Bluefish Bashing

[Reelron]

Originally Posted by lunkertaker

Hands down one of the best fighting fish in the ocean

"Thank you GOD for giving us Bluefish to catch, but can you improve their taste and make them taste like ling, blackfish, seabass, or fluke?"

An answer to this prayer could save the world from hunger...please pray for this

A truly hungry person will eat a bluefish, in a heartbeat, no questions asked. In many parts of the world a bluefish, no matter what the size IS an answer to a prayer!

[sternline]

Originally Posted by captbogan

Recently, I was standing, net at-the-ready, next to a guy who was fighting what he thought was a big striper. The fish was peeling drag, dogging down, running out, running in.... Finally it smashed out of the water, head thrashing in an attempt to throw the lure that was stuck in its serrated jaws. Then, the guy starts cursing. I ask him, "What's the matter?" And he says, "I don't want that piece of #&%$!"

I don't get how a fisherman can get so po'd about fighting one of the toughest, meanest game fish in the ocean. Yes, we'd rather catch bass and yes, they do put a hurting on the tackle inventory. But I think we should have a little respect for these kickass choppers. And blues are good eating too: They get a bad rap because they are often mishandled and over cooked. Keep em in a cooler with ice and salt water, bleed them before they die and cook them till they are just cooked through and they taste great.

My hat is off to you, O yellow eyed, razor toothed, tackle buster

Thank you, Captain! It's great to hear these words of wisdom. No point in arguing about taste with anybody. My wife and I eat fish every other night and bluefish is one of our favorites. There's a terrific book about bluefish by one of America's great authors, John Hersey. It's title is BLUES. Great reading for the winter months and a nice Xmas present.

[howarda780]

I think we forget what fishing was like. In the '70's I used to fish on the old Gambler and head out to the acid grounds and fish for blues with Krocs and Hopkins.

Charter and party boats would run day and night to catch them. We would run as far north as Jones Beach and as far south as Harvey Cedars. This was in boats that would only do 10 knots.

I can almost smell the fresh ground chum, a cold Schaefer, and please pass me a banana.

[Ol Pedro]

I tend to get jaded when it comes to Bluefish since I've seen/cut/caught so many of them but those Gators can fight ! On the Gambler trip last Sunday I had one take me around the stern and part way up the port side. That fish kicked my buttox ! I donate my catch to my West African Friends at work . They seem to like the taste of the Fall Bluefish better than Spring/Summer. I have had Bluefish chunks with bones in that they breaded, fried , and simmered in curry that is "Out Of Bounds" at our potlucks. As Capt. Bob and others have said it's all in the way that you handle them.

[bunker dunker]

Those Big Blues That Were Here A Few Weeks Back Were Out Of Control!!!! Yep Jump On The Old Gambler With A Bucket Full Of Bingle Bananas.thats When All The Peeps Brought Reel Gear.broom Sticks With 50lb Mono.

[Reelron]

The club I belong to runs a 10# bluefish trip every year. No, I t doesn't mean that we go looking to catch only 10# blues. It means we spool everyones reel with some 10# line then we go hunt Gators!

Wanna have some fun, just try and land those big ones on that 10# test line! It is even more fun watching many of these Hot Shot Striper guys tackle ol' yellow eyes on light gear!

Not much waste as the fish not released or kept by members are cut and taken to the food bank!

[captbogan]

Originally Posted by sternline

Thank you, Captain! It's great to hear these words of wisdom. No point in arguing about taste with anybody. My wife and I eat fish every other night and bluefish is one of our favorites. There's a terrific book about bluefish by one of America's great authors, John Hersey. It's title is BLUES. Great reading for the winter months and a nice Xmas present.

I had that book but must have lent it to someone --it was good

[Bushkill]

I love catching them. Have taken a fair number of my former students fishing for them and turned them into world beaters fishing for the demons. My son too can only be sated catching the bluefish.
I have a friend coming up from Virginia tomorrow with his son and though we want a fish or two with lines on the side, we can bail blues all day and walk away absolutely thrilled.

Tight lines

[addictedtobass]

Originally Posted by captbogan

Recently, I was standing, net at-the-ready, next to a guy who was fighting what he thought was a big striper. The fish was peeling drag, dogging down, running out, running in.... Finally it smashed out of the water, head thrashing in an attempt to throw the lure that was stuck in its serrated jaws. Then, the guy starts cursing. I ask him, "What's the matter?" And he says, "I don't want that piece of #&%$!"

I don't get how a fisherman can get so po'd about fighting one of the toughest, meanest game fish in the ocean. Yes, we'd rather catch bass and yes, they do put a hurting on the tackle inventory. But I think we should have a little respect for these kickass choppers. And blues are good eating too: They get a bad rap because they are often mishandled and over cooked. Keep em in a cooler with ice and salt water, bleed them before they die and cook them till they are just cooked through and they taste great.

My hat is off to you, O yellow eyed, razor toothed, tackle buster

awesome fish and fun as hell to mess around with better to catch something than nothing!!!