Bluefish are second only to stripers as popular gamefish in Vineyard waters. Since they have a tendency to eat everything in their path, catching bluefish can be easy when the schools are thick. Anglers from all over the island are sure gather wherever the bluefish show up in good numbers.

Blues arrive in our waters in May, and Memorial Day is traditionally a great time to find schools of feeding fish. The early runs of fish can be big, with fish of up to 16 pounds or so taken from shore on the Chappaquiddick beaches. Summer waters are populated with plenty of fish in the 3-4 pound range. Fall brings concentrations of migrating fish back to our waters, and the largest bluefish of the year are taken then, sometimes fish of up to 20 pounds. Bluefish can often be found feeding on top in an enourmous blitz, and these are the times that many anglers look forward to most!

Bluefish can be identified by their overall blue or green coloration, as well as jaws filled with razor sharp teeth (so be careful and use pliers to remove hooks from bluefish). Bluefish are good eating, and many anglers will keep one or two small fish, releasing the larger fish which have a stronger taste.

Bluefishing is a tradition on the island, and bluefish can be found almost anywhere, but the best places to look for the big ones are on the beaches of Chappaquiddick. The reefs and rockpiles of the North Shore, and especially Devil's Bridge and Gay head are other great spots if you have access to a boat. Smaller fish can be found everywhere in our waters, and the inlets often provide a good opportunity to find feeding bluefish.

Popular techniques for blues include spinning or casting with artificials including topwater plugs and metal lures. Trolling with wire produces many fish for boat anglers during the summer. Cut bait on the bottom works well on the North Shore, and many anglers also fish with live eels. However you fish, be sure to include a wire leader between your line and lure, to prevent the bluefish's sharp teeth from cutting you off. Fly anglers often catch blues incidentally while fishing for stripers, but some fly and light tackle anglers target blues specifically, especially when stripers are absent. Menemsha and Lobsterville Beach are good places for the fly and light tackle angler to find feeding bluefish, especially in late spring and early summer.

Bluefish are common fish, but perhaps not as common as they once were in our waters. Recent conservation measures seem to be working well, however, and the bluefishing has steadily improved in the past several years. Please call us and be sure to stop by the shop to get the latest info on the hot spots for bluefish. Tight Lines!