Bluefish are aggressive, fast-swimming ocean fish known for their sharp teeth and fierce hunting behavior. They travel in large groups called schools, attacking smaller fish with such energy that fishermen can sometimes spot the commotion from shore: seabirds diving, water churning, and smaller fish leaping desperately to escape.

These fish get their name from the blue-green color along their backs, though their sides are silvery. Bluefish can grow to over three feet long and weigh more than 20 pounds. They live in temperate ocean waters around the world and migrate along coastlines, following schools of prey fish.

Sport fishermen prize bluefish because they fight hard when hooked, making them exciting to catch. Their flesh is oily and flavorful, though it spoils quickly and needs to be eaten fresh. Commercial fishermen also catch them to sell at fish markets.

Bluefish have a reputation for being relentless predators. They'll keep attacking and biting even after they've eaten their fill, sometimes biting prey and leaving it. This behavior has earned them colorful nicknames like “choppers” and “snappers.” When a school of bluefish is feeding, the water can look like it's boiling from all the activity.