Things You'll Need:
- Thick gloves
- Pliers
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Step 1
Put on a pair of heavy duty gloves before handling or even approaching your catch. Bluefish are very strong and ferocious fish with sharp teeth and can weigh up to 20 lbs. on the East coast, so assess the size of each particular fish and enlist help if necessary.
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Step 2
Free your blue fish in a suitable area with relative depth away from heavy human habitation. Release adults offshore in all seasons and young bluefish in the fall and winter months. Move inshore to release young fish during spring and summer as in warmer weather young shoals come in closer to land.
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Step 3
Position yourself at least 1 meter above the surface of the water where you have your bluefish to avoid an attack. Take a pair of long handle pliers and secure the fishing hook between the clamps. Slowly prize the hook from the mouth of the bluefish taking care not to snag on any other part of the fish or tackle when you bring it up from water.
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Step 4
Release the fish as soon as possible either to join a shoal or to eat. Bluefish have an unfair reputation for having an unpleasant taste but if you eat them immediately and marinade in vinegar, wine or acidic juice, served with fresh vegetables, they make a wonderful main dish.
