Here Come the Yellow-Eyed Demons
As the Northeast waters warm, a formidable predator returns: master bluefish fishing behavior . Known for their aggressive feeding frenzies and powerful fights, these yellow-eyed demons are a thrill for any angler. Lets dives into bluefish behavior, the best gear to tackle and withstand them safely, and even their surprising benefits for you and your pets.
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There’s a moment, usually early in the morning or just before dusk, when the ocean seems to come alive. The surface churns. Baitfish leap in every direction. Gulls scream overhead. That’s not just a feeding event — it’s a full-blown assault. The culprits? Bluefish. Yellow-eyed, razor-toothed predators that move through coastal waters like a pack of starving wolves.
- Set the scene: the surface explodes, bait showers into the air — and bluefish are back.
- When they show up, the blood, the boils, and the brutality aren’t far behind.
Every Spring, Summer, and Fall those who master bluefish fishing understand these migratory bruisers storm the Northeast. They bring chaos, shattered lures, screaming drags, and some of the most thrilling inshore action available to anglers. If you’ve never felt the jolt of a ten-pound blue inhaling your topwater plug at full speed, you’re missing one of the most violent thrills in saltwater fishing. Uncover and master bluefish fishing: behavior, gear and pro tips.
How Bluefish Hunt in Packs
Bluefish are notorious for their wolf-like pack behavior, marauding through schools of baitfish with razor-sharp teeth. Their feeding frenzies can make the water boil, creating an adrenaline-pumping experience for anglers. Bluefish devour schools of baitfish keeping them in a tight bait ball, attacking when hunger hits.
- Bluefish are known for:
- Hunting in aggressive wolf-pack schools
- Corralling bait into shorelines or surface zones
- Triggering visible surface feeding frenzies (“water boils with silver spray”)
- Bait fish willing to beach themselves to get away become Seabird feast.
- Feeding strategy:
- Blitz-style, fast strikes
- Gut-ripping aggression (often kill more than they eat)
- Prime times: tides, light levels, seasonal shifts
Unlike many gamefish that hunt solo or in loose groups, bluefish operate with precision and aggression and in packs. They move in tightly coordinated schools, herding bait into balls or forcing them to the surface. The carnage begins when the bluefish decide to eat, the attacks are fast and furious, many times a frenzy develops and the water boils.
When they hit, it’s not a nibble — it’s an ambush. Bluefish often tear through a bait school with more violence than purpose, killing more than they consume. It’s not uncommon to find stunned or shredded baitfish in the aftermath of a blitz. Anglers often describe it as “the water boiling,” and it’s one of the clearest signs you’ve got a school of bluefish working just beneath the surface.
This blitz behavior often happens around rips, jetties, inlets, and even open beaches. You’ll see birds working over the activity and slicks forming from the oils of crushed bait. When you see it, you cast. And hold on.
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Why Finesse Fishing Fails: “Bluefish Destroy.”
If you’re going to chase and battle bluefish, those who master bluefish fishing leave the delicate tackle at home. These fish will shred your finesse gear and bite through light fluorocarbon in an instant. This is not a game of subtle presentations — it’s about durability, noise, and speed.
If you’re not throwing something dent-resistant, you’re donating tackle.
If you do not care about having your lures destroyed quickly, You can use soft rubber and soft plastic lures and have success catching bluefish, delicate freshwater lures will catch bluefish but when these bruisers are biting, they hit hard and will destroy dainty and soft baits.
Pro Tip: The Surfcasters Beach Fishing Bluefish Dilemma: If you value your time fishing and catching vs tying BIT-OFF or destroyed gear and cursing a lost fish use durable heavy duty tried and tested lures and tackle when targeting bluefish off the beach. Sometimes the bluefish will come in close to the beach and you will have a handful of times to toss to and even reach the bluefish. Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness, having a wire leader and a heavy duty lures at the ready is key, so when the blues come in close you will be ready to cast and catch a Yellow Eyed Demon.
What Are The Best Durable Lures for Bluefish?
When targeting bluefish, durability trumps finesse. Opt for metal lures like Dimond Jigs, and sturdy topwater options that can withstand their powerful bites. Remember, these fish will destroy flimsy gear in seconds.
Best Gear For Mayhem
To Master Bluefish Fishing it is key to know what the best lures are for those yellow eyed demons. Hard metal-bodied or high-impact hard plastics are proven options. These lures are Time-tested, as they can handle extreme bluefish abuse:
Hard baits:
- Diamond Jigs with Surgical Rubber and A-47 Metals: These cast a mile and can be retrieved at speed. Their dense design holds up well to abuse.
