Blue Runner

Oceans & Range: Atlantic Ocean — from Nova Scotia south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean to Brazil. Also found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. A nearshore and offshore schooling species found from the surf zone to 300+ feet over reefs and open water. Extremely abundant throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Preferred Water Temperature: 66°F–82°F. Found in large schools near the surface and mid-water over reefs, wrecks, and open sandy bottom. Moves inshore in winter in the Gulf of Mexico.

Size & Weight: Typically 0.5–2 lbs and 10–14 inches. Maximum approximately 5 lbs. One of the premier live bait species for large pelagics — their value as bait often exceeds their value as table fare. An excellent bait for Greater Amberjack, Cobia, and Kingfish.

Best Lures: Small jigs and spoons catch large numbers quickly when schools are located. Small Sabiki rigs produce fast catches for use as live bait. Small poppers produce surface strikes from feeding schools.

Best Baits: Small pieces of shrimp or squid are effective. Sabiki rigs with small hooks catch fish quickly for live bait purposes. Blue Runners themselves are outstanding live bait for Greater Amberjack, Cobia, and King Mackerel.

Atlantic Ocean — from Nova Scotia south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean to Brazil. Also found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. A nearshore and offshore schooling species found from the surf zone to 300+ feet over reefs and open water. Extremely abundant throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

66°F–82°F. Found in large schools near the surface and mid-water over reefs, wrecks, and open sandy bottom. Moves inshore in winter in the Gulf of Mexico.

Best Lures: Small jigs and spoons catch large numbers quickly when schools are located. Small Sabiki rigs produce fast catches for use as live bait. Small poppers produce surface strikes from feeding schools. Best Baits: Small pieces of shrimp or squid are effective. Sabiki rigs with small hooks catch fish quickly for live bait purposes. Blue Runners themselves are outstanding live bait for Greater Amberjack, Cobia, and King Mackerel.

Typically 0.5–2 lbs and 10–14 inches. Maximum approximately 5 lbs. One of the premier live bait species for large pelagics — their value as bait often exceeds their value as table fare. An excellent bait for Greater Amberjack, Cobia, and Kingfish.