The Fluke Coast Playbook

For anglers from Cape Cod to the Chesapeake, fluke fishing isn’t just a hobby or a way to fill the cooler—it’s a summer-long obsession. Aside from striped bass, few inshore species offer such a wide range of opportunities as the summer flounder. On any given day from June through September, keeper fluke can be found anywhere from muddy back-bay channels and shallow oceanfront sandbars to mid-range reefs, wrecks, and deep-water shoals. To explore this incredibly diverse fishery, we asked eight flatfish fanatics from Massachusetts to Virginia to share their top tactics from across the Fluke Coast.

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From the Kayak

Angler: Peter Ranieri
Home Waters: North Shore Long Island
Peak Season: Late May, Early June

In western Long Island Sound on the New York side, Ranieri favors late May and early June as the best time to find both numbers and size of fluke.

At that time of year, he targets boulder fields in 10 to 20 feet of water, where precise drifts are essential. “When fluke are staging in the boulder fields, they lie on the tops of boulders waiting to ambush bait. If you’re not drifting exactly over a boulder, your chances of passing over a fluke decrease significantly, and even more so in murky water, where 10 feet can make the difference between a fluke seeing or not seeing your presentation.”

Ranieri says sand eels drive the fluke fishing in Long Island Sound. (Photo courtesy Peter Ranieri)

Sand ledges and shoals in 10 to 40 feet can also be productive in the western Sound at that time. In those areas, Ranieri says, the fluke school up, relating to bait schools, which means the best fishing may be confined to tight areas. Less-experienced anglers tend to drift too long in these situations, spending too much time in less productive areas. After locating fluke and bait over a sandy shoal, Ranieri advises resetting your drift as soon as you stop getting bites. “Be super specific with drifts and use relief shading to find those particular specific spots. If I miss the drift I wanted, I try again to get it exactly right. I move around if I’m not getting bites, and I’m always looking for bait.”

Do not forget the net when kayak flukin’. *(Photo by Peter Ranieri)*

Ranieri keeps the presentation simple, using a 3/8-ounce jighead with a 4-inch Berkley Gulp Grub or 5-inch Jerk Shad, unless porgies and other “interference fish” are nipping tails at a fast rate. When the bait-stealers are thick, Ranieri switches to a bucktail jig with a strip of cut fish. All the standard fluke favorites (white, pink, chartreuse) catch in Ranieri’s home waters, but “when the water starts losing clarity, ‘New Penny’ works great.”

Ranieri predominantly uses a 3/8-ounce jighead with a 4- to 5-inch Gulp Grub or Jerk Shad, and always puts his keepers on a stringer before removing the hook.

To best present the jigs, he uses light gear, a 2000-size spinning reel spooled with 8-pound-test braided line on a customized Shimano Teramar that he’s cut down to be a bit stiffer without sacrificing sensitivity. For a leader, Ranieri attaches a length of 15-pound-test monofilament to which he attaches the jig with a nonslip mono loop.

The presence of bait is make or break for Ranieri’s early fluke fishing, with sand eels being the baitfish that fuel the best fluke fishing.

Ranieri’s Go-To Gear for Kayak Fluke

Wrecks and Reefs

Angler: Captain Bob Cope, Full Ahead Charters
Home Waters: Cape May, New Jersey
Peak Season: Mid-August to Late September

Fishing off the southern tip of New Jersey, Captain Bob Cope’s best fluke fishing happens at the end of the season, from mid-August until the season closes in late September. At that time of year, he focuses on deep structure, wrecks, and artificial reefs in 90 to 120 feet of water.

To pull fluke out of deep structure, Cope runs a chicken rig on a medium-heavy conventional rod that can handle up to 8-ounce weights. On days with ideal conditions and a moderate drift speed, he and his crew bounce bucktails on spinning gear. Both their spinning and conventional setups are loaded with 20- or 30-pound-test braided line.

Cope tips the bucktails and chicken rigs with Berkley Gulp—the 6-inch Grubs in pink shine, salmon, mackerel, and firetiger, and the 6-inch Swimming Mullet in white glow.

When fishing deep water, light winds are best for a manageable drift over the structure, Cope says. When the wind is out of a southerly direction, however, it’s tough to get the fish to cooperate, he notes.

Anglers fishing deep reefs off southern New Jersey struggle when they aren’t attentive to their bait and rigs, according to Cope. In structure, allowing too much scope in the presentation not only makes the baits look less appealing to the fluke, it increases the likelihood of snagging. Keep the rig moving and constantly adjust the amount of line that’s out to accommodate changing depths.

