Bluefish have settled into Long Island waters just in time for the season’s first surf fishing tournament. Jones Beach Fishing Station is hosting the 1st Annual Hunt For the 20 Pound Bluefish Tournament this weekend. Fishing kicks off this Saturday, May 11 at 8 a.m. and continues through 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12. The $15 entry fee includes a hat or T-shirt and you can sign up in person at the shop located in Jones Beach Parking Field 10. Fish must be caught from shore and weighed at Jones Beach Fishing Station by 3 p.m. Sunday. Prizes will be awarded for the three largest bluefish with $200 for first place, $100 for second place and tackle prizes for third place.
This past weekend saw some blues into the mid and upper teens beached by casters in some parts of the Island, so the fish are here. The past few years have seen the best bluefish action of the season take place in the spring, as the choppers have been conspicuously absent during much of the fall. The contest boundaries include some prime spring locations to connect with a big bluefish. Bounded by Debs (East Rockaway) Inlet to the west, and the Fire Island Lighthouse to the east, casters can focus on traditional spring hotspots like the West End Construction Dock area, West End Two Jetty, Cedar Beach and Democrat Point.
While many casters will likely rely on bunker chunks to tempt a slammer blue, don’t overlook the potential of top water plugs. Some very big blues have fallen to large poppers or pencils when fitted with beefed up hooks and split rings, as big blues will make short work of poor quality hardware. If you go the plugging route, consider replacing the lure’s trebles with single in-line hooks. They provide a solid hookup and are a whole lot easier to remove from the tooth filled mouth of a big blue. Needless to say the single hooks are also a lot easier on released fish.
For more information, contact Ed Walsh at 631-559-5938 or JONESBEACHFISHING@YAHOO.COM.
