Welcome to the Web based PowerPoint presentation of: “Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” by Capt. John Kolias Reel Fun Sportfishing Sandy Hook, NJ (left mouse click to move onto next page or scroll using browser scroll bar)

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” “ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” What’s a Fluke? (Summer Flounder) The most popular inshore flatfish in the Northeast that range in size from 1-2 lbs up to lbs.(Doormats) Average fish caught in NJ is around 2.5 lbs to 6 lbs The most popular inshore flatfish in the Northeast that range in size from 1-2 lbs up to lbs.(Doormats) Average fish caught in NJ is around 2.5 lbs to 6 lbs During the winter, they live and spawn at the Continental shelf. During the winter, they live and spawn at the Continental shelf. Adults and juveniles migrate inshore in May to feed. Adults and juveniles migrate inshore in May to feed. Feed on: Spearing, Squid, Sandworms, Smelts, Strip Baits, etc. Feed on: Spearing, Squid, Sandworms, Smelts, Strip Baits, etc. Fluke hug the bottom when they swim. Fluke hug the bottom when they swim. They change topside coloration based upon where they are living. They change topside coloration based upon where they are living.

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Tackle we use for Fluke fishing: Baitcaster Rod: 6’6” Med/Hvy, fast action tip bait casting rod Penn International 965 or Shimano Tekota 500 Level Wind Reel Line:30 lb test Power Pro or Suffix Braid over Dacron backing.

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Rigs: Standard Fluke Rig- 3 way swivel, 6” dropper loop for sinker, 24” Fluorocarbon 30 lb. leader snelled to a 2/0 or 4/0 Gamagatsu Shiner or Eagle Laser Sharp Kahle hook. Sinker- 2 to 6 oz. lead bank sinker Photo courtesy of The Fisherman Library

“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Rigs: Basic Bucktail Fluke Rig- **75 lb. barrel swivel tied to end of running line (Braid). **24” Bucktail Rig with dropper loop tied approx. 12” above end of line. of line. ** 75 lb. Snap Swivel tied to end of bucktail rig for attaching 2, 4, 6 oz. Spro Bucktail in Glow or Chartreuse/White.

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Baits of Choice: Peruvian Smelt/Squid combo Peruvian Smelt/Squid combo Sand eel/Squid combo-Squid strips should be cut in 4” to 6” long ribbons Sand eel/Squid combo-Squid strips should be cut in 4” to 6” long ribbons Bunker, Bluefish or Sea Robin strips Bunker, Bluefish or Sea Robin strips Sandworms Sandworms Mackerel Strips Mackerel Strips Small whole squid Small whole squid

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Article courtesy of Saltwater Sportsman

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Where to Find Fluke……Structure! Tidal Rips – “The Rip” Tidal Rips – “The Rip” Channel edges-Ambrose Channel, Raritan Reach Channel, Sandy Hook Channel and Chapel Hill Channel Channel edges-Ambrose Channel, Raritan Reach Channel, Sandy Hook Channel and Chapel Hill Channel Dredge holes Dredge holes Underwater structures- Sandy Hook Reef Underwater structures- Sandy Hook Reef Fluke can also be found “on the flats” Fluke can also be found “on the flats”

“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” About Structure- Fluke have the tendency to be found around underwater structure and facing into the current on the downside of that structure. Fluke also will be found along channel edges, deep in the channel at low tide and along the flats adjacent to the channel during high tide. Fluke will also be found in deep holes along the beach or in channels, and around man made reefs (Sandy Hook Reef, Rattlesnake, etc) Remember…. when you go fishing for Fluke- Structure, Structure, Structure

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Drifting tips for Boaters – Page 1 Drift around and over structure. (DO NOT ANCHOR YOUR BOAT) Drift around and over structure. (DO NOT ANCHOR YOUR BOAT) Bait MUST be on the bottom at all times. Bounce that sinker/bucktail! Bait MUST be on the bottom at all times. Bounce that sinker/bucktail! Fish in free spool. Fish in free spool. Lift rod tip and drop back to feel bottom! Lift rod tip and drop back to feel bottom! Feel (Know what your weight feels like WITHOUT a fish on). Feel (Know what your weight feels like WITHOUT a fish on). Just enough weight to hold bottom. Just enough weight to hold bottom. Drop back on 1 st strike (5ft-10ft). Drop back on 1 st strike (5ft-10ft). Engage reel, make line tight, lift rod tip and set hook. Engage reel, make line tight, lift rod tip and set hook. Set hook with authority. Set hook with authority. Reel slowly & evenly…… don’t pump rod. Reel slowly & evenly…… don’t pump rod. Net fish from the head ONLY. Net fish from the head ONLY. Keep your fish in a cooler w/ ice or water. Keep your fish in a cooler w/ ice or water. Make sure those fish are legal for your area. Make sure those fish are legal for your area.

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Drifting tips for Boaters - Page 2 Using your GPS, mark both the beginning point of your drift AND where you get your first fish. Using your GPS, mark both the beginning point of your drift AND where you get your first fish. Zoom in as tight as you can on your GPS. Zoom in as tight as you can on your GPS. Use those 2 points to repeat your drift. Use those 2 points to repeat your drift. Keep your drifts short and tight. Keep your drifts short and tight. Long endless drifts without a fish are a waste of time. Long endless drifts without a fish are a waste of time. Fish swim together in tight groups. Fish swim together in tight groups. If your drift is too fast to hold bottom either change your sinker OR get out your drift sock which ALL good fluke fishermen should own. If your drift is too fast to hold bottom either change your sinker OR get out your drift sock which ALL good fluke fishermen should own. If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat is not moving, its time to power drift to get your baits moving. (REMEMBER: NO MOVING BAITS= NO FISH) If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat is not moving, its time to power drift to get your baits moving. (REMEMBER: NO MOVING BAITS= NO FISH)

“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Fishing Artificials Bucktails-Spro-Glo or white/chartreuse tipped with a strip of squid. Bucktails-Spro-Glo or white/chartreuse tipped with a strip of squid. 1 thru 6 oz depending on conditions 1 thru 6 oz depending on conditions Add strip baits to buck tail Add strip baits to buck tail Bounce buck tail off bottom in short quick lifts Bounce buck tail off bottom in short quick lifts Cast & Retrieve method works too! Cast & Retrieve method works too!

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” by Capt. John Kolias Fishing the Sandy Hook Reef – Fluke & Sea Bass

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” by Capt. John Kolias JCAA Fluke Tournament Winner in the Sandy Hook area. Tony Colon with his 11 lb. doormat caught with live snapper in Ambrose.

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Some nice opening day flukeAmbrose Channel Fluke with a few of the crew.

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” SHBA Fluke Tournament lb Fluke from Ambrose

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” “Doormat” Fluke SHBA Fluke Tournament

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” by Capt. John Kolias 25’ Parker Sport Cabin - Furuno 24 mile Radar- Furuno 600L Color Fishfinder Garmin 2010C GPS Charplotter- 2 Horizon VHF/DSC Radios Heated cabin & toilet facilities- All Coast Guard Safety Gear

“ Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Thank you for visiting this web site. From the staff of Reel Fun Sportfishing….. Tight Lines & Following Seas Capt. John Kolias