Singing The Blues

[Billfish715]

While reminiscing about the old days of fishing around here, the topic of the good old days of fishing for bluefish came up. We talked about "spots" like the Klondike, Manasquan Ridge, Barnegate Ridge, the Acid Waters, etc. etc. The bluefish fleet was extensive. There were even bluefish boats sailing from Atlantic Highlands and Highlands and the bayshore area. There were boats that sailed day and night trips. There were boats anchored on pieces that made it look like a fleet when you saw it. The night fleets looked like cities when they were all lit up and fishing near each other. That was then, which raises the issue about now.

So, where are the gators, choppers, yellow eyes or whatever you want to call the bluefish? I know they are in the area of Block Island and Massachusetts but why are they not around here? I have no guesses. If I thought it was bait, I'd be wrong. If it was water temps, I'd be wrong. If it was draggers, I'd be wrong.

Umbrella rigs, bunker backs, Bingle Bananas, Pony Tails, Squid Spoons, Pet Spoons, wire leaders, burlap bags, planers, Penn 500's and 114's, 50H Daiwa's, buckets of bunker chum, ladles, chum grinders, bloody decks, 3406 Mustad Hooks, rubber core sinkers, and more were standards for catching blues. Now, we have party boats that were traditionally packed with fishermen looking to catch bluefish, currently fishing for anything with fins supported by
"groupons" to get customers to the rails.

Anyone care to weigh in?