After running out of spoons and not really wanting to pay high prices for more, I took some jig heads and put a six-inch wire leader on them. Then I put a three-inch chartreuse swim tail grub on the jig and began casting to the rocks at the end of the jetties. The number of boat anchored in the current off the jetties made this a tough proposition because I was drifting so fast, but I hooked up on almost every cast. One grub tail lasted for an average of only three fish because of the sharp teeth on a bluefish. But it was fun.
Carelessness set in one more time before I ended the day around noon. I had caught one fish on each cast for the last ten casts. Ten casts, ten fish. Anxious to extend that streak, I lost track of what I was doing. Removing the hook for the current bluefish, I looked away for just an instant to see where the boat was drifting. Before I could look down again, this bluefish had snapped and in doing so, he buried his teeth into my left thumb. The shaking action of his head only made things worse – and very painful. I understand why these scrappy fighters are called “snapper” blues in New England.
With blood everywhere – it’s amazing how badly a finger seems to bleed – I let that last fish for the day go back in the water and headed in.
The blues and Spanish are definitely moving north. For Florida anglers, they have arrived in North Florida. For the rest of the east coast, they will arrive any day. Try my methods and see if you can beat my record – ten casts, ten fish!
