Mile(s) long bluefish blitz

[J Barbosa]

Does anyone who has been fishing out front in Nomoco know exactly what kind of bait all those small blues have been feeding on for the past few days?

Yesterday most of the schools where outside casting range or only came in for a little while so I couldn't make out what kind of bait it was. The blues were small in the 1-3lb size and at times you could see them leaping out of the water like a tarpon 100-200 yards out.

My guess is some kind of white bait but I would like to know for sure.

[buckethead]

JB I believe they are rainfish. Interesting you used whitebait because that is the all encompassing term used by folks at Montauk and parts out east.

These are 1-3" long. It is mostly rainfish, and there may be some spearing mixed in. If you are fishing out front take note of how they will be far out in the channel or beyond the breakers at some tide stages and come in close at other stages. When they are close folks are doing well with fly rods. Teasers ahead of small plugs or metal will also work.

These are the fish that we wait for every year and will begin to bring fish further into the reaches of the bay. I have not seen a heck of a lot of them at this point yet just some concentrations in strategic areas. They are about 5 weeks late showing up for our area. I did see some 2 weeks ago but not really in concentrations. It seems that in the last week they are building up to where you and I notice them and the predators as well.

You said you are a fly rodder. Bring your fly rod next time and try it. Let us know how you do.

[buckethead]

There is a thread here that dark started. It talks about fall migration but has some interesting points.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?5149-S-amp-A-Education-Series-Understanding-FALL-back-bay-bait-migration-and-fishing-patterns

[buckethead]

They are also known as bay anchovies. Some more info here

http://njscuba.net/biology/sw_fish_bait.html

Bay Anchovyhttp://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/bay_anchovy.jpgAnchoa mitchilli
Size: to 4"
Habitat: coastal and estuarine waters
Notes: Another small herring-like fish which forms large schools. These, as well as those above, can form huge schools that swirl around the upper reaches of inshore reefs - a sight that easily rivals the tropics. I have seen them school together with the larger and more striking Silver Anchovy. Note the large underslung mouth, which makes identification from other baitfishes easy. Anchovies are physically fragile, yet tolerate an amazing range of environmental conditions. Fishermen call them "Rainfish".

http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/bay_anchovy_2.jpgUS Fish & Wildlife Service Species Profile (http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/usfws_bay_anchovy_0161.pdf) (PDF)
Fishes of the Gulf of Maine - Anchovy (http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/fogm_anchovy.pdf) (PDF)

[buckethead]

some info on spearing aka atlantic silverside
http://njscuba.net/biology/sw_fish_bait.html

Atlantic Silverside ( Spearing )http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/atlantic_silverside.jpgMenidia menidia
Size: to 7 1/2 "
Habitat: Generally inshore in harbors, inlets, and other quiet waters.
Notes: Forms large schools. Look for them swirling around the dive boat at the dock. More closely related to killifishes than herrings, Silversides are also found in fresh water.

http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_uw/silverside.jpgUS Fish & Wildlife Service Species Profile (http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/usfws_atlantic_silverside_0117.pdf) (PDF)
Fishes of the Gulf of Maine - Silverside (http://stripersandanglers.com/zzz_biology/fogm_silverside.pdf) (PDF)

[J Barbosa]

Thanks, I use the term white bait when I'm not certain what exactly they are.

[plugginpete]

I call them whitebait too jbarbosa. Check this out here is a huge blue blitz filmed by Mike Laptew. Can't wait to see action like this!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9k_UNC15A