Fewer Fluke Reports?

[Billfish715]

Is it just me, or does anyone else notice the decline in the number of fluke reports on this board? It has me wondering and perhaps assuring me of my most frightening realities. The fluke have disappeared! It's a nightmare that has been reoccurring more often and from the decline in the reports, I'd say that the nightmare is indeed becoming a reality.

If the fluking was that good, we would hear about it. Look at Sandy Hook Channel, or the Reach or Ambrose or anywhere for the once omnipresent fleet of boats. Fluke were spread across a very wide area and it didn't really matter much where you went. There were always good numbers of fluke to catch even if they were 15-16 inches. Everyone had their spots and everyone caught fluke at all of them, sometimes in good numbers and sometimes not. But, you could go to several spots and still catch them. Now, boats are going from spot A to spot B because the first spot didn't produce. Then from spot B to spot C for the same reason and so on.

As Captain John mentioned, there are pockets of fluke here and there and if you are lucky to find a patch, and one of the only boats there, you'll bring home a few fillets. I tag a lot of fluke each year and usually get returns from last year's tagging during the current season. So far, I haven't received even one.

The questions remain. If fishermen were catching fluke in any numbers, we would hear about it. Except for the party boats which post reports, there are few private captains who are saying much. Even if you read the party boat reports, and see the pictures, there is a lot to be missed in between the lines. There are ways to explain how even bad days of fishing can be made to seem like they were okay. The captains have been very accurate in their reports and no one will ever say how much the fishing stinks and rightly so. I wonder how the fishing logs that are charted by each captain compares to the same time last year or over the last few years. (You can't count the Covid year.) How do the numbers compare? I'm guessing this year is the lowest count in many previous seasons.

If fishermen are catching, we would be hearing about it. Let's face it. No one writes reports about how many fluke they didn't catch. Those that catch are proud enough to say so. Those that don't, get pretty tight-lipped. With the lack of reports, I'd say that there are a lot of tight-lipped fishermen out there. Just saying!

[Capt John]

Spot on Billie....spot on.:mad:

[Brewlugger]

Definitely a lack of Doormat Fluke being reported this summer.

[Skolmann]

I’ve only done one party boat fluke trip-a magic hour trip on the Misty Morn and got 2 keepers.

Did one ocean fluke trip on my boat, 2 keepers

Did 2 upper bay fluke trips on my boat, 2 slots

Made 1 Navesink River fluke trip, 1 keeper & 1 slot

Been doing mainly land based fluking both from the beach & back bay/river spots 20+ keepers & 4 or 5 slots

Did get a 21” fluke while jigging sea bass.

Land based spots getting better (both in quantity & quality the past few weeks).

[FishingSinceIWasThree]

My group of three did very well with constant action and 6 keepers in a few hours near Sandy Hook last Sunday. Best fluke fishing I've had in 5 years or so.

[FishingSinceIWasThree]

My group of three did very well with constant action and 6 keepers in a few hours near Sandy Hook last Sunday. Best fluke fishing I've had in 5 years or so.

One of the fluke was 24 inches....at least a mini doormat in my world

[Billfish715]

My group of three did very well with constant action and 6 keepers in a few hours near Sandy Hook last Sunday. Best fluke fishing I've had in 5 years or so.

One of the fluke was 24 inches....at least a mini doormat in my world

That’s great but………..have you done it twice or three times? One boat, one day, one good trip over one patch of fish does not make a season. Let us know ( good or bad) how you do the next time out. How many fluke did you release? By today’s standards 6 keepers is a great day. Historically, not so much.

[Gerry Zagorski]

The fishery is not what it used to be for sure but I don't think it's doom and gloom. Years ago we had Fluke in the Sandy Hook and Raritan bays all through the summer and it's seems the bay fishery has not been the same since Sandy.

I also think some of it is people are fishing the same methods and the same places and expecting the same results they used to get. It's changed and if you want to catch, you're fishing the sticky stuff and people know where that stuff is and those areas tend to get fished out. You also see many of the boats fishing the sticky stuff are moving around a lot picking fish here and there and have to move to different spots to put a catch together...