- Kastmasters lures mimic seasonal baits like spearing, peanut bunker (juvenile), silversides, and so many more. Bluefish cannot resist fleeing baits.
- Hopkins No Equal: A Proven classics for a reason. Flashy, fast, tough, and mimics various baitfish.
- Resin Epoxy Jigs hard Lures these lures are so realistic to mimic sandals and small baits
- Deadly Dick Long Cast Silver
- Crippled Herring
Topwater Lures:
Top Water Lures will Splash, Loud, Many Rattle, they are nearly indestructible – Exactly what you need to call up an exciting surface strike. Your muscles and blood will be filled with adrenaline and get your emotions on tilt.
- Heddon Super Spooks Bone
- Rapala Skitter Pop 12
- Tsunami Talkin’ Poppers.
- Nomad Chug Norris
- Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper
- Loud, rattling, and nearly indestructible — exactly what you need to call up a surface strike.
Carolina Fishing Rig
A favored Bluefish Rig to fish live bait or cut bait is the Carolina Rig, many come with a snap swivel to change the hook and you can quickly attach a lure for a quick change depending on what is generating strikes.
Pro Tip: If targeting Bluefish insure your rig or lure has a wire leader, fluorocarbon or monofilament leaders will disappoint, as these toothy critters will slice right through anything else.
Pro Tip: If your live baits are (not alive) or motionless, or if the cut baits you are using is not fresh, and the bite is off: Lures can out perform the real bait offering. Bluefish can be finicky if you know they are there change your offering until you get hit. Exception: During a frenzy you can toss a plain hook covered with aluminum foil and generate a strike.
Pro Tip: Fish Act just like Cats, They cannot resist prey that is escaping noisy, and flashing. Bluefish and most predator fish react the same way to Noisy, fleeing, splashing and flashing prey the same way a cat reacts to feathers or a laser red light. Feathers, Flashy Shine, and Fast Action Will generate Reaction Strikes.
You’ll also want to upgrade your terminal gear. Use wire leaders. Crimp connections or high-strength snaps prevent bite-offs. And expect to retire gear faster — Under 15lbs?bluefish don’t just test your tackle, they tend to ruin it.
What Are The Hardest Fighting Inshore Gamefish Under 15lbs
Caution! Bluefish possess one of the strongest bite forces among inshore species. Their sharp teeth can cause serious injuries, so always use tools like hook fish lip grippers, hook extractors, and lots of rags, when handling them.
Bluefish are widely recognized as one of the most aggressive, hard-pulling inshore species. Their initial hit is explosive, and their runs are violent and fast. Unlike fish that tire easily, bluefish will surge repeatedly, often jumping, thrashing, and rolling mid-fight. Fisherman who master bluefish fishing value the fight and stamina of a good bluefish bite.
- Bite power:
- Ask any surfcaster — if you hook a 10lb bluefish, you’re in for a street fight.
- Bluefish have one of the strongest bite forces per size inshore (~5–7 lbs/in²)
- Razor-edged, triangular teeth — evolved for slicing, not just gripping
- A Bluefish’s Frantic Wild Thrashing Tears prey and Terminal Tackle Apart
Bluefish are equipped with a row of sharp, triangular teeth not unlike a barracuda. Designed for slicing, not crushing, these teeth make clean cuts through baitfish, lines, and — if you’re not careful — your fingers.
Their bite force is considerable relative to size. While scientific studies estimate it around 5–7 pounds per square inch, the real danger is in the speed and shape of their jaws. They don’t clamp; they slash. A startled bluefish flopping on deck can cause serious injury with a single snap.
Essential Tools for Handling Bluefish Safely
When you master bluefish fishing it is paramount to know how to handle Bluefish safely, always use proper tools. A rag over the tail and a boga grip or fish clamp up front gives you control. Long-nose pliers or dedicated hook removers keep your hands away from their jaws while removing hooks. Never, under any circumstances, try to “lip” a bluefish — even small ones.
If you’re targeting bluefish, keep the following close at hand:
- Essential Tools To Control, Subdue, Remove Hooks and Handle or Release:
- Boga grip or fish grabber
- Hook remover or long-nose pliers or hemostats
- Towels, Rags. or gloves for tail control, Fish are Slippery
- Safety tips:
- Always use long-nose pliers, long hemostats, or hook extractors to remove hooks
- Have Rags or gloves ready to handle, bluefish as they become wild when caught
- Boga grips are ideal for subduing and landing a thrashing fish
- Lip / Mouth control is fish control and minimize injuries by controlling a wild blue,
- Most injuries happen when the fish is being landed beware the hooks attached to the lure, and the sharp teeth.
