so- this year has been a "take what you can get" year in this area (central and eastern LIS) bait has been plentiful- almost too much at times. some guys did well soaking bunker over the deep ledges using 1-2 pound sinkers during the summer (the guys in the Striper Cup did well in this area doing this.... but its not everywhere. most ledges are vacant of fish, no matter what baits you put down there)

so bloofish have taken up the slack for me. (there have been some epic schoolie days too... don't get me wrong- they are fun, but still pretty small) but the bloos are BIG and MEAN and FAT(!) for the last 2 weeks, they have been rampaging on remaining bunker schools in the central LIS. small ones are 10 pounds. the bigger ones are 16+ pounds and 36-38inches..... we witnessed them chewing on schoolies like a pack of wolves surrounding their kill.
their topwater strikes have been unbelievable- just incredible to watch! smashing plugs, and tracking/swirling on poppers muliple times for spectacular visual fishing.....


I know they are hated by many of us... me too at times (especially when you can't get down to the intended fish underneath them) but this Fall, they have terrific opponents-

I have new respect for the much-maligned YED

My 9 year-old and I got in on this 10 days ago, near the mouth of the CT river. Huge bluefish everywhere, but whet got me was the savagery and aggression of the strikes. I'd cast a popper and be on before I could take in the slack and begin popping.

Caught 2 bluefish, 10+ pounds each, on the same cast.

Fat, aggressive fish.

Blue fish are a blast to watch and catch they are eating machines

now you need to tackle one[or 10] on a flyrod!

I caught a few on flys.... but the topwater bites on spooks were even more fun to watch.....!