Bluefish Bashing
 

Recently, I was standing, net at-the-ready, next to a guy who was fighting what he thought was a big striper. The fish was peeling drag, dogging down, running out, running in.... Finally it smashed out of the water, head thrashing in an attempt to throw the lure that was stuck in its serrated jaws. Then, the guy starts cursing. I ask him, "What's the matter?" And he says, "I don't want that piece of #&%$!"

I don't get how a fisherman can get so po'd about fighting one of the toughest, meanest game fish in the ocean. Yes, we'd rather catch bass and yes, they do put a hurting on the tackle inventory. But I think we should have a little respect for these kickass choppers. And blues are good eating too: They get a bad rap because they are often mishandled and over cooked. Keep em in a cooler with ice and salt water, bleed them before they die and cook them till they are just cooked through and they taste great.

My hat is off to you, O yellow eyed, razor toothed, tackle buster:D

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Ain't it the truth, Jim?

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I love to fight them but happier when the boats not full of what they are spitting up and bloody :) but they sure are fun to tangle with

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I don't know about eating, but they are fun. Must admit I cursed a few last week that ate my porgies or bit my 15lb casting gear and took me all around the boat.

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Yes sir for the inshore angler, its the best fight lb for lb. Blues are one of my favorite parts of fishing nj waters

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They have saved the day for us many times. I never complain about blues. Think of catching a bunch of blues or nothing.......I'll take the blues every time.

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Hands down one of the best fighting fish in the ocean

"Thank you GOD for giving us Bluefish to catch, but can you improve their taste and make them taste like ling, blackfish, seabass, or fluke?"

An answer to this prayer could save the world from hunger...please pray for this

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A few years ago, we were catching nice, 4 to 6lb weakfish, and if you didn't get them in fast enough, the blues would bite them in half.

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Love blue fishing! Let us not forget that most of our party boat fleet was built on blue fishing. Pound for pound one of the best fighting fish. And as stated, if handled correctly (not thrown in a sack to cook all day) the smaller models are good table fare. Cut em, bleed em and ice em!

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Bluefish are and will always be a "staple" to our fishing and economic survival to respected Captains. Many a great memory while bluefishing. There is a boat in PP and eatery by the same name in Whippany NJ (PM me for name, best seafood in North jersey) that serves Bluefish all the time called "fish dinner" . Its fresh caught Blues (on purpose), cared for (Bled and iced immediately) and as advertised if you don't like it or can tell its bluefish vs sole then don't pay for it!. Never seen a returned plate.

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A truly hungry person will eat a bluefish, in a heartbeat, no questions asked. In many parts of the world a bluefish, no matter what the size IS an answer to a prayer!

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I used to toss & turn the night before going bluefishing in SHB as a kid. Pretty pathetic the way people think these days.

This past wknd I worked & spoke to a few guys who actually complained about catching those 20+ lb bluefish a few weeks ago. Couldnt believe my ears....

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Sure right Capt Bogan, time for your brother to built some bluefish rods.....:p
What's next, glad to catch a dogfish instead of a Fluke? Taste great too, fish and chips, right?

Lets face it, can't get gold, settle for silver....

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Bluefish have saved a day out on the water many a time! People just getting into the sport think they are the best ever and my friend Matt will take fishing for blues over fluke any day of the week! We should be grateful for what we have with these fish!

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pound for pound, the best fighting fish in our seas. Taste however, i eat them once a year, stab em, ice em, and it still reminds me that I shouldn't eat bluefish. JMO

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Just wait until they are gone for the winter and you get one of those 30 min bass bite (or no bite) days. Cranking all day for nothing while freezing your ass off. Give your left nut for some of that blue action.

That solid month of 20lb+ bluefishing will be talked about for years to come. "Hey, remember back in '13 when those MONSTER blues took hold at the mud?

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Hey, I eat bluefish. Rinse em, dry em, marinate em and bake 10 to 15 mins at 350. VG eats.

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Thank you, Captain! It's great to hear these words of wisdom. No point in arguing about taste with anybody. My wife and I eat fish every other night and bluefish is one of our favorites. There's a terrific book about bluefish by one of America's great authors, John Hersey. It's title is BLUES. Great reading for the winter months and a nice Xmas present.