- Never lip a bluefish by hand — even a dead one
Why Bluefish Frustrate Some Anglers
Many fisherman do not enjoy constantly connecting with Bluefish, they can be considered a nuisance. They tend to be the first to hit your offering, steal your baits, especially when targeting other species like Stripers, Fluke or Porgy.
This is the reason why you need to have the tools to land, control and de-hook bluefish for a quick release.
The anglers who consistently lands bluefish needs to be prepared always.
Bluefish Trouble With Treble Hooks
Beware a hooked bluefish especially when using multiple treble hooks on your lures.
When targeting Bluefish the use of treble hooks can hook more than the fish. Blues go nuts when hooked, the fight is insane and they thrash with reckless abandon.
When you are trying to land and de-hook one of these wild critters you must take special care to subdue the bluefish before you attempt to remove the hooks.
A Boga Grip attached to the bottom jaw of a bluefish will control the dangerous mouth and teeth. Strong fish will continue to thrash about but will be considerably less dangerous. A long de-hooking tool is essential to quickly free deep set hooks in the mouth, throat, and body of the bluefish. Good control of the fish helps insure you do not get hooked yourself during this process. Insure you have the proper tools identified above to land, handle and de-hooking these wild fish safely, avoid accidents, it is easy to find yourself needing First Aid.
Pro Tip: I cary specific bluefish lures that normally have treble hooks and replace them with single hooks or just leave one treble hook and remove multiple treble hook lures such as many topwater lures have. Many times a lure can be used for Striped Bass and Bluefish alike as they eat the same prey. In this case I will have two lures of the same kind.
One lure for bass keeping the lure as-is, and the second lure with the trebles removed or just leaving one treble on the tail end of the lure. Or I replace the treble hooks with one single hook on the tail of the lure. having one single hook makes release of the bluefish easier, and safer. Many times a larger lure equipped with a single hook can act like a gaff handle and help in the handling and release of the fish, always be careful not to hook yourself or get nipped.
Bluefish First Aid Kit Essentials
If you or anyone in your party gets injured while handling a bluefish or while fishing always have a First Aid Kit nearby. And plenty of clean rags or towels to help control the bleeding.
A Serious Captain or Fisherman always is ready for the unexpected. Since injuries do happen it is prudent to have a well stocked first aid kit on hand and stored in a waterproof bag or container.
Blues Love to Shred Baitfish
Bluefish have a diverse diet, often gorging on a variety of in season baitfish. Their voracious appetite contributes to their aggressive behavior and feeding frenzies.
Part of what makes bluefish so aggressive is their opportunistic diet. They’ll eat almost anything, but they have favorites — and these preferences influence when and where they strike, and what to use when targeting them.
What Do Bluefish Eat?
Typical baitfish prey includes:
- Menhaden (Bunker) – Often the primary target during blitzes
- Mullet – Especially common in late summer and fall
- Sand Eels and Spearing – Small and fast, often chased in clear water
- Bay Anchovies and Silversides – Especially during nearshore frenzies
Juvenile bluefish (snappers) will also attack shrimp, small crabs, and cut bait. In other words, if it swims, flashes, or flutters, a bluefish will try to kill and eat it.
- Bluefish Common prey:
- Menhaden/Bunker
- Mullet
- Sand eels
- Spearing
- Bay anchovies
- Snapper blues will eat shrimp and small crustaceans especially when molting
Pro Tip: When fishing for Bluefish and you spot a Bunker Schools, always carry a Weighted Treble Hook. I use a dedicated Rod and Reel Set-up and rigged with a wire leader and a weighted treble hook at the ready to toss into the school of bunker. Just cast into the school of bunker, and with a sweeping motion quickly retrieve, reeling in quickly.
The goal is to snag a bunker, you can retrieve the bunker for the live well or to use as chunks. If bait is not needed, I prefer to leave the bunker in the water, swimming in distress and bleeding, keep the line tight so the hook does not fall out. Just be ready for that Alligator Bluefish to target and attack the distressed live bunker. Set the treble hook when he has had time to chomp the bunker and get hooked.
Do You Like Eating Bluefish?… If Not, Your Dog or Cat Will Love It
While not everyone loves bluefish yellow eyed demons on their plate, bluefish are a superfood rich in omega-3 fatty acids, making them excellent for pets. Your Pet will love the white and dark meat, it is oily, and can have a strong-flavor just what your fur baby loves.
