Bluefish Catch and Cook, Is It A Trash Fish? | NJ Saltwater Fishing

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks for watching! Do you eat bluefish? Let me know your favorite ways to cook it.

[@jamespinto3675]

I’m frying some right now. The best way I think is you make a marinara sauce and slide the fillets in. Cook a few minutes and put it over linguine.

[@SaltySamFishing]

@@jamespinto3675 that sounds awesome, thanks for the recipe, I’ll definitely be trying that!

[@sduka1909]

Hello. You seem to know these fish well. Today I speared one, but the eggs had long, dark-red parasites. Is it common? Does it mean the fish is also infected or is it okay to consume it?

[@SaltySamFishing]

@@sduka1909 I can't really advise whether it's ok to eat it or not especially without seeing it but, if you're questioning comfortability with eating it, always play on the safe side. Lots of fish have worms and it sounds like this could be Philometra saltatrix which is fairly common in Bluefish after doing some research. Typically cooking the fish will get rid of the worms, but again, I would always advise to play it on the safe side if you are unsure.

[@mrwilson6106]

Used to eat them when I was a kid. So much fun catching little snappers from the pier and going on night blue charters with my dad. My dad used to say “if blues were the size of sharks the ocean would be empty”

[@SaltySamFishing]

I like that saying because it couldn't be more true! That would make the ocean quite a scary place lol

[@Khantrixfishing]

damn I love bluefish! plus the more oily a fish is, the more healthy it is for you. Packed with omega 3s! amazing catch and cook bro! waiting patiently for your channel to absolutely blow up!

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks man, I appreciate your support! And yeah bluefish is great and that’s so true, can’t beat those omega-3’s!

[@J.o.e_K]

100%

[@anthonypileggi1272]

Love all the videos good job bro!!

[@SaltySamFishing]

Much appreciated 👍

[@thefishpriest74]

I just subbed, I like your style and format. You being a fellow Jersey angler helps too! I was just on a charter this weekend out of Belmar. It was a bluefish slaughter for me. I must've caught 30 blues, the most on the boat! My tranx broke, so I ended up using my "backup" reel, which was a bass reel on a light setup. I ended up giving away fish, and towards the end started catch and releasing. I kept 2 blues and 2 bonitas. I was definitely sore the next day!

[@SaltySamFishing]

Appreciate the kind words, that sounds like an insane day! Bluefish will definitely tire you out after catching that many since they fight so hard-especially on light tackle. Sorry to hear about your Tranx but I guess it was for a good reason!

[@Localsummer_33]

Another relaxing, yet action packed video. Keep em coming!

[@SaltySamFishing]

Will do, thanks for watching!

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

When I was in my late teens to early 20’s in the mid to late 80’s my buds and I occasionally would hit the Jersey shore party boats for blues. Used to eat them but went mostly for the fight those fish would give. Slammer trips with so many fish 10+ lbs and you couldn’t list your arms after. Good times

[@SaltySamFishing]

Sounds like some great memories, bluefish are no joke!

[@dangareau]

Dogfish do make great British style fish and chips. I'm from Wildwood but lived in London and my wife was born and raised in the middle of England and her parents owned a takeaway. She confirmed it. The way we do it is to cut them into steaks (basically 2" cross sections), batter and fry. I eat 'em but don't cook them. The "bones" are cartilage and melt away so don't bother deboning. Try 'em. I can't tell them from Cod or Pollock. b PS: I hear they call them "Rock Salmon" instead of dogfish

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks for sharing that, that’s really interesting information, I certainly have to give it a try! Very interesting about “rock salmon”, wonder how that name came about!

[@DDfishes17]

Excellent content again, Sam!!! 🎣🐟

[@SaltySamFishing]

I appreciate it, thanks for checking out another video!

[@thelinecook]

Awesome video man!! You are doing an amazing job with these videos. I know a lot of people hate on the blues but I totally agree when done right they taste great to me. I have to ask you what camera are you shooting on when you were getting all that nice B roll? It looks amazing. 👌

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks Steve, I appreciate the support! I definitely agree, everyone’s got their tastes but lots of people are missing out on some good fish haha. I actually just use my iPhone! Cinematic mode on the camera app works wonders.

[@thelinecook]

@@SaltySamFishing that is crazy!! I never would have thought it was your phone. It seriously looks amazing. Keep up the great work Sam!

[@SaltySamFishing]

@@thelinecook yeah, it’s pretty convenient too, keeps everything light to carry around when fishing. Thanks again for watching!

[@mistercarpenter5895]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for posting it. Do you have a fillet knife you like? I only have one of those small Rapala ones that come with the leather sheath. Looking to upgrade before my LBI trip.