One of the game-changers in Cope’s fluke program in recent years has been the addition of a Minn Kota trolling motor that helps him keep the boat where he wants it to present to fluke in the heart of the structure.

Using a trolling motor to pinpoint the heavy structure where big fluke feed has been a game-changer for Cope.

Captain Cope’s Artificial Reef Fluke Gear

Back Bays and Inlets

Angler: Captain Scott Newhall, Time Out Charters
Home Waters: Atlantic County, New Jersey
Peak Season: Mid-May to Mid-August

Captain Scott Newhall leans on large live baits to cull backwater keepers. *(Photo courtesy Capt. Scott Newhall)*

In the back bays behind southern New Jersey’s barrier islands, Captain Scott Newhall has three months of prime fluke fishing beginning in the middle of May, not just for keeper-sized fish, but for doormats as well. “The best shot at fish approaching doormat status of 10 pounds or better is during the months of June, July, and August when fishing skinny water or an inlet.”

Newhall fishes a wide range of depths and is less focused on the specific depth than how it relates to the surrounding bottom. He looks instead for “funnels” through which fluke move to and from the main thoroughfares, giving him “an opportunity to intercept ‘fresh’ fish entering the system.”

Bright, sunny conditions make for the best fishing in the backwaters, Newhall says. “Steady, high pressure that lasts for days means the bite gets better each day. This provides the most consistent and dependable fishing due to calm and clean water that remains at a consistent temperature.” Hard south or southwest winds that disrupt those patterns and create cold upwellings and dramatic water temperature drops temporarily shut off the bite, until the fish acclimate to the colder water, he notes.

When using jigs, he fishes a 1-ounce bucktail tipped with a 5- or 6-inch Berkley Gulp Grub. Sometimes, for added attraction, he adds a dropper about 15 inches above the jig with a 4-inch Gulp Swimming Mullet, Shrimp, or Jerk Shad. For colors, Newhall sticks to fluke staples white and pink.

In his hunt for back-bay doormats, however, Newhall often leans on live bait, especially large ones. He presents peanut bunker, mullet, or super-sized mummichogs on octopus-style hooks fished on 3- to 4-inch dropper loops off a high-low rig.

Newhall looks for “funnels” through which fluke move to and from the main thoroughfares, giving him an opportunity to intercept ‘fresh’ fish entering the system. *(Photo courtesy Capt. Scott Newhall)*

While the backwater fluke fleet can grow to an impressive size in the summer months, Newhall doesn’t shy away from crowds. “I like to fish known doormat-producing waters that are hidden in plain sight among the summertime crowds. While hectic, these spots produce large fish each year because keeper and doormat fluke pass through the area and stage on location.”

One of the main mistakes Newhall sees among back-bay fluke fishermen in those fleets is that they use only small live baits, like the standard-issue mummichogs from the bait shop. By presenting larger baitfish that he’s caught himself, Newhall can fish “alone in the crowd” and target the largest fluke in the area.

Captain Scott’s Back-Bay Live Bait Setup

Montauk

Angler: Captain Tyler Quaresimo, Simple Life Charters
Home Waters: Montauk, New York
Peak Season: Mid- to Late June

Every fluke season is different off the east end of Long Island, where Captain Tyler Quaresimo operates the Simple Life. “There are highs and lows throughout the year, but if I had to pick one specific time. I’d choose mid- to late June when the water starts to warm up.”

With such varied structure and depths on Montauk’s fluke grounds, over the course of the season Quaresimo fishes depths from 20 to 120 feet, but says that some of his favorite locations are in roughly 80 feet.

Quaresimo says that fishing in deteriorating conditions can sometimes fire up the bite. *(Photo courtesy Capt. Tyler Quaresimo)*

In such a range of areas, there’s no one-size-fits-all rod-and-reel setup for Montauk, but Quaresimo favors a 7’6”, medium-heavy conventional outfit spooled with 30-pound-test braided line. It’s a stout setup that serves double-duty as his favorite blackfish rod, but in Montauk, home of the world record fluke, it’s best to be prepared for a doormat.

Early in the season, he likes chicken rigs fitted with ½-ounce Spro Prime bucktails, but as the water warms and the late June prime time approaches, he beefs up his terminal tackle to Backwater Baits Poison Tails tipped with fluke belly and 6-inch Berkley Gulp Grubs. “White, glow, chartreuse, and pink are all essential colors in my book,” he says.

