How to Catch a Blue Fish From Shore
Catching blue fish from shore is an exciting way to land these aggressive and sometimes ballistic fish. There's just a few things you need to know in order to catch them. First always, fish during the summer when the schools are running, and find them in their favorite spots, near beaches, jetties, and rocks where they can coral bait fish. Here's what you need to know.
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Things You'll Need
- Surf rod 7' to 10'
- Swimming plug, surface plug or bait
- Gaf or fish gripper
Instructions
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1
Go to a beach or jetty during the later summer months, from July to August when the blue fish are running. At times they will also swim up the channels in salt rivers.
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2
Scan the water for signs of blue fish marauding schools of bait. When they attack a school, the baitfish scatter and it looks like the water is being peppered with shrapnel. Also Look for seagulls or birds diving into the water to catch bait fish. Where there are bait fish, there usually are a few blues around.
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3
Cast your lure or plug towards the school and start to retrieve it very quickly. If you are using bait, just cast to the school and wait.
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4
Jerk your rod up sharply and cause a splash with your surface plug, or a sharp movement with a swimming plug. The more action you put into the lure, the more likely you are to attract a blue fish.
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5
Set the hook when you feel a strike, after waiting a second or two. Give two sharp tugs on the rod to ensure the hook is set in the blue fish's bony jaw.
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Land the fish with care, avoiding contact with their mouth, which is full of razor sharp teeth.
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Tips & Warnings
Using surface plugs are a great way to attract blues when they are chasing bait fish on the surface of the water, because they splash and make a lot of noise. Swimming plugs will get to the blue fish when they are chasing schools that are deeper in the water.
Blue fish have very sharp teeth and they will bite you. Always use a gaf, or fish gripper to handle these fish. Also, be careful while fighting them on the jetty, they can be explosive so be sure you have solid footing.
