Changing Fluke Patterns

[Billfish715]

Here are a few things that I've noticed about changing fluke patterns over the last few years. This is only my observations but some of you might have notices the same things.

This year, I've noticed that the stomach contents of fluke I've cleaned are absolutely empty. I could always count on finding some crabs or crustaceans or mussels or the skeletal remains of baitfish in many of the fluke. This year, I can honestly say that I've not found anything. I'm not sure what that means. They were not spitting anything on the deck or at the surface when they were being netted either. The river fluke are a different story. They were always well-fed and always had something in their stomachs.

Fluke used to bunch up before exiting the NY/NJ Bight. Ambrose channel used to be lined with them as they headed out and offshore. There was always a good shot at them for a week or so in late August or early September. Where are they now? The same could be said about the Reach or Sandy Hook Channels as well.

More and more fish are holding on rough bottom contours and over rocks and snags. Very few are caught on open bottom anymore. In the early fall, even into October, it was common to drift along the sandy bottom just off the Hook on south for a few miles. Those fish might still be dropping out of the river or bay in a few weeks, but we'll never know because the season is closed. The fluke fishing in the ocean is now located several miles off the beach especially out of Belmar and points south.

So, what is going on? Even now, there should have been many more fluke bunched up and ready for their migration. It seems they are all scattered or have moved even farther offshore. Are they moving out earlier? Are they following a different kind of baitfish? I'm just curious about what some of you have noticed over the last couple of years. I'm out of ideas. With just a few more days of fluke fishing for the season, I just hope I can stumble on a decent body of fish without chasing them out to the Mud Hole.

I'm with Captain Ron. I'll be bringing the clams along. I tried serious porgy fishing last year and was very satisfied with their sporty fighting ability and their sweet tasting fillets.