Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Bluefish get their name from their color.

They are a greenish blue with silvery sides and a white belly.

Bluefish have a pointed snout and large mouth with many sharp teeth.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	3 per shore or private boat anglers. 5 per anglers on ‘for-hire’ vessels (Headboats and Charter boats).
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Inland Bays
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Bluefish live near the surface or in the water column in loose groups. They are fast swimmers and voracious predators which prey on schools of fish.
Did You Know?	Bluefish are so aggressive they have bitten human swimmers who were unfortunate enough to encounter a feeding school. Bluefish are well known to anglers as an incredible fighter with tremendous power.
Common Lures and Baits	When Bluefish are in a feeding frenzy, they will strike almost any object in front of them. Bluefish are caught by trolling or casting artificial lures. Cut pieces of fish (like mullet or squid strips) while surfishing are good for catching Bluefish.
Typical Sizes Caught	Bluefish are commonly caught in the range of 12 to 20 inches in length by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 29 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 27 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 12 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 10 pounds minimum
Delaware State Record	24 pounds 14.4 ounces Dr. Luis Mispireta 2015

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