Quaresimo spruces up his Poison Tails with fluke belly strips and 6-inch Berkley Gulp Grubs. *(Photo by Jimmy Fee)*

Warm water, clear skies, and a steady, easy drift brings the most consistent fishing off Montauk, Quaresimo notes, but anglers willing to fish in declining conditions could experience some lights-out fishing. “I believe the same bad weather with fronts coming through and east winds that kill a bite can also turn on a feeding frenzy before the bite shuts down.”

As a captain, Quaresimo is detail oriented, commenting that every factor matters more than most fishermen realize. To maximize his catch, he pays close attention to the exact water depth, edge of the piece, drift speed, and direction. “Any little deviation can result in a change, and it’s impressive—as well as frustrating—how every tiny detail can make an enormous impact.” Many times, that deviation is beyond an angler’s control, such as a wind or tide change but, according to Tyler, “it helps plan your next course of action if you understand what is happening.”

Bounce Through the Bite

“Swinging and missing has been a plague lately,” Quaresimo says of short-biting fluke. “We have seen it more the last few years—the fish have been hitting once and not coming back. My best attempt to counteract this is to almost ignore them. If the fish aren’t climbing on, I disregard the first few bites but continue bouncing the rig exactly the same way I was before I got the bite. After a few seconds of this, I typically feel that the weight of the fish is just sitting on the rig. That’s when I set the hook.”

Captain Tyler’s Montauk Fluke Setup

From the Surf

Angler: Steve George, NightStrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC
Home Waters: Ocean County, New Jersey
Peak Season: May and June

From Jersey Shore sand, Steve George of NightStrikes Surfcasting Guide Service insists there’s no better time for a doormat fluke than May and June. After migrating from offshore, fluke are beginning to spread out; the back bays still have fish, but according to George, a string of days with calm seas and consistently warm weather can quickly fire up a bite in the surf zone.

Because fluke prefer to feed in warm water, wind speed and direction play a critical role in planning outings, so Steve keeps a close eye on the daily forecast. “Strong south winds up the beach will cool the water temperature, as will a prolonged northeast blow,” he said. Those conditions can kill a bite.

A light 8-foot spinning rod provides George improved casting distance without sacrificing sensitivity.

In addition to clean, warm water, Steve searches for subtle changes in depth and sand structure where fluke lie in wait to pluck baitfish and crustaceans from the tumbling surf. “During peak season, I fish shallow cuts and troughs that range from 1 to 3 feet deep. My ideal setup for such areas is an 8-foot, light moderate-action spinning rod rated for ¼- to 1-ounce lures paired with a Van Staal VR50 that I spool with 15- to 20-pound braid.” Since he’s fishing only in calm surf conditions, the need for a sinker heavier than 1 ounce is rare. An 8-foot rod affords him sensitivity and improved casting distance.

Steve’s go-to presentation is a chicken rig with 5/0 octopus hooks tipped with 3- to 5-inch white Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullets. White stands out in clean water, and it happens to be a close color match to the forage base of surf-dwelling fluke that are feeding on vulnerable anchovies, sand eels, and mole crabs.

Take a Step Back

George notes that fluke often feed right on the beach lip, which is where many anglers run into issues landing fish. He recommends standing back from the water’s edge to more easily pull fluke through the wave break. *(Photo by John Fallon)*

The biggest mistakes George notices among other surf fluke fishermen are their retrieve speed and distance from the water. While aggressive smaller fluke will readily chase down a fast-moving offering, larger fluke—the ones Steve is after—are more likely to stay put for an easy meal. Slowing down your retrieve and working every nook and cranny on the bottom will coax those keeper-size fluke to strike. “Standing too close to the water can also cost you fish,” George said. “They are right on the beach lip most days.” The beach lip, where the waves break, is the area where most anglers run into issues with landing their catch. By taking one or two big steps back, George can effectively work the surf zone and quickly pull fish right onto the beach rather than pulling them through the wave break.

As with any surfcasting excursion, Steve notes the importance of covering water. “When working the surf zone, don’t stay in one hole too long without a bite because you can always come back to it. Instead, keep walking and searching for new structure by reading the waves and the water.”

Steve George’s Surf Fluke Setup

Nantucket Shoals

Angler: Capt. Jeff Viamari, Bad Influence Sportfishing
Home Waters: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Peak Season: June to Early September

Swift currents sweep over miles of varied depths and bottom on the fabled fluke grounds at Nantucket Shoals. While some areas in the Northeast have short peak seasons for summer flounder, the Shoals boast a lengthy 4-month season for Captain Jeff Viamari, who specializes in targeting double-digit fluke. “It’s a common misconception that June is the best month to catch big fish, but I’ve caught them as late as mid-September. Every year is different but, generally, June through early September is prime time.”

