Adventures In Fishing

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Adventures in Bluefishing

These ferocious fish take up residence in Long Island waters from May until October, and they'll will attack just about anything when they are feeding -- even people. I've heard stories of bathers being bitten by them, and as anyone who has ever caught a bluefish knows, they have sharp teeth.

Bluefish are loads of fun to catch. They give you a great fight, especially on light tackle. Pound for pound they are one of the best fighting fish there is. Baby bluefish, those measuring 4 to 10 inches are called snappers. When they're between 10 inches and 3 or four pounds they're called cocktail blues. From four pounds to ten pounds, they are called bluefish. Those larger then ten pounds are often referred to as gorilla blues or alligator blues. They can actually get as large as four feet, although the biggest one I've caught is 38 inches. I caught it on a bunker chunk.

You can catch bluefish using a variety of techniques. You can surf cast for them from the beaches using one of two methods. The first method is bottom fishing by casting a bunker chunk -- a whole bunker or squid -- and letting it sit on the bottom and waiting . You may even get lucky and catch a nice striped bass. An second method is to cast shinny lures such as diamond jigs, kastmasters or hopkins lures and reel them back in.

You can also jig for bluefish from a boat . Drop your lure to the bottom and then starting reeling it up. You usually don't have to reel the lure all the way up, but there have been many occasions when my lure was hit just a few feet from the surface.

You can also cast or troll for them. When trolling, don't forget to vary your speed and zigzag occasionally. Umbrella rigs work great here. If you are fishing for bluefish, you should use a wire leader or heavy mono. Otherwise the fish might bite right through your line and you'll lose your lure, which can become expensive. At times, you can even use wire line to get your presentation deeper.

It is not that hard to find bluefish feeding. An angler can usually spot birds diving into the water, feeding on the scraps of baitfish that the feeding bluefish leave behind. It is good to have a pair of binoculars on your boat and use them occasionally to look for feeding birds.

I've located birds many times, cruised over the that area and caught as many bluefish as I wanted. One thing that should be pointed out here is that when you locate a school of feeding bluefish, don't run your boat into the middle of the school -- you will scatter the fish. It is better to run up to the edge and cast into the school from that point. You usually can see which way the school is headed and position your boat so that they come right over to you. I guarantee that you will catch fish this way.

Don't forget to take children fishing with you when you go. Although it is sometimes hard for children to cast, they can still fight the fish after it is hooked by an adult. I know that given half the chance, they'll be trying to cast by themselves and get the lines all tangled, but have patience. I know I used to enjoy taking my son, Christopher fishing with me. I would really get a kick out of him fighting the fish. And when he landed one you could tell he was proud. But more importantly it gives you a chance to spend time with your son or daughter and that means alot to kids. In today's society, we are sometimes too busy to remember the importance this type of relationship is to a child. It also may get him or her involved in a sport that will last a lifetime.

As far as bluefishing is concerned, Port Jefferson Harbor and outside Port Jefferson Harbor are two of the best places to go. I used to lauch my boat at the town ramp just before daylight. The harbor would come to life at first light. The bunker would start breaking the surface and the bluefish would start to chase and feed on them. I would snag a few bunker, put a whole live bunker on a bluefish hook, and just drop it over the side. Before long, I would get a hit followed by a fight that I'll never forget.

I remember one time my cousing Dennis Hunt was fishing with me and he caught a gorilla bluefish that towed the boat from one side of the harbor to the other before he landed it. September and October is the best time for those gorilla blues in Port Jefferson Harbor. So get out there and give it a try later this year. I'll bet you catch one.

If you would like to go fishing with us, give ADVENTURES SPORTFISHING a call at (516) 929-6711. We have reasonable rates specializing in children and beginners. Experienced anglers can have a great time also. And remember- "Let's get kids hooked on Fishing...NOT on drugs!"

We welcome comments on this article and suggestions about subjects you would like to read about in the future. Email me at kelly@interport.net, or send your comments to ADVENTURES IN FISHING, PO BOX 531, WADING RIVER, NY 11792 or call us at (516) 929-6711.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR- Capt. Ray Kelly is a licensed USCG charter captain and producer of ADVENTURES IN FISHING, a weekly television show which aires in New York and Massachusetts. Charters are available in Shinnecock Bay and offshore out of Shinnecock Inlet for flounder, fluke, bluefish, weakfish, striped bass, tuna and shark.