Lets all kill the blues
 

That way when our children are fishing they to can say remember when we used to fish with dad and the blues were like candy in a candy shop.

Out in 3 different spots watching blues get gaffed, party, personals didnt matter.

Spare a blue buy a new net. I dont get it, if you dine on em I got nothing to say but killing these fish because some one doesnt want to screw a net or your noodle stick cant handle the lift is not admirable.

All fish were revived and released as practiced.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

A lot of people eat bluefish.....because you don't, you are making a huge assumption.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Save the yellow eyed demons. My skill set is no match for the elusive striped ones.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Rich, I appreciate your view and taking the time to comment, But I clearly stated that " if you dine on them I have nothing to say".......I have been on the party boats, I have been at the docks when getting back and watched people say no to the blues and I am well aware they get utilized as bait.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Didn't we hash out this topic on a previous thread already?

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Doesn't matter. This thread has been going on for years. Bluefish are probably the most resilient fish in the ocean. Believe me, if they were in any danger the powers that be would pounce immediately and shut down or severely limit recreational bluefishing while increasing commercial quotas. Hell, they went to defcon 5 when the dogfish population fell one short of expected. Don't get these guys started, please!

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

If you've been their done that than walk on by - why reply if you think its a rehash. The beauty of this site is that its freedom of speach. Replying only bring its back up to the top.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

When we were getting them on my boat we didn't use a net or gaff. Get the fish close, rod in the holder, grab the jig. All released unharmed.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Ahh, yes, the endangered bluefish. Almost as scarce as the endangered dogfish.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

I actually use them to fertilize my garden. Usually use about 45 nice sized ones. If you plant in the fall you would be amazed what you can produce in the spring. Highly recommend it.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

sheesh I put them in the garden once...the worms wouldn't even eat them:D

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

NOBODY SAVED ME ANY BUFFALO!!!!! KILLEM ALL!!!!!!!
WE DIDN'T STAR THE FIRE!!!!!!!!!
IS THE FISHING THAT BAD:rolleyes:

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Funny responses. Bunker Dunker yes the fishing was that bad, the striped ones are illusive and the blues tend to save the day. Gardens are good. Blues in trash cans are what bother me....and yes Rich not every one dumps their fish, and yes every one has the right to spend money on a trip and kill/keep/bring home as a pet anything they want, I am just saying personally, for me, its seems like a shame.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Put them in the smoker, they are AWESOME !!

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

I tried smoking one once. I couldn't keep the pipe lit .

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

:D :D :D :D :D

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Yea slight problem tho...they keep eating our bunker. So in order to save our bunker we need to kill the bluefish. Where are your priorities man!!!

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Nice - that logic I can live with. They were eating Sea Robins on the LI side of Amrbose yesterday, thats a plus, depleating the bunker, NO GOOD. Kill those damn blues like I said in the first place.

I wish smoking them did the trick for me. We can debate a good recipe all day long too, yet another thread beat to crap.

I do wonder why all summer we see bunker in the RB and between the channels yet no fish (blue or striped) - water to warm or enough food sources out deep or both or neither? WHere do the rain fish/sand eels go all summer? So many questions so little brain capacity.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

All kidding aside.....There is a lot of waste. Whether it affects the population/biomass is another story.

Anytime I've been on a PB bluefish trip I've seen fish thrown back dead, dried in the sun, ect....

If you are using them for fertilizer, I guess that's ok. At least they are going to use.

Leid

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

You're right Andy! Was offered some on an offshore trip some years back and like everyone around me I turned it down, except my wife, who said it was great, which prompted me to try it - delicious.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, took a number of smoked filets (we sub Teriyaki for soy in the marinade) on a bluefish boat. Same thing, guys I know turned it down until I twisted their arm to try and they all liked/luved it. Actually have request for next time I smoke some.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

^^^ unless your boat has super high gunwales I don't get why it has to be more complicated than this.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Blues are the best fish to smoke
You need that oil to keep it from turning dry
Much better than whiting

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

A bag of 5-10-5 is about $20 bucks, chicken poop is better, and if you compost its free. Chicken poop smells, but decomposing fish in your garden stinks. Using them for fertilizer is you right but........... Let them go if you dont want to eat them! After all, most of us fish for the sport first and then to bring food home for the table. Smoking them is great!All abundant resources came come crashing to an end. As was said earlier, this topic was beat to death in an earlier thread.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

I was guilty of waste years ago before the limit went into effect--never did want the limit unless a buddy at work wanted some--started boarding all of them-yes, even the alligators after I'd caught all I wanted-of course I'd go to the windward side and jig 'em up by myself and the chum bucket...if they weren't chicken blues I'd marinate 'em for 24hrs using a modified recipe gotten from the Fisherman...only kept as many as I could use after I smartened up and the mates couldn't sell 'em at the co-op...and yes, the 'gators were very good, as were the Skippys!!!!Use it for tuna, also--an excellent marinade...
Pete, you need a Turkish water pipe for them.....

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

Early spring there were so many blues in Raritan Bay the bass were following them to the boat.Great sport, nothing better than watching a youngster eyes light up when that rod bends over double.We keep a couple and "ice'' them down good.All the rest are released.Very important fish for New Jersey and always has been.Respect the resource but enjoy the sport.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

I agree with swinging the blues on to the deck when possible.I also know the need to control a wild fish jumping around on board.Hooks in hands etc...That being said,years ago I made a small hook gaff bout a 10/0 with the barb shaved off.this can be used to hook the blue on top behind the dorsal with no blood or damage to the fish when released.its quick, clean,and nobody gets hurt.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

I really like to eat the smaller blues, say less than 5 pounds, BUT only fresh on the day you catch them.

IMHO, Blues do not freeze well! The frozen fish that comes out of the freezer is not the same as the fish that went into the freezer...even if its only frozen for a week or so.

However, frozen or not, they do make great chum when you grind them up like bunker, or mackerel for your next blue fishing trip. My Dad and I did this for over 30 years using a hand meat grinder (a big one) in his back yard. If you do this, watch out for the hundreds of yellow jackets which are somehow attracted by the smell.

Denny

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

It's Disgusting, And Next Year The First Person That Says Where Are The Blues? "you Can Tell Them To Many Slaughters"
As Funny As You Think It Is, Nothing Lasts Forever And They Are Taking One Hell Of A Beating:(

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

I kept a few and used the for bear bait in Canada and they worked great. Got bear of two of the tree we had them hanging on.

Re: Lets all kill the blues
 

There was no bluefish in the 50's and it had nothing to do with overfishing

They'll do what they wanna do