ocean is the place to try. Very large blues can be caught at inshore lumps and wreck or reef sites, often well above the 10-pound class. Larger bluefish are often caught out in the ocean; this one was hooked at the Jack Spot.
Where do blue fish go in winter?
During the summer, bluefish are concentrated from Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and during the winter, most tend to be offshore and south between Cape Hatteras and Florida.
Where do you hold bluefish?
It can also help keep you safe. Use your leader as a point of contact when reaching down for the fish. Slide your hand down the leader and grab the fish at the back of the head, heading for the gill plate. Be careful: If your leader is too thin, it could slice your hand, too!
Can you eat bluefish raw?
Can You Eat It Raw? Fresh bluefish tastes delicious raw. Just add olive oil, a dash of salt and pepper, and savor the taste. It is also excellent with thinly sliced cucumber, a touch of cottage cheese, and a drop of lemon or two.
What temperature do blue fish like?
Optimum water temperature for bluefish is 68 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Anglers almost certainly will not find them in water above 84 degrees F or below 50 degrees F. Bluefish appear off the coast of Florida in late winter.
What is blue fish taste like?
The taste of bluefish is as “fishy” as you can get. Bluefish has a strong flavor with edible skin. The meat is moist so they need to be cooked or eaten fresh from the ocean or else they tend to go bad fairly quickly. Bluefish are generally eaten raw, baked, poached, or smoked.
Can you catch bluefish at night?
Bluefish seem to gravitate to the 80- to 100-foot depths during the nighttime hours, though they can really be found at any depth where there is an underwater ledge. Once the captain marks the bait and sets up a chum slick and the bite gets going, it rarely slows down.
Can bluefish bite through braid?
Braided lines are so sensitive that at times you’ll swear you can “feel” a bluefish just looking at the bait. They are also extremely soft and supple and enhance the presentation of a bait as it floats or sinks in a chum slick or as a live bait works its magic in the depths.
How fast should you troll for bluefish?
Ideally, slow the trolling speed down to between 1 1/2 to 2 miles per hour — the slower, the better.
What size bluefish should I eat?
½-to -pound fish
It is an oily fish, so they do not keep long, best eaten within two days of capture. It is a favorite fish among the locals. The best eating size is ½-to -pound fish, but larger fish are great to smoke and make an awesome fish dip.
Should you soak bluefish in milk?
Bluefish is characterized by a strong taste and somewhat fishy odor that can be balanced by soaking in milk or being prepared using citrus. It can be grilled, baked, broiled or smoked, but is best prepared as fresh as possible as it does not keep very long or freeze well.
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