Bluefish thread

[DarkSkies]

Everybody's favorite fish!! :laugh::laugh:

Post any facts, figures, pics of nasty bluefish bites or gashes, whatever ya want, long as it's bluefish, we wanna see it! :dribble:

[DarkSkies]

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

In the Atlantic Ocean, bluefish population levels are high and overfishing is not occurring. Following a decline of the blue fish stock, management measures implemented in 1990 have been successful in rebuilding stocks.
Bluefish are an excellent source of selenium, niacin, and vitamin B12, and a good source of magnesium and potassium. For more on nutrition, see Nutrition Facts. (USDA)
Bluefish is an excellent fish to eat and is marketed mostly fresh or smoked. The United States and Turkey account for the majority of worldwide bluefish catch.

[DarkSkies]

Sustainability Status

Biomass: (javascript:popUp('/fishwatch/mini_glossary.htm#biomass')) In the Atlantic Ocean, bluefish biomass is 95% of the biomass needed to support maximum sustainable yield. Biomass estimates are unknown in the Gulf of Mexico.
Overfishing: (javascript:popUp('/fishwatch/mini_glossary.htm#overfishing')) No (Atlantic); Unknown (Gulf of Mexico)
Overfished: (javascript:popUp('/fishwatch/mini_glossary.htm#overfished')) No (Atlantic); Unknown (Gulf of Mexico)
Fishing and habitat: (javascript:popUp('/fishwatch/mini_glossary.htm#fishingandhabitat')) The recreational catch of bluefish accounts for the majority of landings and has few impacts on habitat. In the commercial sector, gillnets are the principal gear used and account for approximately 40% of landings. Other gears used include hook and line, pound nets, seines, and trawls.
Bycatch: (javascript:popUp('/fishwatch/mini_glossary.htm#bycatch')) Approximately 60% of bluefish is caught with hook and line, which has relatively low bycatch rates. Bycatch for the other gear types used in the commercial sector ranges from moderate to high.
Aquaculture: (javascript:popUp('/fishwatch/mini_glossary.htm#aquaculture')) There is currently no commercial aquaculture of bluefish in the U.S.

[DarkSkies]

Science and Management

Bluefish are jointly managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission through a fishery management plan (FMP) implemented in 1990. The Bluefish FMP (http://www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/fmp/blue-a1.htm) was implemented to halt the decline of the stock and restore the population to sustainable levels. Current management measures include an overall annual landings quota in which 17% of the quota is allocated to the commercial fishery and 83% is allocated to the recreational fishery. The total commercial quota is divided into state specific quotas, and a portion of the recreational quota may be transferred to the commercial sector if recreational landings are predicted to be below the annual allocation.

[DarkSkies]

Life History and Habitat

Life history, including information on the habitat, growth, feeding, and reproduction of a species, is important because it affects how a fishery is managed.

Geographic range: Bluefish can be found in most temperate coastal areas throughout the world, except the eastern Pacific. Along the U.S. Atlantic coast, bluefish are found from Maine to Florida.
Habitat: Eggs are released into the open ocean. Larvae develop into juveniles near the surface in continental shelf waters and eventually move to estuarine and nearshore shelf habitats. Juveniles prefer sandy bottoms but will also inhabit mud, silt, or clay bottoms or vegetated areas. Adults use both inshore and offshore areas and favor warmer water.
Life span: Up to 12 years.
Food: Bluefish are voracious predators, feeding primarily on squid and fish, particularly menhaden and smaller fish such as silversides.
Growth rate: Fast.
Maximum size: Up to 39 inches and 21 pounds.
Reaches reproductive maturity: At age 2 and 19 inches in length.
Reproduction: Depending on size, fecundity (reproductive potential) has been estimated to range from 400,000 to 2,000,000 eggs.
Spawning season: Spring and summer.
Spawning grounds: Bluefish spawn in the South Atlantic Bight during the spring, and again in the offshore waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight during summer.
Migrations: Bluefish migrate seasonally with as water temperatures change. In the winter, large bluefish tend to remain in the Middle Atlantic Bight then move south to North Carolina by March. Small fish move farther south in winter; some spend the winter off the coast of Florida. As water temperatures rise, bluefish migrate back north in the South Atlantic Bight, and by summer, bluefish move further north into the Middle Atlantic Bight.
Predators: Sharks, tunas, and billfishes are the only predators large and fast enough to prey on adult bluefish. Oceanic birds prey on juvenile bluefish.
Commercial or recreational interest: Both
Distinguishing characteristics: Bluefish are blue-green on the back and silvery on the sides and belly. They have a pointed snout and a prominent jaw, with sharp, compressed teeth.

