Known for their and brute force and high speed drag peels, bluefish are a favorite among east coast anglers.
But the timing of the bluefish migration can be tricky…In this article, i’ll cover when you can expect bluefish to run in your area.
Table of Contents
When Do Bluefish Run?
Bluefish migrate along the western Atlantic, from Florida to Maine and back each year. They spend their summers in the temperate waters off the coast of Maine. As fall and winter set in, they follow warmer waters and migrate south to the subtropical coast of Florida.
State-By-State Breakdown
Bluefish are large predatory fish that live in temperate and subtropical oceans around the world, except for the Pacific Ocean.
Yes, that is right; they are world travelers, much like bluefin tuna and swordfish. And just like many other migratory fish, bluefish migrations are seasonal and are triggered by changing water temperatures.
Lets take a closer look at each state…
Maine
Maine is very close to the northern edge of the range for Bluefish in the Western Atlantic. They arrive here during the warmest months of the year, and that is why summer is the best time to fish for Bluefish in Maine.
Bluefish don’t stay in Maine for long, they eventually move south as the summer ends. By September, most bluefish will have already left Maine and are headed south.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
The best months for Bluefish in the New England area are from August to November when Bluefish are just leaving Maine and beginning their migration south to Florida.
Bluefish in these states are running between Maine and Florida. They can be found in these states in the late summer and early fall months.
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia
These states have some of the best bluefish fishing in the country. They are present all year round with the peak bluefish action in the late summer through fall.
Cape Cod is a hot spot for bluefish in this region. The run here begins in May and peaks in June and continues until November. Warmer waters push them to move north towards Maine, and cooler waters push them to move south towards Florida.
Check regional reports for to get an idea on when the bluefish are running in local harbors, bays and beaches.
The fishing can ‘turn on‘ in these regions overnight, and you can usually see bluefish anglers lined up along seawalls and beaches
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia
The southern states have fair bluefish action year-round. The best bluefish fishing is during late spring through the end of summer. These months are April through September.
Bluefish in these southern states run south towards Florida during the winter.
Florida
In Florida, bluefish can also be caught year-round. In the northern parts of the state, including the panhandle, late summer and fall is the best time of year to catch them.
Keep a close eye on the fall mullet run if your fishing in Florida during the months of September and October. Large schools of bluefish will follow the mullet migrations along the coast and the fishing can be excellent!
The Best Time to Fish For Bluefish
No matter where you are fishing, the best time to fish for bluefish is the low-light hours. These high probability periods are sunrise, sunset, and at night. Before and after storms can be a good opportunity for good bluefish fishing too!
Also, remember to keep track of the tides. In general, moving tides are good.
Incoming and outgoing tides at inlets and rivers can be great for predators. The higher part of the tide can be really great at the beach too.
The best bluefish lures are loud, and aggressive style baits that create a lot of action and sound in the water, to trigger the predatory response from a bluefish.
Good luck, and have fun!
Growing up in Florida, I’ve been surrounded by saltwater my entire life…and I love sharing my passion with others.
To learn more about why I started Saltwater Mecca, visit the ABOUT page.
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