Can Fluke Fill The Bill

[Billfish715]

After arguably the best sea bass season ever, it’s on to the fluke..........Or is it? Let’s hope so, for everyone who is connected to that fishery and what it provides for them. Very few PB’s have targeted fluke because there was so much action and satisfaction with the sea bass. I just have to figure that if the flatties were around in any numbers, more boats would have been on them. Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay would have been packed, but not this year.

Back to a previous topic I raised a few weeks back, we were “given” a limited number of days to fish for fluke before the season closes. My feeling is that our season has been cut short because the numbers of fluke that are usually around in the early season just haven’t shown themselves and very few fishermen have been after them. It’s an issue because these days are counted in our season and we have little to show for it. It might be a different situation in South Jersey, but our season includes the entire state.

Let’s hope July and August fill the bill and the fluke show up. Thank goodness for the biscuits. They helped put cu$tomer$ at the rails. If the fluke show up in numbers, they will be a welcomed resource to help keep the boats full and the bait and tackle stores thriving during what has become an even shorter fluke season.

The 4th of July will give us a better picture about how close we are to reaching our seasonal allocation and what our season and allocation will be for next year. Wanna bet that the season and limits don’t change even though we haven’t even dented the fluke numbers and the season has been open for a month?

[Skolmann]

There have been plenty of fluke (including keepers) in the rivers, inlets and back bays of Central NJ.

I started catching fluke as by-catch in early May while using soft plastics for striped bass. Had them up to 24”s. Been fishing 5-6 spots on a regular basis (all from shore I might add) and they all continue to produce.

I haven’t fished Raritan Bay yet (first trip planned for later today) but I know for a fact that there fluke are there. Some days are better than others and when conditions are right they catch & when not, it’s a grind.

Can not comment on ocean fluking as it has been my experience that that fishery doesn’t really get going until after July 4.

[Billfish715]

I guess, in a way, I’m looking at things from a business point of view. Captains that would ordinarily fish for fluke in June opted for a sure thing with sea bass. I trust their judgement in why they did not fish closer to home for fluke. My best guess is that they figured there were not enough fluke around to attract the numbers of customers as when they targeted sea bass.

There are always early bird fluke that establish themselves in the warmer waters in the rivers and bays where bait is abundant. The rivers get pretty crowded and can’t accommodate a fleet of boats, not to mention, party boats. The ocean, bays and channels are where most boats have to go. So, while there are fluke in the rivers and inlets, fishing for them is limited to small boats and limited numbers.

The fluke come inshore in waves. July should push more of them inshore. The observation I made is that the majority of fishermen were not fishing for fluke and yet, all of those day that were not used for fluke fishing could have been put toward a later opening day for fluke and either a bigger bag limit or extended season.

Judging from the obviously low numbers of fluke taken so far this season, I’m beginning to believe that the fluke population is indeed in trouble. Of course, if you check the Montauk reports, you’ll have every right to question my theory. Why there, and not here?

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

I guess, in a way, I’m looking at things from a business point of view. Captains that would ordinarily fish for fluke in June opted for a sure thing with sea bass. I trust their judgement in why they did not fish closer to home for fluke. My best guess is that they figured there were not enough fluke around to attract the numbers of customers as when they targeted sea bass.

There are always early bird fluke that establish themselves in the warmer waters in the rivers and bays where bait is abundant. The rivers get pretty crowded and can’t accommodate a fleet of boats, not to mention, party boats. The ocean, bays and channels are where most boats have to go. So, while there are fluke in the rivers and inlets, fishing for them is limited to small boats and limited numbers.

The fluke come inshore in waves. July should push more of them inshore. The observation I made is that the majority of fishermen were not fishing for fluke and yet, all of those day that were not used for fluke fishing could have been put toward a later opening day for fluke and either a bigger bag limit or extended season.

Judging from the obviously low numbers of fluke taken so far this season, I’m beginning to believe that the fluke population is indeed in trouble. Of course, if you check the Montauk reports, you’ll have every right to question my theory. Why there, and not here?

I have said for years a bigger bag limit when fish are here is more important than longer seasons .
Some here think more days available makes for a better season for the for hire boats .
What you saw this spring is proof having days available that captains won’t take guys for a boat ride were just that lost days .

Shorter season higher bag limit would get more people on those boats when the fish are here .

Giving up actual poundage quota for possible extra days is just that a give back , lost to never get back .

That being said everything can’t be based on for hire boats .
Lots of other recreational fisherman both boat fisherman and shore bound are catching lots of fish now and having a ton of fun doing so .
Skinny water let’s all the small boat owners have their shot at fun too .

.

[Detour66]

I think the Fluke fishing will be good since only a few have been targeting them and fishing for Sea Bass/Ling or Stripers. We will see! Tight Lines!

[AndyS]

Nice weather and calm seas resulted in a high level of recreational fishing activity for the black sea bass season opening weekend. CPOs Meyer, Capri and Szelc conducted extended vessel patrols in Barnegat Light Inlet and Absecon Inlet for vessels returning from the ocean. CPOs Meyer and Capri conducted an inspection of an inbound charter fishing vessel and located thirty-five black sea bass over the five-man, fifty fish, limit. In total, the two patrols resulted in thirteen summonses ranging from undersized/over the limit black sea bass to closed season tautog. Additionally, CPOs Meyer and Szelc inspected a charter vessel returning from a black sea bass trip which revealed the vessel did not possess the required federal party/charter black sea permit. The case was referred to NMFS for further enforcement action. - from the May 2021 Bureau of Law Enforcement report to the Fish and Game Council.