Species
Bluefish Fishing Charters
Bluefish are aggressive schooling fish of the Atlantic coast, caught from beaches, inlets and boats. 105 captains and guides in 24 towns list bluefish. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the bluefish
Blue-green to greenish-blue back with silvery sides, a prominent lower jaw full of sharp teeth, and a black blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. The dorsal and anal fins are nearly the same size.
- Scientific name
- Pomatomus saltatrix
- Also called
- Baby blues, snapper, chopper, tailor
- Family
- Bluefish family (Pomatomidae)
- Typical catch
- Average 3 to 5 pounds; most Florida Gulf coast catches are under 3 pounds
- How big they get
- Up to 31 pounds and 39 inches; Florida state record is 22 pounds 2 ounces
- Where they live
- US East Coast from Maine to eastern Florida, moving north in spring and summer and south in fall and winter; also caught on Florida's Gulf coast
- Habitat
- Inshore and offshore coastal waters, favoring warmer water; travels in large schools of similar-sized fish that can cover tens of square miles. Young fish stay inshore in spring and summer, then move offshore in fall and winter.
- Diet
- Squid and fish, especially menhaden and silversides; eats almost anything it can catch and swallow, and is sometimes cannibalistic
- Lifespan
- Up to 12 years
- On the table
- Rich, full flavor that gets stronger in larger fish; coarse, moist meat. A dark, strong-flavored strip on the fillet may be removed before cooking. Some people find it a bit oily, so gut and clean fish as soon as you legally can.
Where
Where to catch bluefish with a charter
| Town | Captains listing it | Main months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Cod, MA | 17 | — | Report |
| Point Judith, RI | 9 | — | Report |
| Niantic, CT | 8 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Carolina Beach, NC | 8 | — | Report |
| Cape May, NJ | 7 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Hatteras, NC | 6 | — | Report |
| Ocean City, MD | 6 | — | Report |
| Gloucester, MA | 6 | — | Report |
| Portland, ME | 5 | Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Morehead City, NC | 4 | — | Report |
| Nags Head, NC | 4 | — | Report |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 3 | — | Report |
| Point Pleasant Beach, NJ | 3 | — | Report |
| Montauk, NY | 3 | Sep, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Portsmouth, NH | 3 | — | Report |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 3 | — | Report |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 2 | — | Report |
| Lewes, DE | 2 | — | Report |
| Destin, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Panama City Beach, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Sarasota, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Cocoa Beach, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Crystal River, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Dauphin Island, AL | 1 | — | Report |
Counts are captains who list bluefish, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about bluefish fishing
Things to know
- Handle with care: razor-sharp teeth and shearing jaws, and they can bite through monofilament line.
- Seasonal migrants: they move north as water warms in spring and summer and south in fall and winter; a strong winter run brings fish to Florida's east coast.
- Schools can attack bait at the surface in a 'bluefish blitz' that churns the water.
- Managed by NOAA Fisheries, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; most of the catch is allocated to recreational anglers. Check your state agency for current limits.
- As top predators they can build up mercury and PCBs, and some states recommend limited consumption.
How charters catch them
- Casting plugs, sand eel-type jigs, and squid- or mackerel-like lures into feeding schools
- Live bait such as pogies (menhaden), mackerel, or eels
- Cut bait, often with chum to draw fish in
- From boats or from shore; a wire leader keeps fish from biting through the line
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Bluefish questions
Are bluefish good to eat?
Yes, but the flavor is rich and gets stronger in bigger fish. Cleaning them quickly and trimming the dark strip of meat on the fillet gives a milder taste.
Do I need a wire leader for bluefish?
Florida's wildlife agency calls a wire leader a must, because bluefish teeth can cut through monofilament.
What is a bluefish blitz?
It is when large schools of bluefish attack baitfish at the surface, churning the water. It is a common sight during their seasonal runs.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
For captains and guides
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