Blue Fish
Blue fish Fishing Expertise
The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is widely considered one of the most aggressive, voracious, and hardest-fighting predatory fish in the ocean. Often referred to affectionately (or fearfully) by anglers as "choppers" or "gators" when they reach large sizes, they are incredibly unique—in fact, they are the only species in their entire taxonomic family.
Here is a breakdown of what makes the bluefish such a legendary catch:
Appearance
The Teeth: The most defining (and dangerous) feature of a bluefish is its mouth. They have a prominent lower jaw equipped with a single row of stout, razor-sharp, triangular teeth that are perfectly designed for shearing through baitfish in a single bite.
Coloring: True to their name, they have a beautiful sea-green to steel-blue coloration on their backs, which fades down to silvery sides and a white belly.
Body Shape: They have a stout, muscular, and torpedo-like body built for incredible speed and sustained swimming. They feature a broad, powerful forked tail and a blunt head.
Habitat and Distribution
Global Nomads: Bluefish are a pelagic (open ocean) species found worldwide in temperate and subtropical waters. In the U.S., they are incredibly popular along the entire Atlantic coast, ranging from Maine down to Florida, and venturing into the Gulf of Mexico.
Highly Migratory: They are constantly on the move, traveling in massive schools. They migrate northward in the spring and summer as the water warms, and head back south for the winter.
Following the Bait: They are found anywhere their food goes, from deep offshore waters right up into the shallow surf zone. They frequently drive schools of baitfish straight onto the beaches.
Diet
Bluefish are infamous for their chaotic, hyper-aggressive feeding behavior. They are visually driven predators that will eat almost anything that moves, including menhaden (bunker), mullet, squid, and herring.
The "Blitz": When a massive school of bluefish traps a school of baitfish near the surface or against the shoreline, it creates a spectacular, churning feeding frenzy known as a "bluefish blitz." The water boils with splashing fish and diving seagulls. Bluefish are so notoriously vicious that they will often continue killing and snapping at baitfish even after their stomachs are completely full.
Size and Lifespan
Size: Bluefish go by different names depending on their size. Juveniles are called "snappers" (usually under a pound). Mid-sized fish are called "tailors." The massive, mature adults are the "choppers" or "gator blues," which generally range from 10 to 20 pounds. The world record is a massive 31 pounds, 12 ounces!
Lifespan: They grow quickly and live a fast-paced life, generally reaching up to 12 to 14 years in the wild.
Why They Are Popular
Pound-for-pound, many anglers consider the bluefish to be the hardest-fighting game fish on the East Coast. They hit lures with absolute savagery, make blistering runs, and frequently jump and thrash violently when hooked. They are also incredibly accessible, as surfcasters can often catch them simply by casting into the crashing waves from the beach.
Culinary-wise, the bluefish is polarizing. Because it is such an active, fast-swimming fish, its meat is dark and rich in oils, giving it a very strong, distinct flavor. To make it taste its best, a bluefish must be bled and put on ice immediately after catching. While it isn't usually the first choice for a simple pan-fry, that oily, rich meat makes it arguably one of the best fish in the ocean for smoking.