Anybody else targeting bluefish this year?

[bunnielab]

I have only ever caught blues in the 8-12" range, but they were bycatch while fishing for WP and on an UL rod they put up a hell of a fight. The spot I was catching them at seemed to hold them for a few weeks, but when ever I would head out there with a heavier rod to try and target larger ones, I would skunk out. Do the larger ones ever come far up the tidal rivers?

[RavensDfense]

Shameless plug (But at least it is relevant to the topic!)

[ReelLucky22]

I've only caught snapper blues before at Indian River Inlet from my dad's center console. I've watched the YouTube videos of the blue run at CHSP last spring and it has me very excited for the meet and greet. I'm thinking of making a camping trip out of it too. A decent blue on a yak sounds like fun ride!

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[sparky1423]

More bluefish footage from last spring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4kvMnJMTlU

[J.A. Veil]

I fished that area for 2.5 hours last May on a Tues morning. I had the area to myself. I trolled two lines from my Slayer Propel 10. I caught 8 bluefish in the mid-30s and had two fish on at a time on three occasions. That was quite a bit of excitement. Even pedaling hard, I was at the mercy of the blues - they took me where they wanted.

After those eight fish, all my wire leaders were damaged. I was content to call it a day.

[suicyderider]

awesome awesome awesome... I really wanna hit Jamaica Bay I didn't know about it or realize it was the same time every year until after our wedding was already complete lol now May 16 is forever my anniversary.. I managed to get it out of trout and hunting season and into the middle of yak season what was I thinking ... bahaha

I fished that area for 2.5 hours last May on a Tues morning. I had the area to myself. I trolled two lines from my Slayer Propel 10. I caught 8 bluefish in the mid-30s and had two fish on at a time on three occasions. That was quite a bit of excitement. Even pedaling hard, I was at the mercy of the blues - they took me where they wanted.

After those eight fish, all my wire leaders were damaged. I was content to call it a day.

[Delaware Paddlesports]

All,
Here is our Bluefish video from last year. Awesome time. We cant wait for this year.
https://vimeo.com/127252252

Thanks
Delawarepaddlesports.com

[yakscientist]

As for lures, what's the best bet? Do you also use cut bait? Like I said I've caught a ton live lining, and even trolling bucktails and swimshads targeting rockfish. I imagine shiny rat'l traps and spoons would be pretty good too?

[RavensDfense]

As for lures, what's the best bet? Do you also use cut bait? Like I said I've caught a ton live lining, and even trolling bucktails and swimshads targeting rockfish. I imagine shiny rat'l traps and spoons would be pretty good too?

Just about anything was working. I primarily used a 5 inch silver spoon tied to a piece of wire leader. They do a lot less damage to a piece of metal than a hard plastic. I also caught a few on a 6 inch storm swim bait, but they shredded it badly. It is basically one fish per bait. If they were down deep some guys caught them on vertical jigs or bucktails. They were schooled so thick you could easily see them on your fish finder, so it was just a matter of dropping it on their head when you ran over top of them. When they were on top and breaking, guys had a blast on topwater. Basically, like many other fish that are schooled up and feeding like they were last year, they'll hit anything. Trolling is a good way to locate them and then once you do, you can explore other methods.

[ComeOnFish]

Yak Scientist,
Did you say BLUEFISH? You didn't mention Tog and Flounder? ???
I will be fishing at CHSP from the end of April, probably 23rd.

Here are typical bluefish last year + Tog + Flounder (Romo caught some large weak fish too):

Joe

[suicyderider]

oh yeah CHSP April 23rd hmmm id be interested in the 24th I get off work at 8am the 23rd but I could be there the 24th no problem id love to have someone to show me around and fish with... I was planning to hit the Presque Isle Bay in Lake Erie but its cheaper to go to CHSP and catch salties thanks I definitely need some saltwater in my life asap.....

Yak Scientist,
Did you say BLUEFISH? You didn't mention Tog and Flounder? ???
I will be fishing at CHSP from the end of April, probably 23rd.

Here are typical bluefish last year + Tog + Flounder (Romo caught some large weak fish too):

Joe

[yakscientist]

Yak Scientist,
Did you say BLUEFISH? You didn't mention Tog and Flounder? ???
I will be fishing at CHSP from the end of April, probably 23rd.

Here are typical bluefish last year + Tog + Flounder (Romo caught some large weak fish too):

Joe

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Pretty excited to give it a go, might head over a time or 2 before the M&G, and will definitely post here if I do. Would love to go with a few people, because I'm not looking to paddle offshore alone, regardless of close proximity to the beach.

[jsnyd86]

This looks great! Will be making room on my calendar. Are wire leaders a must? Never used them, any particular size I should look for?

[J.A. Veil]

This looks great! Will be making room on my calendar. Are wire leaders a must? Never used them, any particular size I should look for?

I only fished for those large bluefish one morning last May. I started with three Eagle Claw wire leaders in 24" length and 45 lb strength. After catching 8 bluefish over 32", all three leaders were either gone or beat up. I think you stand a better chance of getting those strong toothy fish to the boat with a wire leader. Given the cost of riding to Delaware and fishing all day, a few more bucks for leaders is a small incremental cost. That is the only time I used wire leaders all year.

[willf650]

Anybody else targeting bluefish this year?

In January I put in my vacation days for the year. I took off the last two Friday's in April and the first two in May hoping for another bluefish run. From what I heard from others the CHSP bluefish action last year was a rarity. I certainly hope it repeats this year.


Leaders are a must and if the bluefish were the size they were running last year 45# are what I would go with. I was using 15-25# at first only to have the second fish on a leader make his way through it or have the snap blow open. I would also recommend a minimum of 6 leaders on board with you.

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