Welcome to the Web based
PowerPoint presentation of:
“Tips to Successful
Fluke Fishing”
by Capt. John Kolias
Reel Fun Sportfishing
Sandy Hook, NJ
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“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
What’s a Fluke? (Summer Flounder)
• The most popular inshore flatfish in the Northeast that range in size
from 1-2 lbs up to 10-15 lbs.(Doormats) Average fish caught in NJ
is around 2.5 lbs to 6 lbs
• During the winter, they live and spawn at the Continental shelf.
• Adults and juveniles migrate inshore in May to feed.
• Feed on: Spearing, Squid, Sandworms, Smelts, Strip Baits, etc.
• Fluke hug the bottom when they swim.
• They change topside coloration based upon where they are living.
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Tackle we use for Fluke fishing:
Baitcaster Rod:
6’6” Med/Hvy, fast action tip bait casting rod
Penn International 965 or Shimano Tekota 500
Level Wind Reel
Line:
30 lb test Power Pro or Suffix Braid
over Dacron backing.
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Rigs:
Standard Fluke Rig3 way swivel, 6” dropper loop for sinker,
24” Fluorocarbon 30 lb. leader snelled to a 2/0 or 4/0
Gamagatsu Shiner or Eagle Laser Sharp Kahle hook.
Sinker- 2 to 6 oz. lead bank sinker
Photo courtesy of The Fisherman Library
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Rigs:
Basic Bucktail Fluke Rig**75 lb. barrel swivel tied to end of running line (Braid).
**24” Bucktail Rig with dropper loop tied approx. 12” above end
of line.
** 75 lb. Snap Swivel tied to end of bucktail rig for attaching 2,
4, 6 oz. Spro Bucktail in Glow or Chartreuse/White.
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Baits of Choice:
• Peruvian Smelt/Squid combo
• Sand eel/Squid combo-Squid strips should be
cut in 4” to 6” long ribbons
• Bunker, Bluefish or Sea Robin strips
• Sandworms
• Mackerel Strips
• Small whole squid
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Article courtesy of Saltwater Sportsman
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
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Where to Find Fluke……Structure!
Tidal Rips – “The Rip”
Channel edges-Ambrose Channel,
Raritan Reach Channel, Sandy Hook
Channel and Chapel Hill Channel
Dredge holes
Underwater structures- Sandy Hook Reef
Fluke can also be found “on the flats”
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
About StructureFluke have the tendency to be found around underwater
structure and facing into the current on the downside of
that structure. Fluke also will be found along channel
edges, deep in the channel at low tide and along the
flats adjacent to the channel during high tide.
Fluke will also be found in deep holes along the beach or in
channels, and around man made reefs (Sandy Hook
Reef, Rattlesnake, etc)
Remember…. when you go fishing for FlukeStructure, Structure, Structure
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Drifting tips for Boaters – Page 1
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Drift around and over structure. (DO NOT ANCHOR YOUR BOAT)
Bait MUST be on the bottom at all times. Bounce that
sinker/bucktail!
Fish in free spool.
Lift rod tip and drop back to feel bottom!
Feel (Know what your weight feels like WITHOUT a fish on).
Just enough weight to hold bottom.
Drop back on 1st strike (5ft-10ft).
Engage reel, make line tight, lift rod tip and set hook.
Set hook with authority.
Reel slowly & evenly…… don’t pump rod.
Net fish from the head ONLY.
Keep your fish in a cooler w/ ice or water.
Make sure those fish are legal for your area.
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Drifting tips for Boaters - Page 2
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Using your GPS, mark both the beginning point of your drift AND
where you get your first fish.
Zoom in as tight as you can on your GPS.
Use those 2 points to repeat your drift.
Keep your drifts short and tight.
Long endless drifts without a fish are a waste of time.
Fish swim together in tight groups.
If your drift is too fast to hold bottom either change your sinker
OR get out your drift sock which ALL good fluke fishermen should
own.
If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat is not
moving, its time to power drift to get your baits moving.
(REMEMBER: NO MOVING BAITS= NO FISH)
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
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Fishing Artificials
Bucktails-Spro-Glo or white/chartreuse
tipped with a strip of squid.
1 thru 6 oz depending on conditions
Add strip baits to buck tail
Bounce buck tail off bottom in short
quick lifts
Cast & Retrieve method works too!
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
by Capt. John Kolias
Fishing the Sandy Hook Reef – Fluke & Sea Bass
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
by Capt. John Kolias
Tony Colon with his 11 lb. doormat
caught with live snapper in Ambrose.
JCAA Fluke Tournament Winner in
the Sandy Hook area.
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Some nice opening day fluke
Ambrose Channel Fluke with a
few of the crew.
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
SHBA Fluke Tournament 6.2
8.2 lb Fluke from Ambrose
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
“Doormat” Fluke
SHBA Fluke Tournament
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
by Capt. John Kolias
25’ Parker Sport Cabin - Furuno 24 mile Radar- Furuno 600L Color Fishfinder
Garmin 2010C GPS Charplotter- 2 Horizon VHF/DSC Radios
Heated cabin & toilet facilities- All Coast Guard Safety Gear
“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”
Thank you for visiting this web site.
From the staff of
Reel Fun Sportfishing…..
Tight Lines & Following Seas
Capt. John Kolias