They usually start in late Sept and run through early November. Drifting live eels, Chucking and livelinning Bunker or trolling plugs or Bunker spoons usually accounts for the largest fish. The best time to fish in the mid summer and fall is at night. Many Party boats fish for striped bass exclusively at night and run trips from 6pm to 11pm. It is not uncommon to be able to sight cast jigs to schools of Bluefish chasing schools of baitfish.
Diving birds are a sure sign there are Bluefish in the area.
The most popular way to fish for Blues is to anchor your boat chum with ground bunker to attract the fish while dropping back cut bunker. Make sure to use a heavy mono or wire leader since these fish a sharp teeth that will make short order of 10 - 15 lb mono. Night time is great for Bluefish as well . They can usually be found along or in deep channels. Drifting sand worms usually works best.