Fluke in the Surf

[Bigadam119]

I am going to be in Sea Bright this weekend and would like to try Fluking in the surf. I fluke fish from a boat every weekend but have never tried it from the surf.
Are you allowed to fish from the beach in Sea Bright or will I have to go up to the hook? I was thinking of using the same set up I use on the boat with a bucktail and a teaser tied about a foot above it, will this work? Also what is the target area of the surf, in the wash out past the bar? Any info will be appricatied and I will report back on my trip on Monday.

[Gerry Zagorski]

You'll just need to stay away from the areas where there are life guards and people swimming... Most of Sea Bright is private beaches with no life guards and fishing is permitted so you should not have any issues finding a place to fish.

Bucktails work well...You might also bring a light pole with a small cast master on it since there are usually a lot of snappers in the surf and you could use them as bait.

And yes I think you will have better luck targeting fish out past the bar.

[dfish28]

Can't go wrong if you can make it out on a jetty- if you can I recommend cleats, used to do that all the time - typically I would use a Hopkins or cast master use that to catch a bird,snapper,or some kind of bait,even a bergall or pilot fish - strip the larger fish or use smaller ones whole : cast out and work back in till you catch- good luck!

[KevinH]

I've always done well fishing live Killies right in the wash next to a jetty.

[Bigadam119]

Thanks for all the advice. I will let you know how it goes!

[Bigadam119]

Well, with all your advice in hand I headed out to the beach Saturday afternoon. There was a stuff breeze from the NE and that water was chocolate brown. No luck for me as I tried bouncing bucktails up and down the beach for a few hours. Tried to catch a snapper and get some fresh bait, but that wasn't working for me either. This water clarity on the beach was awful. I couldn't see my feet in 6 inches of water. Catching even a short fluke in the surf seems like it would be so challenging and rewarding. I tip my hat to all the surf guys that post on the board. Thanks again for all the tips that you share with me, I was definitely filled with hope when I walked out in the beach. That's what makes this board so great!

[howardrf]

Same here. Surf fished for fluke seaside park. loads of seaweed. fish must have smiles seeing weed covered bucktail in the surf going by. Anyway 2 days of nothing. Prty boat bottom fishing tomorrow!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Bigadam119

Well, with all your advice in hand I headed out to the beach Saturday afternoon. There was a stuff breeze from the NE and that water was chocolate brown. No luck for me as I tried bouncing bucktails up and down the beach for a few hours. Tried to catch a snapper and get some fresh bait, but that wasn't working for me either. This water clarity on the beach was awful. I couldn't see my feet in 6 inches of water. Catching even a short fluke in the surf seems like it would be so challenging and rewarding. I tip my hat to all the surf guys that post on the board. Thanks again for all the tips that you share with me, I was definitely filled with hope when I walked out in the beach. That's what makes this board so great!

NE winds are tough in the surf unless you are fishing for Stripers. They love the snot and clams would be your bait of choice... The rough surf usually washes or breaks clams up and that is why they are so effective.

[Take a kid fishing]

Just fish along the jetties. Last weekend I cleaned out two jetties on LBI in one night. Mostly smaller fish but two keepers that night all on white gulp. Fish a small buck tail and keep the bait in the wash as long as possible. Tight Lines.