And while this isn’t a false assumption, there are times and scenarios where I have encountered very large striped bass keyed on these small baits. I say this because the silverside is an often-overlooked baitfish by the surfcaster, unless they wield a fly rod or target schoolies as silversides are generally associated with smaller stripers and blues. One baitfish that I almost left off this list, but which I ultimately decided to include, is the silverside. I guess, in a way, this variety and uncertainty is a big part of what makes fishing the late fall surf so exciting! However, there are times and locations where sand eels, sea herring and even squid add into the mix, not to mention more isolated events where such forage as juvenile weakfish or Atlantic mackerel top the menu of local predators. In general, where I fish in southern New England, I most commonly encounter silversides, bunker (peanuts on up to adults), mullet and hickory shad. That said, there are some generalities that can be made regarding bait in the fall surf as it relates to striped bass and bluefish based on what has happened in the past when we look at not what has taken place over the span of a year or two, but over a much longer timeframe. The unpredictable weather often seen in the fall has a way of shaking things up, moving bait around and sometimes even ruining a good thing we have going. Trying to predict not only where the fish will be, but also what bait they’ll be feeding on can be difficult. Even the best-laid plans can be thrown right out the window when Mother Nature drops a surprise nor’easter on us, or we see snowflakes in the short-term forecast. In the fall, however, it is not as simple. In the early part of the season weather patterns in New England can be far more easily predicted. Heck, the late fall can oftentimes be worlds different week to week and even day to day! The only reason I did not place the Cotton Cordell popper in the top spot is the fact that it comes with two treble hooks (belly hook can be removed), making the catch and release process a bit more difficult.There are some very big differences in fishing the fall surf-say, any time after October 1-than those outings of July or August. There were several times when I casted the Cordell popper and within seconds of it hitting the water, a big blue had already launched an attack. For example, this past summer I encountered a massive school of bluefish feeding just below the surface. As one member noted, this detail makes it a great option for younger or more inexperienced anglers, as you don’t have to retrieve it in a specific fashion in order to get strikes, as is the case with some other topwater lures.Īdditionally, this lure produces a loud rattle on the retrieve, which can elicit some spectacular surface strikes. For instance, some days I like to fish it in a slower “walk the dog” pattern, while on other days a faster retrieve that causes lots of surface commotion may result in the most strikes. My favorite feature of this lure is that it can be retrieved at a range of speeds and motions. Personally, I have had more success with the 7 inch red/white Cordell pencil popper than any other lure, and this is my go-to when bluefish are feeding on the surface. When it comes to topwater lures, it is hard to beat the Cotton Cordell. However, if you're looking to catch a big bluefish this season, then you'll have a great chance by casting any of the lures featured below. The following list of "The Top 10 Best Bluefish Lures" was created by incorporating my own experiences with input from a number of My Fishing Cape Cod members, and by no means is this list the authority on bluefish lures. This is when choosing the right color and type of lure can be the difference between a disappointing outing and all-out mayhem! However, there are some days, often when it is flat calm, that bluefish can be seen finning on the surface and are incredibly picky. When it comes to lure selection, bluefish are not as picky as striped bass, and are often willing to slam a wide variety of jigs, topwater plugs, and subsurface lures. Indeed, my favorite type of fishing during the summer months is targeting big blues on light tackle. While striped bass often capture the hearts and attention of near shore anglers in the Northeast, it’s hard to ignore the impressive fighting capabilities of bluefish. “Gators.” “Choppers.” “Yellow-eyed devils.” These are all nicknames for one of the most aggressive inshore species to prowl New England's coastal waters: the bluefish!
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