[DarkSkies]

Role in the Ecosystem

Bluefish make up a major part of the diet of shortfin mako shark (about 77.5%). Makos consume between 4.3 and 14.5 % of the bluefish resource between Georges Bank and Cape Hatteras. Bluefish are also very important in the diets of swordfish.


Additional Information

Market name: Bluefish
Vernacular names: Tailor, Snapper, cocktail, meduim, jumbo, gator, alligator, gorilla!!!

[DarkSkies]

Biomass

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/images/bluefish_thumb_bio.gif (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/images/bluefish_chart_bio.gif) Biomass refers to the amount of bluefish in the ocean. Scientists cannot collect and weigh every single fish to determine biomass, so they use models to estimate it instead. These biomass estimates can help determine if a stock is being fished too heavily or if it may be able to tolerate more fishing pressure. Managers can then make appropriate changes in the regulations of the fishery.

Biomass peaked in 1982 at 303,000 metric tons, declined to 84,200 metric tons in 1996, and has since increased to 139,500 metric tons in 2006. The Bluefish FMP was implemented in 1990 to halt the decline of the stock and restore the population to sustainable levels. A 9-year rebuilding plan was implemented on Jan 1, 2001. The bluefish stock must be rebuilt by Dec 31, 2009. The stock has been increasing but is still slightly below the target biomass.
Landings

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/images/bluefish_thumb_land.gif (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/images/bluefish_chart_land.gif) Landings refer to the amount of catch that is brought to land. Commercial landings ranged from 1,000 to 2,000 metric tons during the 1950s and 1960s, increased during the 1970s and 1980s, peaking at 7,466 metric tons in 1981, and then declined throughout the 1990s. Commercial landings in 2006 were 2,900 metric tons.

Recreational data is also presented because the recreational fishery has historically accounted for 80 to 90% of the total catch. Recreational landings peaked in 1981 and 1985 at over 43,000 metric tons. Recreational landings have averaged over 19,000 metric tons since 1982, but have been less than 8,000 metric tons since 1995, and were 7,700 metric tons in 2006.

Note: Both U.S. commercial and recreational landings are shown in the graph.
Biomass and Landings

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/images/bluefish_thumb_bio_and_land.gif (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/images/bluefish_chart_bio_and_land.gif) Are landings and biomass related? Landings are dependent on biomass, management measures in the fishery, and fishing effort.

Data sources:
Biomass and landings from Northeast Fisheries Science Center Status of Fisheries Resources off the Northeastern U.S. - Bluefish (http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/sos/spsyn/op/bluefish/)

[DarkSkies]

Important Dates

Late 1970s – Potential markets for bluefish in Africa and South America stimulate tuna purse seiners to consider harvesting bluefish
1979 – Concerned recreational anglers petition Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to develop a management plan for bluefish
1980s – Bluefish is one of top three recreational species along the Atlantic coast; from 1979 to 1987, more bluefish (by weight) were landed by anglers coastwide than any other fish
1984 – Bluefish FMP completed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, in cooperation with NMFS, the New England and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; plan is rejected by the Secretary of Commerce but concern for the resource remains
1989-1990 – Current Bluefish FMP prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and adopted by the Council in 1989 and by NMFS in 1990; management measures include a license to sell bluefish and limits on the amount of bluefish an angler or vessel can possess; allocates 17% of the total catch to the commercial fishery
1996 – Amendment 1 to the FMP is developed; reduces the commercial allocation to 17% of the quota
2001 – A 9-year rebuilding plan is implemented. The bluefish stock must be rebuilt by Dec 31, 2009.

