Known for their aggressive strikes and tough battles, Bluefish are a top target all along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. While the Gulf holds species weighing up to 10 pounds, they get seriously big when you head north of Miami. We’re talking over 20 pounds! Even the smaller creatures pack a punch, and many fish you catch will make for a delicious meal at the end of the day.
You can easily identify Bluefish by their sleek, silver-blue bodies and sharp, toothy mouths. But, whether you’re casting from a boat or shore, understanding their behavior and the best techniques to catch them will make all the difference on your next trip. So, let’s take a dive into this article and see what’s so special about Bluefish fishing in Florida!
Why target Bluefish in Florida?
As I’ve already said, these fish provide fun fights and you can bring home some dinner for you and your family. While opinions may differ on the meat, it can prove to be a very tasty filet when freshly cooked.
So that’s why go after Bluefish, but why specifically in Florida? After all, these waters are home to thousands of prized species…
Well, you can find Bluefish pretty easily in a lot of coastal environments in Florida. These fish are quite abundant and you can catch them from shore and from a boat, allowing numerous opportunities to locate them and get some. They’re a staple in some angling communities, while visitors will love the opportunity for regular, exciting action.
How to Target Bluefish in Florida
Now you know the why, let’s get down to the how. This is where we begin to break down all the key ingredients and items to bring along on your Florida Bluefish journey.
Techniques
Bluefish are known for their aggressive feeding habits, therefore lively bait or fast movements like jerks and quick-reeling retrieves on lures are key. Basically, either let your bait sit and do the work, or fast retrieve it. These movements mimic erratic prey, easily capturing the attention.
You’ll want to cast along shorelines, piers, docks, flats, points, reefs, and drop offs. Once you feel that hard thump, ensure a strong hookset, keep the line tension light, and prepare for a hefty battle.
Gear
Bluefish don’t really get to over 30 pounds, so you don’t need any crazy setups to target these guys. If you’re closer to the smaller ones, you can use a 3000 spinning setup. Meanwhile, for the larger specimens, you should switch to a 4000 or 5000 setup.
3/0 circle hooks are the perfect live bait hook, and stick to similar sizing for jig heads or other artificial lures. Use a strong leader, such as 50 pouns and up for fluorocarbon, or invest in a wire leader. Bluefish have sharp teeth and quick snatches, which, paired with the potential for them to hide in structure, provide a high risk of breakage.
Having a net to scoop them up in is also helpful. If you’re using live bait, especially on shore, don’t forget about a bait bucket and bubbler. You’re allowed to catch this species via spears, gigs, seines, and cast nets as well, so bring along any if you feel fit. Just be sure to always follow regulations when trying out new gear and fishing for Bluefish, which you can check out here.
Bait
Starting with live bait, the best options when fishing for Bluefish in Florida include mullet, shrimp, herring, pilchards, squid, and plenty of others. Bluefish tend to eat a lot, so the bait options are usually quite large. They also eat just about anything alive if it’s dead too, as long as it smells and is still somewhat fresh or juicy.
On the other hand, Bluefish don’t shy away from lures, either. A few excellent examples of artificials include poppers, plugs, jigs, bucktails, spoons, soft plastics, and spooks. A couple of well-known lures are the Rapala Saltwater X Rap Long Cast and the Storm Swim Shad Bluefish jig, specifically designed with this species in mind.
Where to Target Bluefish in Florida
The Florida coastline offers many excellent locations for targeting Bluefish. In the northern region, Jacksonville and St. Augustine are known for their abundant amounts of Bluefish, especially during the fall migration. This is when the fish move in schools closer to shore to breed, making piers, docks, jetties, and shorelines more active.
Further south, the waters off Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and southeast Florida are also great areas, with Bluefish inhabiting beaches, reefs, and inlets. The Tampa Bay area also offers excellent opportunities for smaller specimens on the west coast, especially in its deep-water channels and estuaries.
At the end of the day, almost everywhere in coastal Florida will provide consistent Bluefish action throughout much of the year!
Florida Bluefish Fishing Regulations
First things first, you’ll need an active saltwater fishing license when fishing for Bluefish in Florida. You can obtain yours easily online, by phone, and even in some stores like Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Bass Pro Shops. However, if you’re fishing with a registered saltwater fishing charter, their permits will cover you.
In more good news, Bluefish don’t have a closed season, but keep in mind summer and fall are the best months to target them.
Bluefish numbers did decline a couple of years ago due to overfishing, therefore more limits were put in place. The Florida regulations also differ a bit depending on the region, where bag limits and minimum lengths can vary. The FWC’s dedicated Bluefish page contains all the information you need.
Start Your Florida Adventure with Bluefish
I hope you now have a pretty good idea on how you’re going to approach your next fishing adventure. If you’re not a Floridian, I also hope you’ll consider taking a trip down here to try fishing for Bluefish. We have many beautiful coastal cities down here with plenty of other species to run into, too! Take this knowledge and apply it with your preferences, and you should be catching Bluefish in no time!
Have you ever been fishing for Bluefish in Florida? Which spot did you hit up? Reach out in the comments below to share your tips and tricks!
The post How to Go Bluefish Fishing in Florida: An Angler’s Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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