The Local Fisherman

Bluefishing is one of the most exciting types of inshore fishing. Bluefish are hard-hitting, hard-fighting and downright nasty, but a blast to catch on light tackle.

Those that fish for blues know that it can be a difficult, labor-intensive endeavor that often ends up with few or no fish. How can you increase your odds with catching blues and make the experience much more enjoyable? Hop on a party boat!

The Crowding Effect
When many think about fishing on a party boat, they think that the experience is tangles, frustration and few fish. Provided you fish on a party boat with an experienced crew and captain, the experience can be fun and fish-filled.

I recently fished aboard the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant and was able to get a birds eye view of how a group of about 80 people can go out, and everyone (and I mean everyone) can catch fish and have a good time. These captains can also find fish when everyone else is coming up dry.

Secure Your Spot
Sometimes, the spot you get on a boat can determine whether you catch fish or not. There is no magic place that will always catch fish, but some places on a boat have greater chances of catching more fish than others. If the captain is going to anchor and fish, the boat’s stern, or rear, is best. Once the boat anchors, it will face the current, giving those in the stern the first chance at many fish.

To get a good spot on a boat, be sure to get to the boat early. If you cannot and get a less desirable spot, don’t worry; often, the less popular spots score big! I’ve seen anglers in the bow, the stern and on both sides of the boat do well.

If you bring a rod, be sure to bring a medium-heavy spinning outfit or a medium conventional outfit that’s spooled with at least 30-pound test. If you don’t have your own gear, don’t fret; you can rent a rod for a couple of dollars on the boat. Be sure to put your gear in the rod holder where you plan on fishing.

Bibs Work Best

What do you wear on a bluefishing trip? Bluefishing is often a bloody endeavor. Bunker, the main bait that anglers use for blues, leaves a lasting odor. Wear old clothes that can get bloody. I wear a pair of Grundens overalls and old sneakers. Some super-savvy anglers will even wear rubber boots so they keep their feet dry. My feet often get wet, especially by the end of the trip.

Finding The Fish

Once the boat has left the docks, it will head out to the fishing grounds and try to find fish. It’s not always easy to find bluefish off the coast.

Depending on the port that you fish out of and the location of the bluefish, party boats will sometimes travel up to 25 miles to find the fish. This can be an arduous task but is critical to the anglers’ success. Once they get to the fishing grounds, their work is not done.

Rigging Up For Bluefishing on Party Boats
Party boats use a number of techniques when fishing for blues. During the day, boats will often jig for blues. Other times during the day or at night, the boat will instruct anglers to rig up with chunks of bunker that they supply. Sometimes, you will be instructed to use heavy weight, while other times, anglers will be told to use light weights and fish their baits with the current.

When rigging up, be sure to follow the crew’s instructions. It’s their duty to put you into fish, and they are going to do everything in their power to make sure you catch blues. If you do not have the proper hooks or weights, talk to a mate. He’ll have everything you need and will help get you set up so you can catch fish.
Catching Bluefish
Once the boat is rigged and ready to fish, the captain will blow a whistle or tell you over an intercom to begin fishing. This is the sign you’ve been waiting for. When bluefish start hitting, usually many anglers will hook fish at the same time. Now it gets fun! This is when an experienced crew is critical.

As you or someone else fights these brutal blues, the crew will instruct you where to go with your fish. If the fish begins running towards the boat’s bow, you’ll have to follow or risk crossing everyone’s lines and making an enormous mess. The mate will help you get from your fishing area to your fish; he will also help you land the fish when you finally get the fish close enough to take a gaff or a swing over the side.

The best party boat crews stress one thing when fishing – teamwork. They stress that every angler has to work together to minimize tangles and crossing others’ lines. On my most recent trip aboard the Norma K III, the crew stressed teamwork, and all anglers worked together.

I didn’t see one tangle the entire night, and the boat was almost full. By the end of the night, the group felt a great sense of camaraderie; in fact, many fares exchanged phone numbers so they could fish together again.

After you’ve landed your bluefish, you’ll need to keep him in something until the mates can clean him. Most party boats sell burlap bags, and I find these best to use. They only cost a couple of dollars and can fit any size bluefish. A cooler fills up fast and can only handle smaller blues; when you catch larger choppers, which you often will, they simply can’t fit into a cooler. Save your cooler for after your fish are filleted and ready to go.
Party boat bluefishing can be a blast. Anglers often catch many large chopper blues that they could not catch from the beach or even from a recreational boat. Be sure to get out on a party boat and have fun fishing the blues.