The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 14–26 in, 1–7 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 39 in and 31 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 12 years |
| Range | Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida, pushing north through the mid-Atlantic and New England in spring and dropping back south in fall. |
| Habitat | Bays, estuaries, inlets and the beachfront surf, usually high in the water column behind bait. |
| Diet | Menhaden, silversides, mullet and squid, torn apart by fast-moving schools. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Bluefish
- blue-green back fading to silvery sides
- mouth full of prominent, sharp, flat triangular teeth
- moderately forked tail
- dusky blotch at the base of the pectoral fin
- two dorsal fins, the soft rear one long and low
Tell it apart: The single row of large, flat, razor-sharp triangular teeth in a heavy lower jaw is unmistakable and separates it from the small needle-toothed Spanish mackerel, which also wears gold spots a bluefish never has.
Easily confused with: Spanish Mackerel
Side by side: Bluefish vs Bonito / Atlantic, Bluefish vs False Albacore, Bluefish vs Spanish Mackerel
How to Catch Bluefish
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- Strong May through October - cast metal-lip plugs and poppers into surface blitzes or troll spoons, always using a wire bite leader.GearSurface poppersDiamond jigsWire leader rigs
- Strong June through October - cast poppers and metal into surface blitzes or troll spoons, always with a short wire or heavy bite leader.GearSurface poppersDiamond jigsWire leader rigs
- Best May-October - troll spoons and umbrella rigs along nearshore lumps and rips, or chunk bunker over structure for bigger choppers.GearTrolling spoonsUmbrella rigsWire trolling leader
When & Where Bluefish Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Atlantic Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Northeast Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Mid-Atlantic Nearshore |
Bluefish Regulations
VirginiaVirginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)MarylandMaryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating ServicesDelawareDelaware DNREC, Division of Fish & WildlifeNew JerseyNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife (NJDEP Fish & Wildlife)New YorkNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Marine ResourcesMid-Atlantic Fishery Management CouncilMAFMCAtlantic States Marine Fisheries CommissionASMFCConnecticutConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Marine FisheriesRhode IslandRhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Division of Marine FisheriesMassachusettsMassachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF), Department of Fish and Game / Mass.govNew HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and Game Department (Marine Fisheries Division)MaineMaine Department of Marine Resources (DMR)NOAA Fisheries (Greater Atlantic Region / New England-Mid-Atlantic)NEFMC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.