[@SaltySamFishing]

I believe I have the Dexter Russell filet knife. It’s pretty good just make sure to sharpen it. I got it at fisherman’s headquarters if you’re going to be on LBI!

[@David35445]

Nice job. I am so envious of your location, the stripers haven't made it this far north yet and we never get blue fish. Our winter flounder season has been killer this year though.

[@SaltySamFishing]

Glad to hear winter flounder has been productive though! Thats a species I haven’t tried to target yet. Hopefully the bass start getting up there relatively soon for you.

[@seahad4744]

Glad someone was on fish. All i got were horseshoe crabs which I didnt even know they would eat a baited hook lol. Cape may, well where i was, was not the move. I feel like a lot of "trash fish" arent trash, they just require a level of prep, cooking and recipes. I had a friend who tried Bonita right after he caught it and he said it was dang good.

[@SaltySamFishing]

When I fish Cape May this time of year, there’s always tons of horseshoe crabs, right now I believe they’re in peak spawn. I’ve also heard similar about Bonita! You’re right it’s all in the prep and recipes. Thanks for watching!

[@seahad4744]

@@SaltySamFishing oh they were getting frisky. reeled two in at the same time😭

[@dangareau]

I was in Cape May 2 days ago and can confirm that you can catch a horseshoe crab on a burple MagDarter. It was a full on crab orgy at low tide though.

[@seahad4744]

@@dangareau Place is infested with them cool things currently lol

[@JJRU_2026]

Looks awesome!

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks!

[@thomasdenis6240]

Yo what camera are you using great videography in your videos

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thank you! All of the footage is taken on my phone and GoPro.

[@suv27]

I love your content man, where is this, which beach in NJ ?

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks! LBI

[@MartinVSmith6334]

I saute smaller ones. Some I cut up for fish tacos. The real big ones can be smoked and they turn out well. My father used to broil them with liberal amounts of worcestershire sauce applied before broiling.

[@SaltySamFishing]

All of those sound like really good methods, thanks for sharing!

[@brandondo8636]

caught my first bluefish yesterday and the fight was amazing. how long do you think they’ll stick around LBI for?

[@SaltySamFishing]

Congrats, that’s awesome! They really are fun to catch. Hopefully the action with the gator size fish stays strong but bluefish in general will be around for a while!

[@michaelfinger1044]

Somehow, I've never heard anyone refer to bluefish as 'trashfish' until now. Not everybody likes eating them, but they're a respected game species. They're probably my personal favorite saltwater fish to catch! I especially love hitting cocktail blues on the ultralight.

[@SaltySamFishing]

They definitely are a respected game species and I agree they put up some of the most fun fights and are one of my favorites to catch!

[@Noreasta508]

The first fish was the perfect size for the smoker. Just brine overnight smoke from about 90 minutes and it makes amazing fish dip with a little lemon, cream cheese and mayo.

[@SaltySamFishing]

Unfortunately I don’t have a smoker, but someday when I do I’d love to do this, sounds delicious!

[@TheJackedSalty]

Hell yeah! That bluefish looked good 🤤 just like with any meat, how you treat it and cook it will make it “trash” or gold. Keep getting after it salty boy!!!

[@SaltySamFishing]

You’re spot on with that, it’s all about how it’s prepared. Thanks for the support!

[@cccmmm1234]

Trash fish? In South Africa we target these as a delicacy!

[@SaltySamFishing]

I’m right there with you, I think it tastes great!

[@robbieevans6536]

We used to call really small bluefish taylor blues, and they are good eating.

[@SaltySamFishing]

Interesting, I like that name! Definitely good eating!

[@ouissandy2806]

Try flour egg crumbs you will get a crispier result

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks for the tip 🤙

[@Tog_Tastic]

You might want to jump that leader up to 70-80lb or just use wire. Insane blues tearing that 50 up

[@SaltySamFishing]

Yeah I probably could have stepped it up some lbs, I definitley prefer using mono to wire!

[@MotownMark1962]

I love bluefish. Most people I know can't stand eating blues but it's simply because they've never had it prepared right.

[@SaltySamFishing]

Yeah, I agree! Just takes the right preparation.

[@nickweiss5604]

I thought you were gonna dual wield those rods when the double got hooked

[@SaltySamFishing]

Still have to unlock that skill but I don’t have enough EXP yet 😂

[@tonyferro5403]

love this

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks! 👍

[@VictorF0326]

Bluefish is a fish you'll have to bleed them well. Otherwise they'll taste very iron like and a much stronger scent as well.. Even then, I tried a piece raw and was pretty horrified how it tasted. I was really nervous how it'll taste fried at the dinner table, but found it tasted just fine.

