
In Florida, the most popular live baits are shrimp and pilchards.
BEST BAIT FOR BLUEFISH HOW TO
How to Successfully Catch Bluefish on Live Bait However, once they get close, throwing out a spoon or a Creek Chub popper in front of the school will give you an excellent opportunity to land a fish. If you’re sitting on the beach, you’ll typically be able to see the school coming as a dark spot in the water, and the baitfish the bluefish are chasing will be jumping out of the water to evade them. Look for water that looks like it’s boiling, diving birds, or rolling water to help you locate the fish. The biggest challenge in using artificial lures is finding the bluefish. Then, as they swim, you’ll work your lure across their path and hopefully trigger a bite. Once you’ve located a school, cast your lure beyond and ahead of the bluefish, whether from the beach or in your boat.

While bluefish aren’t picky eaters, the lure needs to flash and move like a baitfish.īluefish are sight feeders, so working lures across their path is key to using artificials. The most crucial consideration in choosing an artificial lure is that it mimics a baitfish. How to Catch Bluefish with Artificial Lures In Florida, most bluefish are only around three pounds, but as you go north, they get larger, with the world record bluefish sitting at nearly 32 pounds. Bluefish range from the Gulf of Mexico up the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to Maine.īluefish tend to school with others of the same size. They aren’t picky eaters and will strike anything from frozen cut baits to wooden plugs. These can help catch bluefish and pelagic species and can be a great use of your time when searching for bluefish schools.īluefish travel in schools, usually numbering between six and fifteen fish. Once set up, you’ll troll the lure behind your boat, generally between 6 and 9 knots. Pre-rigged ballyhoo is a great option to purchase and get a rig together quickly if you don’t want to make your rigs.
BEST BAIT FOR BLUEFISH PLUS
On the plus side, while trolling for bluefish, these skirts entice bites from sailfish, dolphins, and other pelagic species as well.Īfter you’ve run your preferred leader through the skirt, you’ll attach a bait to the hook and then pull the bait right into the skirt. Unfortunately, you won’t get any use out of it outside of trolling, and only large bluefish like those on the Atlantic Coast will take it. Since it’s a skirt, you’ll need to attach both a leader and a bait to make it the best bluefish lures. The 3D eye and hairs help make the baits seem to be swimming and alive instead of a quickly moving dead fish. It flares and moves when trolled, and the weighted head keeps the bait under the water. The hair skirt on the lure is designed to be a visual teaser underwater. Best Bluefish Trolling Lure: Hair of The Dog Trolling Lure.Best Soft-Plastic Bluefish Lure: Dr.Fish Soft Plastic Swimbait.Best Budget Option: Capt Jay Fishing Bucktail Jig.Best Surf Fishing Lure: Creek Chub Striper Strike Fishing Lure.Best Premium Option: Rapala X-Rap Saltwater Fishing Lure.Best Overall: Crocodile Spoons Silver Color with Treble Hook.How to Successfully Catch Bluefish on Live BaitĬheck out the best bluefish lures for all types of anglers:.

How to Catch Bluefish with Artificial Lures.Crocodile Spoons Silver Color with Treble Hook.Here we will be giving you six of the best bluefish lures on the market, whether you’re surf fishing, trolling, or chasing down schools.

Flashy lures with jerking actions are essential since they move like the small fish bluefish feed on. The best bluefish lures either mimics the baitfish bluefish schools follow or are irresistible for them. Using the right combination of lures can make a difference in fighting fish for hours or only getting a few bites. It has the ideal weight and shape balance, making it a handy fishing tool if you’re a big fan of fishing in shallow waters.”īluefish are popular game fish from the Gulf of Mexico up the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. “If it’s a surface lure you’re looking for, the Creek Chub Lure might be it. Plus, the rattling sound makes it hard for the fish to resist a bite.”īest Surf Fishing Lure: Creek Chub Striper Strike Fishing Lure (click to see) Its unique holographic inserts allow it to reflect and flash properly underwater. “No other lure mimics baitfish as effectively as the Rapala X-Rap. Its clever treble hook design is intended for a sure snag, increasing your chances of catching bluefish.”īest Premium Option: Rapala X-Rap Saltwater Fishing Lure (click to see) “If you’re looking for the most consistent saltwater lure, you’ll find great value in the Crocodile Spoons. Best Overall: Crocodile Spoons with Treble Hook (click to see)
