Gear & Tackle

Bluefish

Bluefish Fishing in Florida

Toothy, aggressive schooling fish of the Atlantic coast that blitz bait in the surf and bays.

Waters
4
State
Florida
Water
Saltwater
Methods
Fly, Spin & Bait

Best Months in Florida: May to Oct

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Bluefish
Image: Duane Raver, USFWS · Public domain

Licenses & Regulations

Most anglers need a Florida fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Plan by Month

Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Bluefish

Month

4 picks for October.

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Rod & Reel

Bluefish Setup

Fly

9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast

7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.

Florida

Where to Catch Bluefish

4 of 4 waters

Saltwater & Coast · Florida

Jupiter Inlet

The inlet joining the Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal to the ocean, with a south jetty at Jupiter Beach Park fished for snook, bluefish, sheepshead, and jacks.

Snook · Bluefish · Sheepshead

Saltwater & Coast · Florida

Matanzas Inlet

The inlet south of St. Augustine at Fort Matanzas National Monument, where shore anglers catch redfish, sheepshead, seatrout, bluefish, and flounder.

Redfish · Sheepshead · Speckled Trout

Saltwater & Coast · Florida

Nassau Sound

A sound north of Jacksonville, crossed by a fishing pier, where anglers catch redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and bluefish.

Redfish · Flounder · Sheepshead

Saltwater & Coast · Florida

Sebastian Inlet

A 500-foot inlet through a barrier island state park between the Indian River Lagoon and the ocean, with fishing jetties on both sides.

Snook · Redfish · Flounder

Florida

Shops to Stock Up

Recommended

Gear for Bluefish

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

Check Price

Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

Check Price

Spoons

Acme Kastmaster Spoon

A dense spoon that casts a mile and flutters on the fall.

Check Price

Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

Check Price

Bluefish Fishing by State

Massachusetts (5)New Jersey (4)Florida (4)New York (3)Rhode Island (2)Maryland (2)Delaware (2)North Carolina (2)Georgia (1)Alabama (1)Maine (1)South Carolina (1)Virginia (1)Connecticut (1)