Fewer Fluke Reports?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

Gerry, Are you noticing a decline in the fluke reports on this site? Except for two sponsor PB’s in the Atlantic Highlands area that make regular postings with results, I don’t see many/any other PB’s posting catches. Are they doing it on Facebook or other social media or is the fishing just that bad resulting in crickets on this board?

Finally, When was the last posting of a doormat being caught? Dakota and others have been warning of the numbers of large and extra large fluke that are being boxed by the commercials at the expense of the smaller culls because the bigger fish bring a higher price per pound at the market. The smaller fluke that are culled become crab food while the much bigger females are put on ice. In both cases, once a fluke has been hauled in a set for a mile or more and squashed by other fluke and bycatch, when it hits the deck, it’s pretty much dead. Those that will bring the higher $$$$$’s are also dead. It’s a lose/lose situation. If you are looking for doormats, look in the ice-filled totes at your local fish co-op.

We have a FB group page others are posting on but overall I'd say posts on Fluke fishing in general here and on social sites are down as is participation for the reasons mentioned above by me and others.

As far as the commercial issue, I think the biggest issue on that side is not size but them being allowed to fish during the spawn. These fish should be left alone during that time.