Bluefish Statistics

Record Bluefish Weights

State Award Weights

Record Bluefish Lengths

State Award Lengths

Bluefish Water Temperature

The following generalizations about water temperature apply to bluefish from the Middle Atlantic Bight. Generally, juvenile and adult bluefish differ in how they respond to water temperature, notably adult bluefish are more willing to brave colder temps. For anglers, what water temperatures will bring bluefish in the spring and by what temperature they will leave in the fall is of note. For spring adults 53.6 F target for bluefish to show up, can start hunting as cold as 45 F. For spring snappers 53.6 F target for them to show up, can start hunting as cold as 46.4 F. For fall snappers, leaving by 60.8 F, some stragglers until 53.6 F. For fall adults, leaving by 55.4 F, some stragglers until 46.4 F .

Note that the previously mentioned spring water temperature for snappers applies to non young of the year fish as well. For actual young of the year fish of catchable size, you will generally be waiting a few months later.

Note that while bluefish do show up in water colder 57 F as previously noted, 57 F is regarded to be roughly the bottom limit before bluefish are stressed. So their presence in colder water temperatures should be regarded as due to some external drive rather than a comfortable environment.

Bluefish Growth Rate

The following generalizations about growth apply to bluefish from the Middle Atlantic Bight. Generalized growth rates (not maximums / minimums)
By two months old: 2.36 inches
By one year old: 9 inches
By two years old: 13 inches
By three years old: 17 inches
By four years old: 21 inches

Max growth rates
Year 0: 12 inches
Year 1: 18 inches
Year 2: 24 inches
Year 3: 28 inches

References

International Game Fish Association
New York Sea Grant
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service