Light tackle bluefish fishing is one of New England’s most underappreciated fisheries—these aggressive predators provide incredible topwater action that rivals any gamefish when you downsize your gear.
This past Thursday the alarm pierced the pre-dawn silence at 5:00 AM sharp. While the rest of the world was still groggy, my dad and I were already mentally preparing for what we hoped would be an epic morning on the water. The night before, we’d spent an hour gearing up, kayaks loaded, rods rigged, and everything ready for a quick launch. By 5:45, we were rolling through the quiet streets toward North Falmouth.
Looking For a Sign of Life
Megansett Harbor greeted us with that perfect early morning stillness that every angler knows and loves. The water was calm, reflecting the soft colors of the approaching sunrise. By 6:30, we had our Old Town kayaks in the water and were pedaling out into the bay, the familiar rhythm of the PDL drives cutting through the flat morning surface.
The sun glowed bright orange and a mist came off the water in the August chill
The signs were promising from the start. Birds spied overhead looking for bait, and I could see small baitfish dimpling the surface—nature’s own fish finder hard at work. I tied on a 4" Bottle Neck popper from Hog Island Lures, and began working the waters where bait and birds were visible.
As I pedaled my Old Town Bigwater PDL out towards Buzzard’s Bay, something caught my eye beneath the circling birds. The water looked different somehow—more alive. Then I heard it: that unmistakable sound every topwater angler lives for—the splash of fish breaking the surface.
Gear and Tackle
Rod: 7’ 8” Medium Heavy Banshee Spinning rod from Bull Bay Tackle
Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 4000D
Line: Cortland Masterbraid 20lb
Lures: 4” Hog Island Lures popper, 5 1/8” Daiwa SP Minnow
This setup is lightweight, durable, and casts a mile. The length on my Bull Bay rod also allows me to play fish comfortably around the bow of my kayak to land them on my dominant hand side. I love the extra fast tip on this rod because of how it is nice and light at the tip, but once the fish hits the backbone of the rod is stopped dead in it's tracks. My Daiwa reel is light and holds plenty of line, it also features an aluminum body which allows for solid durability and performance.
The First School
I cast well over the school so as not to spook any fish, and began to work my popper back toward the action. And WHAM! The fish hammered my lure and exploded the surface of the water in a spectacular display of raw power. It immediately began to turn and dig down deep, shaking its head violently as it fought to make its escape, the rod bending under the strain of a fish determined to get free.
The fight was everything you’d expect from a bluefish: pure aggression and power. As I worked the fish closer to my kayak, I prepared to land what I assumed was a nice single blue. But when I peered into the water, I couldn’t believe what I saw—two bluefish had inhaled my popper, with a third trailing close behind like it was waiting for its turn!
Unfortunately, as often happens in fishing, the excitement was short-lived. One of the doubles shook free, taking the third fish with it as they departed. Still, I managed to land a scrappy 2-pound cocktail bluefish—perfect eating size and full of fight. After a quick photo and careful release, I sent the fish on its way, swimming strong back to rejoin its school.
While it was on the small side, the bluefish hit hard and was a scrappy fighter on light gear
Continued Action
The school was still active, so I immediately cast back into the fray. Sure enough, another bluefish crushed the popper on the very next cast. This one fought just as hard as the first, providing that classic bluefish experience—head shakes and pure determination. After another successful release, we had a few more opportunities as the school lingered in the area, with both my dad and I managing additional hookups.
School Number Two
When the first school finally moved on, we made the tactical decision to pedal toward the opposite side of the harbor. But we barely made it 100 yards before another commotion erupted about 75 yards from our position. These fish looked different—bigger, with the telltale surface disturbance of 22-25 inch class bluefish.
I switched to an SP Minnow for the larger fish and the single hooks I have rigged on it, but after one solid hit that ended in disappointment when the fish spit the lure, I went back to what was working: the trusty popper. For the next 45 minutes, we were treated to a topwater show, with occasional explosive strikes that kept our adrenaline pumping even as the workday loomed closer.
Mornings Like These
The sun rose higher in the sky as the end of the trip grew closer, a productive trip and a great morning on the water with my dad
As the sun climbed higher and reality began to intrude on our fishing paradise, the blowups became less frequent. Knowing that responsibilities awaited us on shore, we made the call to head back. The paddle to the launch was accompanied by one of those spectacular sunrises that make early mornings worth it—the kind of light that paints the water gold and reminds you why you started fishing in the first place.
Sometimes the best fishing trips aren’t about the biggest fish or the most fish—they’re about those perfect moments when everything comes together. Early mornings, active bait, willing fish, and good company. It’s mornings like these that remind you why we fish in the first place, to enjoy a beautiful morning with family, not catching giants.
Tight Lines,
Cooper Mark
Couldn’t agree more with the sentiment.
It reminds me of one of my favorite things to do in the fall is chase big blue fish in the kayak off Eastham. I’m counting the days!
Great story thank you!
A well written and thoughtful story. I miss the days when people would take the time to tell the story rather today’s “I went 6 for 9 on med fish” type of reports. I really felt like I was there enjoying that sunrise with you. Thanks!
Mike
P.S. And the pictures were great and enhanced the story dramatically.
Thanks so much! I feel that people lose sight of the fact that you don’t need to be catching 45” fish to be having fun. While big fish are fun, just seeing medium sized bluefish or stripers just under slot are so fun to catch. They’re scrappy, aggressive and hit top water. I do target big fish, but bending the rod especially light tackle is some of the most fun you can have on the water.