Where to Fish for Bluefish Today

Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.

Preferred conditions

Water temp: 60–80°F (ideal 70°F)
Tide: incoming
Moon: either
Depth: 5–50 ft
Active months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Best bluefish conditions today

Sort Open harvest only

What anglers are reporting about bluefish

From the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report, published May 27, 2026 · 61 days old — a newer report may be available.

Lower Bay

Deeper waters along channel edges are being targeted by anglers jigging with soft plastic jigs or by trolling with umbrella rigs down along the 30-foot edges. It is a good idea to place a few Drone spoons behind inline weights for the bluefish that are in the region. The steep channel edge of the Potomac from St. Georges Island to Piney Point, the lower Patuxent and the eastern side of the bay from Buoy 76 to Buoy 72 are worth exploring. Red and black drum are being found on the eastern side of the Bay from the Middle Grounds up past the Target Ship and Tangier Sound. Finding them on depth finders and dropping soft crab baits to them is the most popular way to fish.

Species mentioned: black drum, bluefish

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

Surf anglers are enjoying good fishing off the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Anglers fishing with large cut baits are catching large striped bass, red drum and bluefish. Most of the striped bass measure over the maximum slot size of 31 inches, but provide exciting catch-and-release action, as do the large red drum. Black drum are being caught on sand fleas and clams. At the Ocean City Inlet and Route 50 Bridge area, anglers are catching striped bass by casting soft plastic jigs and paddletails . A fair number of the striped bass being caught are falling within the 28-31 inch slot.

Species mentioned: black drum, bluefish, red drum, striped bass

Excerpts are anecdotal and reflect a single week's observations from DNR biologists and reporting anglers — not predictions. Use as one signal among many; verify against current conditions before planning a trip.

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (tidal)

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

tidal bay

Min size: 8"
Creel: 5

Chesapeake Bay: 8-inch minimum. 5 per person on shore or private boat; 7 per person on for-hire (charter) boats. Federal ASMFC bluefish allocation — limit may change annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

atlantic

Min size: 8"
Creel: 5

Atlantic coast and coastal bays: 8-inch minimum. 5 per person on shore or private boat; 7 per person on for-hire boats. Subject to ASMFC coastwide allocation.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Delaware (tidal)

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

tidal delaware

Creel: 3

Delaware Bay and tidal tributaries: no size limit. 3 fish/day from shore or private vessel, 5/day from charter or headboat. ASMFC coastwide allocation — may change annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

atlantic

Creel: 3

Delaware Atlantic coast and Inland Bays: no size limit. 3 fish/day from shore or private vessel, 5/day from charter or headboat. ASMFC coastwide allocation.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (tidal — VMRC)

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

tidal bay

Creel: 5

Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay): no minimum size, 5 per person per day. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-450 (effective March 31, 2026). Slightly looser than MD (5/day private, 7/day for-hire, 8-inch min).

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

atlantic

Creel: 5

Virginia Atlantic coast: no minimum size, 5 per person per day. 4VAC20-450 — matches the tidal Bay rule. ASMFC coastwide allocation; adjusted annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Potomac main stem (PRFC)

Stale: last verified 96 days ago.

tidal potomac

Min size: 8"
Creel: 3

Potomac River main stem (PRFC): 8-inch minimum, 3 per day. Bluefish reach the lower tidal Potomac in summer but are not a primary fishery that far upriver. PRFC Blue Sheet rule. Stricter creel than either MD or VA tidal Bay.

Source · verified 2026-04-22