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I think we forget what fishing was like. In the '70's I used to fish on the old Gambler and head out to the acid grounds and fish for blues with Krocs and Hopkins.

Charter and party boats would run day and night to catch them. We would run as far north as Jones Beach and as far south as Harvey Cedars. This was in boats that would only do 10 knots.

I can almost smell the fresh ground chum, a cold Schaefer, and please pass me a banana. :eek:

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I tend to get jaded when it comes to Bluefish since I've seen/cut/caught so many of them but those Gators can fight ! On the Gambler trip last Sunday I had one take me around the stern and part way up the port side. That fish kicked my buttox ! I donate my catch to my West African Friends at work . They seem to like the taste of the Fall Bluefish better than Spring/Summer. I have had Bluefish chunks with bones in that they breaded, fried , and simmered in curry that is "Out Of Bounds" at our potlucks. As Capt. Bob and others have said it's all in the way that you handle them.

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Those Big Blues That Were Here A Few Weeks Back Were Out Of Control!!!! Yep Jump On The Old Gambler With A Bucket Full Of Bingle Bananas.thats When All The Peeps Brought Reel Gear.broom Sticks With 50lb Mono.

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The club I belong to runs a 10# bluefish trip every year. No, I t doesn't mean that we go looking to catch only 10# blues. It means we spool everyones reel with some 10# line then we go hunt Gators!

Wanna have some fun, just try and land those big ones on that 10# test line! It is even more fun watching many of these Hot Shot Striper guys tackle ol' yellow eyes on light gear!

Not much waste as the fish not released or kept by members are cut and taken to the food bank!

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I love to fight the "yellar eyes" in the surf. Best way to go for me. Still waiting for them to come close so I can nail them. Today would be a great day in the surf but go things to do. Maybe they will wait for Tuesday. See 'ya all later, Robbie

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Otto would be pissed...." C'mon Bluefish".....Blues are pound for pound
the best fighter in the Ocean......:D

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How much would we all miss bluefish if they weren't around? They don't taste that great, but I don't go fishing just for food.

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Were you guys on the MiJo last year doing this? I remember an old post about that trip. I'd love to run an annual charter with skilled guys and gals who do this! I talk about that post with people quite often and how fun that sounds! Talk about having to WALK that fish!! haha!

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My wife and sons still talk about bluefishing on the old MisTake II out of the Highlands. Chasing birds around the bay, slaughter for about 20 minutes then on to the next school. Whitey yelling at me from the wheelhouse to "take that ladies fish off for her". Bled them on board (in burlap bags that the mates would hose down several times during the trip), marinate the fillets overnight in soy sauce, sherry and olive oil, a quick char on the grill, even the kids ate them. No bashing in our house.

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Yes, the trip is on the MiJo. Don't need a boat load of "skilled anglers." Just need patient anglers! First year I did it I never boated a fish, next year I believe I won the 10# pool! We do the 10# thing for maybe an hour or two then take the 10# line off and have at it. Some guys still can't land a fish!

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I had that book but must have lent it to someone --it was good

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I love catching them. Have taken a fair number of my former students fishing for them and turned them into world beaters fishing for the demons. My son too can only be sated catching the bluefish.
I have a friend coming up from Virginia tomorrow with his son and though we want a fish or two with lines on the side, we can bail blues all day and walk away absolutely thrilled.

Tight lines

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Alfred- how about describing that marinade in more detail, proportions ??

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Team Reel Class loves the bluefish. :D

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Thanks Capt. Bob! I was waiting for someone to make a post like this. One of my favorite fish to eat and catch.

Ben

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Bluefish are the gateway drug. They are what get most people hooked on fishing in saltwater. They did for me, I can remember the first big blue I ever caught 30 years ago and I have been hooked ever since.

cant imagine life without bluefish. Although my wife is looking for a good rehab program.

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Just to keep this theme going. The bassin was slow today so when we got into some nice size Blues it was a very welcome bite :)

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awesome fish and fun as hell to mess around with better to catch something than nothing!!!:D

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Haha, that's good.

Okay. I might get rocks thrown at me now --but I'd rather eat a filet portion from a 5lb blue than a 25lb bass.