Bluefish run through NE FL in big schools, busting bait at the inlets, surf, and nearshore. Mayport jetty and St. Augustine inlet during running tides are classic spots. They follow the bait — wherever you see birds and crashing fish, blues are usually involved. Aggressive, indiscriminate feeders.
Steely blue-green back, silvery sides, prominent forked tail, sharp teeth that earn them their reputation. Florida limit is 3 fish per day, no minimum size on the Atlantic coast. Most NE FL blues are 1-5 lb 'tailor blues'; bigger 10+ lb fish push through during fall migration.
Two main windows — spring (April-May) on the migration north and fall (October-November) coming back south. Summer most have moved north; winter they're south. The fall run brings the bigger fish, and the action can be insane when a school finds bait at an inlet jetty.
Throw shiny — a Gotcha plug, a metal spoon, or a Hopkins lure — into busting fish. Use a short wire bite leader (12 inches) because their teeth slice through fluorocarbon instantly. Aggressive retrieve; slow only if they're suspended. Watch your fingers when you land one — they bite hard and they thrash.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.