THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411100193
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Tight Lines
SOURCE: Ford Reid
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
As the sun came up, and the tide with it, a few birds began to venture out over the ocean in search of breakfast.
They were moving slowly, sluggishly, much like people who have just rolled out of the sack. Then one of them made a sharp turn to his left and a beeline for a spot where there had just been a splash.
Then there was another splash, and another, and soon dozens of birds were hovering over the spot.
It is a sight that quickens the heart of any angler because it means that something is swimming, and probably feeding, out there.
In this case it was bluefish. Many, many bluefish.
Two tosses with a metal jig and I was fast to a 2-pound fish. Then there was another bluefish on the line and another. For half an hour, a dozen people caught bluefish, one after another.
Bluefish, however, are much maligned by many surf fishermen.
In New England, the really serious anglers are interested only in striped bass, what we call rockfish down here. Bluefish are only a nuisance, they say, somehow implying that their quarry is more noble.
On the Outer Banks, some red drum fishermen feel the same way.
Now I have nothing against either red drum or rockfish. Catching either is a great challenge with great rewards.
But I don't like people bad-mouthing bluefish.
Part of it is because bluefish can be so easy to catch. If you can find them feeding, you can almost always catch them, especially in the surf.
I will admit that catching a bluefish is nowhere near as impressive as catching a big rockfish or a big red drum. Frankly, it does not take a whole lot of skill to trick, hook and land even an enormous bluefish.
But that doesn't make it bad.
I believe that ounce for ounce, bluefish are second only to false albacore among inshore fish as fighters. Even a small bluefish, on light tackle, will give you your money's worth.
I also like bluefish because they will come to the surface and take a plug. I like to watch. There are few things in angling more exciting to me than watching a blue gobble a plug.
Besides, I like to eat bluefish. If they are cleaned quickly and eaten fresh they are a great treat.
The best fishing for blues is on us. Take advantage of it. Don't let anyone tell you that it is not great fun.
However, two reminders are in order.
It might sometimes look as if the ocean is full of bluefish but that is not true. Keep a few to eat, certainly, but release the rest and release them gently.
If you clean fish on the beach, take the carcasses with you. No, the birds won't clean up your mess, especially in the fall when thousands of bluefish are being caught.
On the National Seashore beaches, taking your trash with you is the law. Everywhere, it is the right thing to do. by CNB