What's Going On With The Fluke?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Only been out a handful of times compared to last year and it's been a lot slower. As mentioned above I think all the run off in the Raritan and Sandy Hook bays has played a part and the honking South winds on the ocean side.

We need a break from this weather

[jmurr711]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Only been out a handful of times compared to last year and it's been a lot slower. As mentioned above I think all the run off in the Raritan and Sandy Hook bays has played a part and the honking South winds on the ocean side.

We need a break from this weather

what he said!

[Jim C]

Hello to all,

Fishing been off this year for me from last year, I have fished over 25 days for fluke from the opening day and we can't seem to get a bite going for us who bucktail most days. Some of this in the early part of the season is understandable with the colder water early in season. I have 2 good days with 5 fish, one with 4 fish two days with 2 or 3 fish, and lot one or none

I kept a log on my fluke fishing from last year and fishing is off a lot this season for fluke for me. I fish only on party boats and have done great over the years and know its not the boats or me its just that fish is off this season. Why?

I think a big part is this weather with all the rain and south and southeast wind and cold water that just turns the bigger fluke fish off from feeding. The other is Sandy, I think a lot of the bottom has changed and this may have had some effect on the fluke. What we need is a west or north winds and no more rain

Good luck to all Jim C

[bunker dunker]

Wishing And Fishing!!!!!! South Wind,11 Inches Of Rain In June,ocean Still Recovering From Sandy.there Are Many Reasons But The Truth Of The Matter Is It Just Fishing.

[GDubya07]

Between the south wind - rain - and water tempurature it hasnt been like the past 2 years . No limits yet but only fished from a party boat for fluke - 2 skunks - with only shorts and jmurr eats - the uglier the better and 2 decsent trips . Only seen extreme sharpies catching limits/fish on bucktails and boat bait is out fishing bucktails in general . I am a hack and googan

As far as bait - here is my theroy - Fins-s is correct - no regular little guys - rain fish - killies - or peanuts - ( I have seen them in full bellies of ling-and sea bass off-shore though ) and the flukies are spitting up teenie weenie crabbies in-shore/ within 3 miles approx.- RRRRR.

My theroy and just IMHO - we have a different body of little guys which I am going to try and match tomorrow - still a couple of days left for the summer of "George" . More little sea bass, blackfish , Spot , Kingfish, minnie flukies and sundials around , Why - no bluefish to devour everything in-site . I have noticed red/white , green/white , pink/white teasers and darker colors are working better . Also the pink, chartruese, nuclear anything , white and glow gulp working better as of now.

Boat bait of spearing and squid ( which you should bring if you can ) on a rental rod with just 1 hook and 3 ft leader is doing well . Hey guys its fishing and I will not give up just yet .

Good Luck - Be well - Be safe out there this crazy time of bumper boats out there - RRRRRRRRRR - hook em and cook em

GDubs-

[Skolmann]

Have done 2 pure fluke trips aboard party boats;

Trip #1: 3/4 day trip 0 keepers & 6 shorts

Trip #2: Magic hour trip 1 keeper and 4 shorts

Did 1 trip on a private boat 3 keepers & 7 shorts

Also fluke fished some on a bluefish trip since bluefishing was horrible; 1 keeper and 2 shorts.

Also caught 6 short fluke fishing the wall at Manasquan Inlet.

So overall I'd have to say the season is off to a poor start for me. I agree with what's already been said re; south wind, fresh water run-off etc. Two observations I have made are #1-I haven't caught anything (let alone have a bite) on GULP shrimp or Ghost Shrimp and at least for me they were almost automatic the first 2 months of last season. #2-All but 1 of my keepers (1 of my keepers came on a white bucktail with a salmon belly strip) came on a white Spro tipped with a 4" pink GULP swimming minnow. In years past the chartreuse was the good to color, with pink a far second choice

[frugalfisherman]

3,3,1,5 and 4 keepers on 5 trips on the Angler in June but all 18-20 inches. Hit or miss out of Manasquan but bigger fish if you fish hard. The south wind is cooling the water down big time. Hammered them off Long Branch one day then dead the next. When the water warms again look out!

[jmurr711]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

3,3,1,5 and 4 keepers on 5 trips on the Angler in June but all 18-20 inches. Hit or miss out of Manasquan but bigger fish if you fish hard. The south wind is cooling the water down big time. Hammered them off Long Branch one day then dead the next. When the water warms again look out!

exactly! those fish gonna be hungry!

[torchee]

Strange in the bay no fluke

but many croakers??

[Reelron]

Checked log book for last 3 years, start of season to 6/30

2011 6 trips 24 keepers

2012 9 trips 26 Keepers

2013 3 trips 7 keepers.

I hope we get the full 11 days added on to the end of the season!