or more, are called “ chopper“, or “ gator” blues. Small bluefish are oftentimes referred to as “ snappers“, and larger ones, around 10 lbs. Because of this, they run in schools of similar sized fish, in order to protect themselves from larger family members. They are a cannibalistic fish that often attacks smaller sized schools of blues. Bluefish will eat these scraps off the sea floor, and therefore cut bait on the bottom is an effective tactic to catch them. When blues are terrorizing a school of bait, there tends to be morsels that fall to the bottom. They are not considered picky eaters, and will pretty much attack any other school of smaller sized fish they can find. They are very aggressive biters, and often jump when hooked, so they are a fun game species to target. Illustrations by Duane Raver from the book "Fishes of the Southeastern United States".Bluefish are pelagic, strong fighting, and typically travel in schools with other similar sized bluefish. Season October through April, statewide by proclamation (except Cape Fear River). * Striped Bass: Albemarle Sound Management Area: contact DMF for seasons, areas or other limits Atlantic Ocean year-round: 2 per person per day at 28” TL minimum Other coastal areas (excluding Inland Waters-regulations set by Wildlife Resources Commission), 2 per person per day at 18” TL minimum and unlawful to possess between 22” – 27” TL in Joint waters. (Use drift fishing with minnows and casting with jugs and spoons.) (Gray Perch, Blue-Nosed Perch, Silver Perch, Sea Perch) Keep the line tight, but don't pull hard because the hook could rip through the lip.) Float or bottom fish with natural bait.)Ĭut bait, shrimp, or live minnows. (A popular method is to suspend bait from a float.) (Speckled Trout, Southern Spotted, Weakfish, Speak) (Often caught unintentionally and used as live bait for bluefish, mackerels, and striped bass.) (Difficult to hook because they take the bait fast.) (Channel Bass, Redfish, Puppy Drum, Spottail Bass)įiddler crabs, barnacle, oysters, clams, crabs, or shrimp. (Use a two hook bottom rig with live bait. (Swell Toad, Puffer, Blowfish, Blow Toad, Toadfish, Sea Squab) (Use a two hook bottom rig with live bait.) (Sea Mullet, Whiting, Virginia Mullet, Roundhead) Shrimp, mole crabs, blood worms, or squid. (Catch off the end of a pier using a slow reeling technique.) Live menhaden and cigar minnows, or dead ribbonfish seem to have the best result, but spoons and jigs also works. (Often caught in the surf just behind the breakers. (Most are caught around the inlet on the tide line.)īottom fish with natural bait such as sand fleas, cut bait, fiddler crabs, and shrimp. (Bluefish have razor sharp teeth handle with care.) (Blues, Snappers, Choppers, Taylor Blues) (Bottom rig with sinker or single hook with no sinker.)Ĭut baits fished on the bottom, or casting or trolling artificial lures, such as metal spoons, bright-colored popping lures, jerk jigger style baits and lead-headed plastic grubs. Use cut mullet, menhaden, shrimp, or blood worms. Use tiny hooks baited with shrimp or jellyfish. What fish did I catch? How big does it have to be to keep? What bait works best? Learn more about the fish of the Outer Banks! Image
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