Forget the Puppy Chow or Any other Store Purchased Dog or Cat Food. When Bluefish are in season, you should think of your furry friend and the fact that most all dogs and cats will devour bluefish. In my opinion to Master Bluefish Fishing it is important to know how to prepare it and understanding the health benefits is key.
These nutrients promote a healthy coat and overall well-being for dogs and cats.
The secret is to fillet them well, insure you remove all the bones and cook just a few minutes on each side on the BBQ and you have a feast for your four legged friends.
- How I Prepare Bluefish:
- I only harvest young cocktail size blues for the table.
- I usually BBQ, and sometimes Smoke, Bluefish when preparing
- A Bacon Double Blue Burger With Cheddar Cheese on a Toasted Bun is Delicious
- The larger fish are much more oily, have a stronger flavor, I save those for my Four Legged Friends.
Your Pets will Love Eating Bluefish:
- Dogs and cats LOVE Bluefish!
- Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA
- Benefits Of Bluefish:
- Fish Oil Promotes a Healthy coat
- Omega3 Fatty Acid, EPA is Great for Joint health and Inflammation
- Helps with Arthritis and Hip Issues
- Omega 3, DHA will help fortify the brain, eyes, and membranes
- Helps Fortify and build strong Immune response
- Bluefish are a high-quality protein and marine fats ideal for working active dogs, or even your lazy fur baby
- Insure you use portion control when feeding your pets
How to Prep Bluefish for Pets
- Filet the bluefish removing the skin
- Insure there are no bones in the meat.
- I create 5-6oz portion sizes depending on your dog size I have 80lb Boxers
- I place the fillets in ziplock bags and freeze for later use (Defrost as needed)
- I will keep a bag of fillets in the refrigerator for immediate or within 48 hrs.
- I BBQ Bluefish Outside, as the smells can annoy some members of the family
- I either use a tin foil tray or make one using Aluminum foil
- I coat the tray with either butter or olive oil and set my filets on top
- I grill each side for ~1 to 2 minutes and set aside on a plate to cool
- I mix the bluefish with their favorite kibble
- They devour their meal when bluefish is added.
Cooked bluefish is flaky and must have the (bones removed). The cooked fillets can be added to your dog’s regular food or portioned into frozen treats.
You’ll notice improvements in your pets coat, as it will shine, skin condition will improve, and even behavior in some pets. Just avoid feeding raw or heavily seasoned meat.
Final Cast: Why Bluefish Deserve More Respect
Chasing bluefish is not about finesse. It’s about timing, reaction, and hopefully controlled chaos. When the water erupts and your lure gets hammered ten feet from the boat, or a short cast off the beach, you feel alive in a way that’s hard to explain to non-anglers.
As a kid I experienced a Bluefish Blitz and was hooked ever since (Pun Intended). My goal back then was to master bluefish fishing.
They’re not glamorous, and they’re not everyone’s favorite table fare — but for the angler who craves an amazing fight, the speed, and the unpredictability of real saltwater action, bluefish are exactly what the summer was made for.
Pro Tip: When chasing Bluefish on a beach or on the water in a boat, Use the (Wayne Gretzky Method)
The Wayne Gretzky Method: When asked what was his secret to scoring so many points he said “I don’t chase the puck I skate to where the puck is going”.
If you see a school of bluefish and on foot or in a 4×4 run or drive to where they are going so you get there when they arrive, or if on the water Running and Gunning success is to motor ahead in the direction to where the fish are going and cut the engine and cast into the arriving school of fish.
Pro Tip: When On a boat – NEVER MOTOR ThROUGH THE SCHOOL OF FISH!!!! Flank the school and if others fishing use the leap frog method of chasing the school Master Bluefish Fishing.
Pro Tip: If you find a school of Menhaden aka Bunker quietly creep up and position your boat outside the bait ball / school. Trolling motors work well in this situation. Position the boat outside the school and cast into the fish Insure you (KILL YOUR GAS MOTOR), as Bunker will dive and scatter when boat motors are near. A Motor will kill a good Topwater Bluefish bite when they have corralled a school of prey. These are the best opportunities to experience a Feeding Frenzy.
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- I encourage you to get out on the water and target the Blues:
- Please share your bluefish stories, photos and Social Media links.
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Pro Tip: Intercept Fish and Increase your chances of catching fish consistently. This Guide can help you catch more Grab your Free Copy of the Annual Striped Bass Migration Guide
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