september fluking

[bender]

With the season closing Saturday, I'm curious to hear opinions about the season reaching this late into September. Fluke fishing into the fall sounds great, and looks great on paper at the beginning of the year, but these last 2 weeks have been largely lost due to weather (as is typical) with the majority of the fish a long way from the dock. I am of the opinion that the season should start earlier in May like it used to while the fish are stacked in the river systems right at the end of the dock. I realize the party boat fleet would have a larger void between fluking and the re-opening of the seabass fishery (whole other topic) but how many fares line up to fish for fluke in the howling northeast wind and large seas typical of fall fishing? Frustrated to say the least. Some of my greatest memories and catches were made fluking in the first days of May, and I feel cheated for the ones that have gone unmade in recent years. Curious to hear the opinions of others.

[tautog]

Up until the storm ocean fluking was good. As for early May, not all that many biting this year with the cold weather plus you can always catch and release.

[Capt Joe]

May Fluke fishing sucks most years water is too cold. Like June 1 - October 15th.
Good luck getting that. I am sure we will get screwed again especially since we seem to be "conjoined" with N.Y.
That would be the pb opinion for Manasquan Inlet.
JMHO!

[1captainron]

Originally Posted by Capt Joe

May Fluke fishing sucks most years water is too cold. Like June 1 - October 15th.
Good luck getting that. I am sure we will get screwed again especially since we seem to be "conjoined" with N.Y.
That would be the pb opinion for Manasquan Inlet.
JMHO!

Agree Capt. Joe.....but it's not about us anymore!! Next season will be a joke, raise the flag!

[Bill T]

In the good old days, we always caught fluke thru Sept & into Oct. May fishing in the ocean was ,& still is, not as good. I guess i'm showing my age, but weather notwithstanding, give me back those goodold days

[Offshoreafflicted]

I always caught my biggest Fluke of the season dragging big live baits in October. My biggest was on a live Mullet at Garden State North Reef a few days before Halloween.

I still have the TD's for where I caught it.

[bigal427]

fall fluking is almost always better then May. I don't get where you say the last two week lost to weather last week was beautiful but this week sucks

[bulletbob]

We used to catch fluke well into November on offshore lumps off of Belmar... BIG fluke.... Seems like a lifetime ago, but really was only back in the 80's... bob

[Capt Sal]

Early May is not that good in my experience. The water is too cold.We need a season for a popular species to be open in our part of the world during our prime months.Our season is mid April-early Dec. for most. Sometimes less than that. Figure out how many days are lost to mother nature and closed seasons from noaa and if you are a for hire vessel you are up against it.

[bender]

wasn't trying to ruffle feathers, just seeking opinions. It is well noted that mine is not shared. However, if you think great catches of fluke can't be made in 50-55 degree water, you are fooling yourselves. Bring on the tog. I'm bored.