Weekend Surf Fishing

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by NJ219bands

Caught, tagged and released a fluke and striped bass in the inlet with 3 casts of an Ava on a sunny afternoon yesterday and everybody stayed away from me. I thought tagging fluke near the tail was the right tag placement.

By the time that fluke gets to the breeding grounds offshore, all of the spawning will be over. Or, maybe it will see the other fluke heading back inshore after the spawn and will join them on their return. As for the tag, I was instructed to put the tag in a spot that would not inhibit the fish from swimming easily. If the placement doesn't affect the way the fish swims when it is released, just keep tagging the same way.

[NJ219bands]

When I tagged another fluke today I put the tag in further up from the tail but the tag ripped out. I retagged it closer to the tail. Caught, tagged and released a fluke and striped bass each of the past two days. While tagging a striper today, another fisherman stopped and started fishing nearby. Intruders are losers.

[Billfish715]

I can see where you placed your first tag. The finlets along the sides of the fluke will not hold a tag. You have to insert the needle into the meat just inside of the finlet. I've never had any pull out. If you are comfortable placing your tags where you do, keep on with the same technique. Have you tried the snap together tags? I've been using them for awhile and have found them to be much easier to use than the ones that have to be tied.

[AndyS]

Where is the information on tagging fluke, and why are you do it. If fluke season is closed aren't you technically "in possession" I f you don't know where to tag fluke maybe you shouldn't be tagging anything ? If I were tagging striped bass I would use a landing net, not rocks.