Monday blues

[NJ219bands]

Went fishing 🎣 in Manasquan Inlet this evening on a cool sunny day with a strong south wind and low tide. Saw 3 big bluefish caught while walking to my spot. I caught, tagged and released 6 bluefish to 31” on a spoon and plain hook Ava A-17. A very big bluefish made a long run out the inlet, then cut off my rig in the rocks. Another bluefish bit off my Ava rig. The bluefish stole three of my rigs the past two days. Tagged my 2,500th bluefish with American Littoral Society tags today.

[Mark G]

Do you use steel leaders on your rigs?

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Mark G

Do you use steel leaders on your rigs?

I'll let the OP answer for himself, but I can say that over the years, I have seen very few guys use steel leaders when Blue fishing.. Once in a great while, a Blue might swallow an Ava or hit the front of it with their teeth and cut the line, but over the decades the amount of fish I've lost that way was pretty insignificant.. I personally think most fish are less likely to hit a lure attached to an ugly steel leader, but thats just my uneducated opinion.. I DO like a smallish snap swivel and heavier line when lots of Blues are around, and thats all I've ever needed.. I also never use steel leaders up here in NY state fresh water even when there are Muskies/Pike/Pickerel around... I think fish are less likely to hit a lure with them... bob

[NJ219bands]

Originally Posted by Mark G

Do you use steel leaders on your rigs?

No

[Pennsy Guy]

When I bluefished, lo these many years ago, hated to lose even one blue due to bitten leaders so I started making my own rigs---bronze color plastic coated braided wire crimped to a circle hook and 6-8" on the other end a swivel. Never had a problem after that. Caught my fair share on night fishing a PB...Hummm, might have to do that again...They were some good times, as I remember.

[Ol Pedro]

Originally Posted by Pennsy Guy

When I bluefished, lo these many years ago, hated to lose even one blue due to bitten leaders so I started making my own rigs---bronze color plastic coated braided wire crimped to a circle hook and 6-8" on the other end a swivel. Never had a problem after that. Caught my fair share on night fishing a PB...Hummm, might have to do that again...They were some good times, as I remember.

Ya Chuckie ! We met Blue fishing on the old Gambler around 30 years ago. We had some memories together. Hope they show up in numbers this year.