Bottom structure at the Shoals is constantly changing and, as a result, there are significant variations in depth; some areas are as shallow as 12 feet, while others can be as deep as 120 feet. However, Viamari is less concerned with depth than he is with water quality. “My focus is on water temperature, clarity, and bait,” he said. The Shoals’ currents act like a conveyor belt at the grocery store, and the clerk at the register is a doormat fluke. Food comes right to them in the form of squid, sand eels, mackerel, and even small bluefish.

Those strong currents are the reason Viamari recommends that his customers bring three different setups. “I ask them to bring one light spinning rod for bucktailing around the slack, a second rod that can handle 6 to 10 ounces, and a third rod that can manage up to 16 ounces for when the tide is really screaming,” he said. “I find that 20- to 30-pound-test braid works best because it allows you to fish lighter weight.”

Viamari’s rig of choice is a high-low rig with two Backwater Baits Poison Tails and an appropriately weighted sinker. He spruces up each of the skirted baits with assorted scented baits. “Of course, you have to have Gulp, but I also keep an assortment of baits on the boat to match the conditions, including fluke-belly strips, whole squid, squid strips, and spearing.”

Think Outside the (Tackle) Box

To further enhance those scented offerings, Viamari keeps trailers in assorted colors so he and his clients can adjust their rigs on the fly based on what’s producing the best results. “I always try to fish pink and blue glow, white, pink, and blue. However, I do keep other colors on board, including variations of green and salmon red.”

Color selection is just one piece of the puzzle, and while trailers do beef up a bait’s profile, Viamari believes that sending down an extra-large bait is not always the answer to catching a doormat. “I see fishermen making the mistake of trying to fish the biggest bait they can because they think large baits result in big fish. Instead, most of the time, a small bait with a clean presentation is more effective.” It sounds contradictory, but he maintains that thinking outside the box and using smaller offerings has helped him catch more trophy fluke at the Shoals over the years.

Chesapeake Bay

Angler: Captain Robbie Bryan, Reel Release Sportfishing
Home Waters: Virginia Beach, VA
Peak Season: Mid-June to late August

While cobia and bull red drum provide drag-ripping summertime options close to shore, Captain Robbie Bryan always finds time to target the summer flounder around the Chesapeake Bay.

In the Bay, Bryan explains that depth is less important than structure, and in a given season, he might target fish anywhere from 5 to 80 feet of water. In general, the stickier the structure, the better. While fishermen can catch drifting along flats and channel edges, the biggest fluke live in areas where you’re likely to lose gear. This makes jigging the favorite fluke tactic for Bryan.

Bryan finds fluke at a wide range of depths in the Chesapeake. (Photo courtesy Capt. Robbie Bryan)

Bryan favors spinning tackle for fluke fishing as it allows him to toss his preferred offering, a ball head jig tipped with a 7-inch Gulp Jerk Shad and a strip of cut bait (cobia belly), around the structure to more effectively cover the structure. Clean water and a steady drift are the two most important factors for fluke fishing off Virginia, while no tide or too much tide can make it difficult to effectively present baits.

Keep On Jigging

Robbie faces similar challenges as fluke-targeting captains farther north when it comes to converting short-biting fluke into hooked fish. “When I get a bite, I still jig my rod but not a lot. The idea is to almost trick them into thinking the bait they grabbed is trying to get away. It seems that they eat the bait faster when I do that.”

Captain Robbie’s Fluke Jigging Setup

Captain’s Table Fluke Preparations

“I love the most basic formula for fresh fluke: using bread crumbs to make fried fluke fillets.” – Captain Scott Newhall

“Fluke al cartoccio (in foil) Asian style: green onion, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar.” – Peter Ranieri

“Season the fillets with salt, pepper and garlic, then sear them on the Blackstone. After flipping once, place a healthy serving of compound butter on top of the fillets before covering and letting them finish cooking in the butter.” – Captain Jeff Viamari

“My favorite recipe is whatever the person who cooks it for me makes. It’s always very good because fluke is pretty hard to ruin.” – Captain Bob Cope

“Fried flounder B.L.T, with the fluke breaded in smashed up frosted flakes to get that salty and sweet taste!” – Captain Robbie Bryan

The Fluke Coast Playbook