Bluefish in Florida

Meet the species

Bluefish
Image credit: © diane rome peebles

Scientific name

Pomatomus saltatrix

Overview

Young usually found inshore during spring and summer, moving offshore to join adults in fall and winter; strong migration of northeast atlantic stock to Florida east coast in winter

Typical size

Most gulf coast catches under 3 pounds; much larger on atlantic coast, up to 27 pounds

Typical weight (lb)

3.0

At a glance

Peak months
January–february, december
Regions
Big bend, northeast, southeast, statewide atlantic, central east
Water
Saltwater
Bait
Cut bait & live finger mullet

Florida fishing record

Weight
22 lb 2 oz
Location
Jensen beach
Date
Mar 19, 1973
Angler
Liz yates
Type
Florida state record

Open record source

Record catch notes

22.13 lb; by liz yates; on 03/19/1973; at jensen beach

When to fish

Peak months

January–february, december

Good months

January–february, june, september–december

Season notes

Months mentioned in profile narrative (not a fishing calendar): may best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak from seasonal WTF bullets (n sea 6, n yr 0, thresh> 3). Peak jan, feb, dec good jan, jun, sep, oct, nov & dec.

More season details

Where to fish

Florida regions

Big bend, northeast, southeast, statewide atlantic & central east

Water

Saltwater

Habitat

Young usually found inshore during spring and summer, moving offshore to join adults in fall and winter; strong migration of northeast atlantic stock to Florida east coast in winter

More locations and access

How to catch

Cast metal to blitzes & expect cutoffs — wire or heavy fluoro

Bait

Cut bait & live finger mullet

Lures

Shiny metal lures retrieved fast

Videos

Sources

Fishing videos from local voices

Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.