[@SaltySamFishing]

Yeah fried bluefish is great! I’ve never tasted raw bluefish though, I could imagine it’s probably not the best.

[@jayyycee]

Good content

[@SaltySamFishing]

Much appreciated!

[@jayyycee]

@@SaltySamFishing love the camera work

[@JesseFishing1]

need a dogfish catch n cook for science 🧪

[@SaltySamFishing]

I might give that a shot!

[@elgato9445]

The gator blues are ok..but I enjoy snappers and cocktail blues more. I do not consider them trash fish.

[@SaltySamFishing]

I agree, I think the smaller blues taste better!

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

It’s funny people call them a trash fish yet many party boats here in NJ specifically fish for them.

[@SaltySamFishing]

That’s very true! Been on a bluefish charter before and it was actually my first time trying it.

[@FC-qe1wl]

Even my cats run away from blue fish....and that goes for the ferel stray cats outside too

[@SaltySamFishing]

😂

[@tc65311]

My bro once caught massive blues but we never ate them. So he just laid them outside for the feral cats and racoons, but they only took a handsized bite and nothing more.

[@Tog_Tastic]

Blues are for the real ones

[@SaltySamFishing]

That’s for sure!

[@Ronandreels]

Where do you fish in NJ I fish in island beach state park

[@SaltySamFishing]

All up and down Jersey but mainly LBI, Point Pleasant, Cape May, Sandy Hook-Manasquan!

[@Ronandreels]

Nice I fish island beach state park

[@mathtutor4147]

There he is

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@wish2fish37]

Is it the breading mix that you’re getting the flavor from?Evrythings good deep fried😂Gave a blue fish filet to someone and they baked it plain and they said it had no flavor?Like you say in video it had no fishy flavor.Try baking it with minimal spices or nothing and review it.Not a trash fish.Tons of people eat it in Jersey or use it for shark bait.

[@SaltySamFishing]

The breading mix was good but, could still taste the fishes flavor. I really love fried bluefish and wanted to eat it that way but could have included a portion of the video trying it plain. Sorry for the disappointment on that but will keep in mind for the future!

[@anthonypileggi1272]

Blue fish is good to eat anybody who doesn't like it is crazy i know that its not the best fish but it is very good

[@SaltySamFishing]

I agree! I think bluefish tastes great.

[@noodlechicken4169]

Have you tried spear fishing

[@SaltySamFishing]

Nope, I’m gonna be honest though, I don’t think I’d be all that good at it haha!

[@mathtutor4147]

Great non fishing footage

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks!

[@richardbrown794]

If you don't like BLUEFISH, that means you don't know how to cook it. Overcooked it is like tuna fish, cooked to a turn it is soft and delicious. I just salt and eat. Wrap in foil, medium heat on flat surface, turn a lot to a little underdone, let sit and cook some more off the heat, check next to spine bone, should just barely come off with fork. A little salt and eat.

[@SaltySamFishing]

I agree, it’s great when done right!

[@MsMrBigglesworth]

Actually another strike to most people is the texture of the meat. Yes, you can reduce the fishy taste with things like milk soaks. But the meat is not firm enough. Even with a hard fry, you are only making the coating crispy, not the meat. And forget about baking. Reason why a lot of people make a dip out of it instead.

[@freesoul3371]

Eat it raw. Sashimi or sushi. Make some handrolls. Soy sauce.

[@ThePazification]

Goddamn thought it was a fishing video post yo lifting splits son 🦾

[@SaltySamFishing]

3 sets of reeling in dogfish 🤷‍♂️

[@GregBradshaw-uz3ff]

Bluefish on a pellet grill or smoker is delicious

[@SaltySamFishing]

I’ve heard smoked bluefish is great, definitely want to try it when I have a smoker some day!

[@jordynloya]

Delish!

[@SaltySamFishing]

It definitley was!

[@NelsonGarcia-tg2wf]

Its not a trash fish but there are lots of trash cooks

[@SaltySamFishing]

That could be the cause of the “trash fish” title 😂

[@cyrbrexx]

What beach is this?

[@SaltySamFishing]

LBI

[@rbuenafe100]

@@SaltySamFishing Do you need a permit to park in LBI like Gateway NRA? Is it hard to find parking? Thanks!

[@SaltySamFishing]

@@rbuenafe100 I don’t believe you need any form of parking permit on the island and you are able to park on side streets that lead up to the beaches. In the summer it can be crowded and some streets may be more difficult to find parking on that others.

[@jiggajayp]

That's fat not blood.

[@SaltySamFishing]

Thanks for the info!