THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407210188
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 50 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Ford Reid
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Along the beach was the usual assortment of summertime fishermen. Tourists, mostly, trying to catch something, trying to catch anything.
Now and then someone would drag in a spot or a flounder, usually under sized.
Then, an hour after sunrise and near the top of the tide, the fun began.
Out on the smooth, smooth water there was a small splash, then another and another until finally one little section of water looked like it was coming to a boil.
A small jig, tossed to the edge of that water and retrieved rapidly, confirmed a suspicion: It was bluefish making the commotion.
One of the feeding fish, with others in his wake, darted out of the pack, grabbed the jig and was hooked. In a few minutes, he had been landed and released. A cast was made and another fish was hooked.
I wish that I could tell you otherwise, but honesty compels me to report that it takes no great skill to trick and hook a feeding bluefish. When they are in a frenzy, they will snap at anything, and everything, that moves in the water.
I have seen them caught on the most unlikely tackle, including fresh water outfits that looked barely adequate for farm pond fishing.
Presentation, lure selection and all of the other nuances that make fishing a challenge are not part of this game.
Find bluefish and you can surely catch them.
To find them, look for feeding birds or splashing fish. Once you see it, especially on a day when the ocean is calm, you will recognize it.
A word of caution: Even bluefish can be spooked. When you see feeding fish, cast to the edge of the school. A Hopkins lure dropped into the middle of the fish can send them packing in a hurry.
When they disappear, and they will, don't worry too much. They will probably be back, especially if the tide is still coming in.
The important thing is to be ready for them when they do show up. A snap swivel will allow you to quickly change from a bottom rig to a small jig.
Some anglers prefer to carry a second rod, rigged for small bluefish and waiting for their arrival. For one thing, that allows you to use a much lighter rod for the blues, which makes catching them more fun.
And fun they are. Even when they are quite small, bluefish have a lot of spunk. They hit hard and fight even harder.
They are a perfect introduction to surf fishing for children. But that doesn't mean they aren't a lot of fun for older people, too.
To be a keeper, a bluefish must be 10 inches long. Anything smaller than that must be returned to the water.
Small bluefish make good eating. But don't get greedy. You might be tempted to fill a cooler. Don't do it. Bluefish do not freeze very well. Take enough for supper and release the rest.
And release them carefully. Don't drag them across the sand and, for goodness sake, don't kick them.
Give the fish a fighting chance to survive and in a few falls, when it has time to grow, it might repay your kindness. by CNB