[DarkSkies]

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/bluefish.htm







Notes and Links

General Information:
Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Status of Fishery Resources off the Northeastern US - Bluefish (http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/sos/spsyn/op/bluefish/)

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission - Bluefish page (http://www.asmfc.org/bluefish.htm)

NEFSC Essential Fish Habitat Source Document - Bluefish (http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/tm/tm144/tm144.pdf)

NMFS Sustainability Species Identification for Bluefish (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/speciesid/fish_page/fish62a.html)

Fishery Management:
Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (http://www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/fmp/blue-a1.htm)

History of Bluefish FMP Development (http://www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/fmp/history/blue.htm) Stock Assessments:
2005 Bluefish Assessment Summary (http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/crd/crd0510/b.pdf)

[jimbob]

I like Bluefish, they kept us busy in the late 80s. I would never turn my nose up at them :thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

I hear ya, man. Too many people are bluefish snobs. Unless you have trophy bass around, I'll hunt for gorilla bluefish any night, ain't ashamed to admit it. :kooky: I love the fight that a big bluefish puts up, kinda reminds me of moshin at a Black Flag show. :banghead2::viking:

There, I said it, out of the closet now! ;) :ROFLMAO:

[fishinmission78]

I like Bluefish, they kept us busy in the late 80s. I would never turn my nose up at them :thumbsup:


Big bluefish are like the big girls in high school. Everyone enjoys them behind closed doors, no one wants to admit it.:naughty:

[bababooey]

There, I said it, out of the closet now! ;) :ROFLMAO:

Are you sure that's all you're bringing out of the closet, for now?:laugh: :)


Big bluefish are like the big girls in high school. Everyone enjoys them behind closed doors, no one wants to admit it.:naughty:

:clapping: :clapping::laugh:How else can you keep kids interested when fishing? Thank God for bluefish.

[gjb1969]

hey i will say it i like blue fish now its out there:eek:

[basshunter]

I have no problem catching blues. They put up a good fight and don't taste too bad.

[vpass]

I love big Bluefish.:heart: I love Snappers on Microlight rod with Micro spinreels. Got spooled a few times in the past few years by there bigger sibblings. I did get a 4 pound blue on 4 pound test on the Microlight rod. The Blue ran parallel to the beach I followed for about 200 feet. :cool:

[rockhopper]

Love to catch 'em. They are not happy campers, they are the Saddam Husseins of the fish world. :argue:

[finchaser]

Love them or anything that pulls on the line. Last time the bass were wiped out they were the only thing to catch. Very few people fished the surf or boat for bass. Then when the blues were in trouble because of the pressure put on them along came a limit on blues. Bass populations are up everyone hates blues and since they can't catch big enough fluke, the new breed of bass fisherman was created. As the bass are on the decline again, thanks to the snag and drop tackle store hero's killing the big breeders watch out bluefish you'll be loved again.

[stripercrazy]

As the bass are on the decline again, thanks to the snag and drop tackle store hero's killing the big breeders watch out bluefish you'll be loved again.


I hope that doesn't happen, I love to catch bluefish as well. They are a worthy adversary, especially the big ones. It burns me up when people treat them like trash fish. Here are some photos of bigger ones to remind people of the great action they can bring.

7053

7054

7055

7056

7057

7058

[finchaser]

Very nice:clapping::clapping:,to me nothing like slammers blizing the beach. Pound for pound no bass compares to the fight of a big blue. If they grew to 50# -75# they would probably be one of the only fish around

[Monty]

Got into a few slammers today, Great Fun!!
7063

They were not blitzing, hooked up one out of 6-8 casts.
First time this year for me that I got into them in this size and frieken loved getting the rod bent!!!


