Saltwater Fishing for Blue Fin Trevally

If you want to expand your saltwater fishing horizons, try the Bluefin Trevally. The Bluefin is the most beautiful of all the jacks and trevallys. Like the Big Eye trevally it is not often targeted by anglers but should be. They are found along rocky shorelines in close proximity to sandy patches of water. They are tough fighters, perhaps pound for pound the toughest of ALL jacks and trevallys and are fun to catch.

Description: The body of the Bluefin trevally is deeper than other jacks and trevallys and it's head slants towards a pointed snout. Its basic body color is silvery to blue with yellow highlights often with small black spots on its body and head. Throughout its body there are many irredescent, almost flourescent bright blue dots, blotches and patches. The same brilliant blue coloring also highlights the fins and tail of this fish. An average Bluefin trevally would be 10 pounds or so. The IGFA All-tackle record is 23 pounds 14 ounces.

Fishing Techniques: These fish are not only strong, but smart and will quite often head to the rocks which is a typical characteristic of most trevallys. By Boat: These fish are most often caught on small boats which are capable of getting in close to and maneuvering around rocky shorelines particularly areas with large protruding boulders. These fish can be caught by pitching live bait in amongst these rocks but most are caught by casting top water lures. Occasionally they will hit a "Rapala" type lure in these same areas. Surf Fishing: Along rocky shorelines Bluefin trevally are caught almost exclusively with top water lures particularly Klassic poppers and similar types slowly retrieved along the surface amongst the rocks, without any twitching, jerking etc. Fly Fishing: Try using 2/0 popper-type flies around large protruding rocks as well as sardine pattern streamers.

Edibility & Cleaning: Bluefin trevally are probably the best eating of the trevallys but not in the same class and the Yellowtail jack or Almaco jack. Fillet a Bluefin as you would any other similar type fish. Bleeding of the fish upon capture will take away most of the gamy flavor.