Snappers, however, are not hardy fish-many don’t survive the catch-and-release process-so it’s best to have a plan for your catch, and stick to the limit only. You don’t have to be a saltwater angler to get into snappers, a lightweight freshwater rod will suffice, making these fish accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. “When you find a school of snapper blues,” said Elliott Taylor, a snapper expert with 20 years’ experience in both CT and RI waters, “the bite can last all day, and you don’t need any special tackle to catch a limit. They’ll strike at any lure smaller than themselves, making them a great target for young or beginner anglers and anyone looking for fishing fun on the saltwater. Late-season snappers reach at least 10 inches long before they migrate south in September, and are formidable opponents on a light outfit. ![]() They eat and grow at a remarkable rate, sometimes approaching nearly an inch per week. Snappers are young-of-the year bluefish, which become a “catchable” size of about 5 inches long when they invade our waters in late July and early August. Anyone familiar with juvenile blues knows the name comes from the fast and fierce snapping of the jaws, which can inflict an impressive finger wound from even the smallest fish. I’ve met anglers who believe snapper blues are their own species, and those folks were surprised to learn that “snappers” are simply baby bluefish. Today, the same excitement still thrills me when I feel one tugging on my spinning gear, fighting like a fish twice its size. There was no 10-fish limit back then, and a bucket full of snappers fed the family fried-fish dinners for several nights. ![]() ![]() Countless memorable days in late August, sunburned shoulders, casting from a jetty in Madison, CT near my grandparents’ house. When I think of snapper blues I think of my youth. In addition, if you plan to cook your catch, bleed the fish and then pack it in ice immediately to keep it fresh.Snapper blues are just about the perfect saltwater species to introduce new anglers to the exciting sport of fishing. Once you’ve caught bluefish, ensure that you place your hands away from the mouth area to avoid being bitten. Overloading the rod during fly fishing ensures that the casts are more productive. Fly anglers use 10 or 11-weight floating lines and 9-weight rods to catch them. Yes, you can fly fish for bluefish on flats. This is because they are quite aggressive and can do some damage if they bite you. Blue-greenish color with silver sides and white underbellyĪs you surf fish, you need to take extra precautions not to spook these bluefish blues.Identifying BluefishĪnglers can easily identify bluefish during saltwater fishing from the following characteristics: You should also watch the tide keenly bluefish come out to feed during the first hours of a falling tide. You can watch out for seabirds diving into the water, which could indicate there are large schools of bluefish in the area. This is important because bluefish become skittish around anglers casting lures. Finding Bluefishīefore you set out into the waters, check fishing maps and charts, use a fish finder or ask locals about the best places to fish. While most species are mostly available in the early morning and dusk, on overcast days and low light conditions, bluefish can be caught at any time of the day. Time of the DayĪn advantage of fishing this species is their high availability. Additionally, some large bluefish can be caught during surf fishing in the fall and spring. You should try the ocean in wreck or reef sites to catch larger bluefish. When salinity drops in the Bay area, bluefish migrate to saltier waters. ![]() If you regularly engage in saltwater fishing, you are more likely to get bluefish in waters with higher salinities. You will likely catch these fighting fish from May to October along the Mid-Atlantic coast and the Chesapeake Bay. However, they are migratory creatures and prefer to stay in areas with temperate waters between 45-80 degrees. They can also be spotted in the Atlantic Ocean and along the Gulf of Mexico. Distributionīluefish mostly appear in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, where they feed on blueback herring and striped bass. If you are unsure about where to begin, this guide will give you some important tips to help you catch fish. Before you set out on your next fishing adventure, you must know the popular places to find bluefish.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |