Side by Side

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix

Typical: 14–26 in, 1–7 lb

Key field mark: 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.

• 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

Full Bluefish guide — season, gear and rules →

False Albacore Euthynnus alletteratus

Typical: 20–28 in, 5–12 lb

Key field mark: Worm-like scribbles confined to the back plus a few dark belly spots and a smooth UNMARKED lower body separate the albie from bonito, which carries straight slanted dark stripes onto its sides and has visible teeth.

• wavy, worm-like dark green-blue scribbles on the upper back only
• 3-7 dark round spots below and behind the pectoral fin
• lower sides and belly silvery and unmarked (no stripes)
• rigid tuna body with finlets before the tail; lacks scaly corselet markings of bonito
• small, inconspicuous teeth; deeply forked tail

Full False Albacore guide — season, gear and rules →

When Each Is Running July — current month highlighted

Where Bluefish and False Albacore Overlap

Both run in Northeast — that is where telling them apart actually matters.

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