Fuel at $5.00 a gallon is also playing into it on the private boat side. Now you think twice about making a longer run to the sticky stuff.

[Togfather2530]

Hurricane Sandy and going to the sticky stuff LOL. Everyone has their answers of how you have to catch fish now. The truth of it is fluke fishing sucks compared to the way it was 10 to 15 years ago. No sense in sugarcoating anything. I know you know the answer to your own question and just need reassuring so I’m giving you that reassurance.

[frugalfisherman]

It's Putin's fault.

[Tombro]

Hurricane Sandy and going to the sticky stuff LOL. Everyone has their answers of how you have to catch fish now. The truth of it is fluke fishing sucks compared to the way it was 10 to 15 years ago. No sense in sugarcoating anything. I know you know the answer to your own question and just need reassuring so I’m giving you that reassurance.

This!!!

[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.

[Detour66]

Many spots that I use to fish in the bay and the ocean with success are loaded with dogfish. I don't even try there anymore cause I know what's going to happen. You can't get to the bottom for more than a minute and you have one on. This has to be hurting the Fluke fishing to a certain degree. The fluke don't have a chance getting to your bait!

[Duffman]

Fuel prices has to be a part of it. I can’t remember my marina being this empty. A ghost town during the week and very light crowd on the weekend. This is for the non fishing people and well. Even the day cruisers I’d see every week arent heading out.

Wind as well this year. Seems like every time I can head out it’s blowing 20+. Yesterday afternoon was brutal!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Fuel prices has to be a part of it. I can’t remember my marina being this empty. A ghost town during the week and very light crowd on the weekend. This is for the non fishing people and well. Even the day cruisers I’d see every week arent heading out.

Wind as well this year. Seems like every time I can head out it’s blowing 20+. Yesterday afternoon was brutal!!

Agreed and the brutal hot temps are keeping people in their homes as well..

[Gerry Zagorski]

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.

[NoLimit]

Fewer reports because way fewer boats. $6 gas will do that. There used to be hundreds of boats just on Flynn’s and Romer and now there are a dozen.

Dipping nets is the best fish finder and that ain’t happening with gas prices keeping most boats off the water

[AndyS]

Fewer reports with fewer fish being caught, people tend to become tight lipped. Would you report if you were catching a bunch of weakfish, or winter flounder.

[Angler Paul]

The gas prices suck and the regs suck. A lot of people I know are not bothering to go far or not going at all when they can only bring home one fluke over 18"

[go_fish]

I’ve only done one party boat fluke trip-a magic hour trip on the Misty Morn and got 2 keepers.

Did one ocean fluke trip on my boat, 2 keepers

Did 2 upper bay fluke trips on my boat, 2 slots

Made 1 Navesink River fluke trip, 1 keeper & 1 slot

Been doing mainly land based fluking both from the beach & back bay/river spots 20+ keepers & 4 or 5 slots

Did get a 21” fluke while jigging sea bass.

Land based spots getting better (both in quantity & quality the past few weeks).


Looking to fish for fluke from shore near or at Sandy Hook, but not sure where to go. Not looking to spot burn but any suggestions appreciated.

[reason162]

Looking to fish for fluke from shore near or at Sandy Hook, but not sure where to go. Not looking to spot burn but any suggestions appreciated.

They are everywhere right now. Park your car, walk to the beach - choose a direction and cover water.

Hi/lo rigs from shore = shorts. Light, 1/4 - 3/8oz jighead + 5" or 6" Gulp = a better shot at a keeper. Think freshwater bass tackle...8lb braid, 12lb fluoro leader, loop knot to a jighead. Keep it gliding off the bottom, finish every retrieve to the wash, if you're not getting bit within 5-10 min move on.

[PortlyRedhead]

The gas prices suck and the regs suck. A lot of people I know are not bothering to go far or not going at all when they can only bring home one fluke over 18"

I’m an optimist at heart, but Paul’s right. Empty coolers and empty gas tanks don’t generate a lot of summertime fishing enthusiasm.