Although the lengths of bunker may vary, survival instincts remain constant. Since the predators seem to hone in on size more than any other trait when attacking, size is very important when selecting imitations. They can range from baits as small as an inch when very young to 3 pounds once they’ve reached maturity. Menhaden, commonly called bunker in Jersey, show up along the East Coast going north in spring and south in the fall. Many frenzies start with showers of baitfish fleeing skyward, causing white-water displays visible from a distance.
As the melee ensues, bluefish leave a prominent slick on the surface. Vanguard fish feed directly in the thick schools of bait, while others pick up wounded stragglers too weak to keep up with the baitball. With their strong, viselike jaws and sharp conical teeth, bluefish leave no doubt as to how they received the nicknames choppers and slammers.īlues travel in large schools as they hound schools of baitfish. Reaching weights of 20 pounds and more, they possess the speed and strength to easily run down their food.
This natural event is unforgettable in the mind of the fly-fisherman.īluefish are among the meanest and most feared inshore species along the waters of the Northeastern states. Within less than an hour, schools that were a mile off the beach are in the wash getting severed dramatically and aggressively by big bluefish. Fleeing to stay alive, the bunker schools often are pushed to the shoreline as the predators take total control. This is the beginning of what’s to come, as predator sport fish like bluefish and striped bass lurk behind and ready themselves for attack. Many of the first schools to arrive show up just off the beach, displaying their presence by rippling the calm surface with indistinct shapes. This can set up some incredible fishing, as well as some unforgettable visuals. When mature bunker schools move from Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay, very large bluefish harass them unmercifully, often driving them to the pristine shoreline of New Jersey.
Bluefish surf fishing rigs free#
Michael Marisa was out fishing the south jetty again today where he landed two more keeper flounder on the outgoing tide.Springtime and fall usually bring the clearest water of the season, and predominant offshore winds keep the water free of sediment that can discolor or cloud the view of the clear white bottom. It was a windy one out there, but Captain Jason put his anglers on keeper flounder, legal rockfish, some bluefish and even a sea trout.Īndrew Mercer found some spot in the Thorofare and then took them down to the route 50 bridge where he used them to land this beauty of a fat 29″ rockfish and release a few more. Things look to settle down pretty quickly after this front rolls through and the weekend looks very nice as of right now.Ĭaptain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break Charters was able to get his trips in before the weather got too nasty this afternoon. It was a windy one today folks……and got windier! I’m pretty certain that not many, if any at all, ventured into the ocean with today’s forecast, but we did have a few out on the bay today before the storms. Check out the video for the Daily Catch at Sunset Marina with Captain Mark Hoos!
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