Very nice:clapping::clapping:,to me nothing like slammers blizing the beach. Pound for pound no bass compares to the fight of a big blue. If they grew to 50# -75# they would probably be one of the only fish around

[plugcrazy]

Very nice:clapping::clapping:,to me nothing like slammers blizing the beach. Pound for pound no bass compares to the fight of a big blue. If they grew to 50# -75# they would probably be one of the only fish around


Got into a few slammers today, Great Fun!!
7063

They were not blitzing, hooked up one out of 6-8 casts.
First time this year for me that I got into them in this size and frieken loved getting the rod bent!!!


http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7054&thumb=1&d=1246216468 (http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7054&d=1246216468)



Yeah we could use a bluefish invasion right about now! :viking:
Look at the head on that one it's freaking like Cujo or Godzilla! Any estimates of how much it weighed, I would say at least 15 pounds, if not 20.:eek:

[bababooey]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7054&thumb=1&d=1246216468 (http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7054&d=1246216468)



Yeah we could use a bluefish invasion right about now! :viking:
Look at the head on that one it's freaking like Cujo or Godzilla! Any estimates of how much it weighed, I would say at least 15 pounds, if not 20.:eek:



Plugcrazy, the invasion has arrived. All the bluefish you wanted yesterday up to 10#. No 15 pounders, but the quantities were there. Anywhere from 1/4 mile off the beach all the way out to the Shrewsbury rocks. Great fun, I hope they come in close for you guys today.

[DarkSkies]

Bluefish averse to lower salinity.......

Thought you folks might want to think about something a few of us have learned from all the years we've been fishing,,,when there is a lot of rain and the bays and rivers fill with fresh water runoff, the bluefish move out a bit where the salinity is different. To prove to yourselves whether this is true or not, make note of the next time it rains heavy, and then track the bay and river areas where they are being caught for the next 3 days after that..

You will begin to see a pattern where they move further away from fresh water and close to saltier water.

Bass are anadromous, meaning they can survive in salt and fresh water. Bluefish are not.....another piece of intel that will help you plan successful trips. :cool:

















********
This was recently sent to me by a yakker who I have been giving some tips to......

I find that in today's society there are a lot of folks who want to take, but are not willing to give....

My time really is limited lately and going forward, so as a result I have restricted my time to those who will actually follow through on the advice I give them.... and are willing to work for the fish they might come across.... and are also motiivated to provide feedback for the trips for the advice that is freely given to them.....IE bringing something to the table in return....:cool: I thought it supplements what I said above.



This was part of his report to me the other day. It refers to the Raritan Bay area. I noticed the same thing when I was on my way home Sunday morning, and did some scouting, as I like to do....thanks and keep catching....:clapping: :HappyWave:

"Thus inshore was pretty littered with small branches and larger grasses. It wasn't like a distinctive tide line but a wide area."

[Mike O]

All these comments are spot on. I'm not crazy about eating them, but no bass fights as hard as a bluefish. Back in the 80's they use to stack up out on the rip or anywhere on the hook. It was great. You could sometimes have 20 or more fish landed in a couple of hours. Nobody complained about the lack of bass, and many times you went home with sore arms. Been gettin them pretty regular in RB. Going again after work today with my son. It makes for a good nights sleep.

[skinner]

Bluefish averse to lower salinity.......

Thought you folks might want to think about something a few of us have learned from all the years we've been fishing,,,when there is a lot of rain and the bays and rivers fill with fresh water runoff, the bluefish move out a bit where the salinity is different. To prove to yourselves whether this is true or not, make note of the next time it rains heavy, and then track the bay and river areas where they are being caught for the next 3 days after that..

You will begin to see a pattern where they move further away from fresh water and close to saltier water.

"Thus inshore was pretty littered with small branches and larger grasses. It wasn't like a distinctive tide line but a wide area."


Good advice, this also happens in some ocean areas after heavy rain, with bass as well.