Bluefish
Bluefish are aggressive, schooling pelagic fish that provide exciting angling opportunities in New York's coastal and brackish waters.
These predatory gamefish are voracious predators known for their feeding frenzies or 'blitzes' where they attack baitfish schools at the surface.
Scientific Name: Pomatomus saltatrix
Also known as snappers (juvenile fish), gorilla gators (large fish)
- Characterized by their greenish-blue backs, silvery sides, prominent triangular serrated teeth, and distinctly forked tails.
- In New York waters, bluefish range from small 'snappers' (juvenile fish around 9-10 inches) to large 'gorilla gators' (15-20 pound fish), though they can reach over 25 pounds and live 12+ years.
Fishing in New York
Delaware River
East Branch Delaware River
Susquehanna River
Beaver Kill
Lackawanna River
Chenango River
Rondout Creek
Lehigh River
Tobyhanna Creek
West Branch Delaware River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found in Long Island Sound, New York Bight, Hudson River estuary up to brackish waters around Albany, and various bays and harbors.
- They migrate seasonally along the East Coast.
Key Locations
- Long Island's south shore, New York Bight, Hudson River from NYC to Albany, Croton Point, waters around Tappan Zee Bridge, New Hamburg, and Poughkeepsie.
Bluefish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Bluefish in New York?
Diamond jigs, spoons, poppers, swimming plugs, small surface poppers like Guides Secret Baby Bottle Pop, Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers, and Gag's Grabber Schoolie Poppers. Live bait such as bunker (whole or cut), anchovies, and spearing work well.
What flies work for Bluefish in New York?
Patterns like Clousers, Deceivers, foam poppers, or simple bucktail streamers - bluefish are not selective.
When is the best time to fish for Bluefish in New York?
Appear in New York waters from late April through November, with most productive fishing from late May through October, peak action August through September. Spawning period should be avoided for fishing (spring through early summer offshore).
How do you catch Bluefish in New York?
Trolling, casting, bottom fishing, and jigging. During blitzes, almost any moving lure will trigger strikes.
What do Bluefish eat?
Feed on over 70 species of baitfish, including menhaden (bunker), anchovies, silversides (spearing), herring, squid, butterfish, mackerel, and young striped bass.
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