Return of the big blues?

[sand flea]

During the last year, I'm hearing lots of talk about big blues coming back into the surf again.

These aren't the 15-20# choppers we saw in the 1980's, but many of them are around the 10-pound mark.

In the late 80's, one of the fishing magazines did a piece on the cyclical nature of big blues. The conclusion of the piece was that even though overfishing and depletion of forage could explain some collapses, they dated back until the mid-1800's, and seemed to come in waves that lasted for decades and were based on some cycle that has never been figured out.

Here's a quote from an old fishing encyclopedia I have at home that was published over a half-century ago:
It is believed that the nomad character of the bluefish is chiefly responsible for the cycles of scarcity and abundance in which it is to be found along the Atlantic coast. It may be plentiful in certain spots for several years, and then it will disappear for as many as ten or twelve years, only to return again in vast numbers.

I'm not saying the presence of blues is anything new. They're here every year. But these seem to be bigger than the past.

Any chance we're on a population upswing?

[NTKG]

cant see why its not possible. human interpretation of marine science is biased, flawed, and infantile. i've learned that in school........ cant see why comm's and rec's who love fishing couldnt develop their very own theories which would be as 50/50 as a researchers would be. in any case i hope that they are on a binge back, or is it because of this weather pattern the last few years? Only God knows, but for right now, i'll just keep enjoying big fish from da beach

[Pauky]

Do you think this cycle can run within certain age groups of the Bluefish and that's why they big ones are showing up this season? The cycle information seems to only indicate presence for all fish. I have a book that says the Bluefish "have gone through vast changes in abundance over the years. This is particularly true in the fringe areas of their range, such as north of Cape Cod, where they disappeared for so long at times in the past that no one knew what they were upon reappearing."

In any event, that's interesting info and I hope these big one's stay around the surf.

[Drumdum]

There have been quite a few bigguns offshore,for yrs now in NC,especially in the spring..

I know anglers love to catch the rascals,and yes they are fun and easy to catch. Spring blues,that I saw in 70's and 80's were always skinny and lightwieght,when they made the "return route" in the fall,they were monsters!

Lack of bait,as has been stated is probably the reason the big ones are staying offshore,as well as the cycle thing.. Another thing,and maybe some other anglers have noticed as well.. When the big grays were around and the bluefish were plentiful in the bay,and the stripers were on the down cycle. I know the stripers were helped,somewhat by man,but they are cyclic also.. Seemed kind of strange to me that the disappearence of bluefish in the surf,somewhat corresponded with the appearence of stripers?

Last couple of yrs in Hat have been pretty good for nice specks in the surf.. Be careful what ya wish for ya just might get it.. :rolleyes: :D Just letting ya know,I love catchen specks.. ;) :)

[Cobia Seeker]

Some years back the croakers left and all we caught were dinks for a long time. Then all of a sudden one spring the horse croakers just showed back up.

My dad and I started fishing Seagull in the 70's. It was not uncommon for a school of Blues to invade the pier all in the 10lb class. Citation size then was 18lbs if I remember correct and we never failed to score citations every spring. Then sometime in the later 80's the big Blues just disappered.

Same thing happened to the Rockfish. So be it changes in water quality, habitat or just simple over fishing I am a believer in the cycles fish go through. Maybe this is the end of just such a cycle.

[rattler]

i remember seeing 6-8lb blues run 10+lb greys right on the beach...an amasing site...and free fish...some had some hits on them...but they fileted nice...they are fun to catch...but they got attitude...only fish known that will feed till full... :--| ...and continue to feed...there are many more people hurt around the world by blues than sharkes...but when the big blues were here, so were the really big trout... :rolleyes:

[Dr. Bubba]

I saw a similar thing saying the bluefish will feed/kill even after they are full. Only fish observed to do so.

I mentioned this recent phenomenon to my Dad this evening. And, of course, he started tellin ridiculous bluefish stories!

I guess we might be in for some vicious tackle busting for the next coupla years.

[Drumdum]

Is that it is a cycle.. If it is and corresponds with previous yrs,could be interesting...

Back in the 70's and 80's the bluefish were thick,and biiiiig.. The kings were at an alltime high on the piers,big gray trout,plenty of cobes in the sound,a lot more false albacore.. But not as many cobes in the ocean,nor specks,nor stripers,and I personally didn't see as many spainish back then as I do now.. Seems there is a tradeoff,one fish cycle goes up and the others seem to have a corresponding cycle?

Anyway,I sure hope the kings do the same.. ;)

[NTKG]

i'll take that DD....

[Fishman]

Theyve been here all along just not in our local surf zone. I can remember many offshore seabass trips where there have been many large chopper type blues caught. I was not fun bringing up large seabass citation size that were cut off behinf the gillplates.

when conditions are right they will reapear.