NJ State Record Fluke - Spearfishing Category

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has officially certified the first entry into the new Spearfishing category in the State Record Fish Program. Robert A. Davis of Bamber Lake, New Jersey, speared the state record fluke (summer flounder) on August 4, 2014.

The fish weighed in at 15 pounds 5 ounces which exceeded the set minimum weight of 12 pounds. The fluke is also being recognized as a World Record by the International Underwater Sprearfishing Association (IUSA).

The record-setting fluke was speared near Barnegat Lighthouse in 20 feet of water.

For more information, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com.

source: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife

Regional Fishery Councils Approve Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Specifications

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) have established commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish for the 2014 fishing season and beyond.

For more information, visit: http://www.asmfc.org/



source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Best Baits For Flounder Fishing

Choosing the correct bait for flounder fishing can make or break a trip. The best baits for catching summer flounder (fluke) vary by location, season, and other factors.

In the Mid Atlantic states, top flounder baits typically include live minnows, frozen squid, frozen silversides, strip baits, saltwater baitfish, shrimp, soft-shelled crabs, peeler crabs, and other baits.

Most coastal tackle shops offer a variety of  live and frozen baits for catching flounder. Live minnows such as mummichogs, killifish, and sheepshead minnows are among the most popular baits in many locations.


Most tackle shops and suppliers also stock frozen baits, including squid, silversides, finger mullet, and spearing. Many of these baits have a specific season or area where they are most effective.

In some areas, specialized baits are used to catch flounder. This is especially true in locations where trophy-class flounder are known to congregate.

In some areas, tackle shops or marinas offer larger live baits such as spot, pinfish, or other small fish species. Fish suitable for use as live bait can also be caught with cast nets or sabiki rigs.

Large strip baits are another popular bait for catching trophy sized flounder. Strip baits are usually cut from croakers, spot, bluefish, or other fresh caught fish.

Although less common, anglers sometimes make bait strips from shark belly, mahi mahi, false albacore, mackerel, or other light-colored fish parts.

When targeting large flounder, size, texture and color matters when it comes to cutting strip baits. Fish species such as croaker work exceptionally well as because of their large size, silvery color and firm meat.

For species with softer flesh, such as bluefish, strip baits can be prepared in advance and toughened with a liberal coating of kosher salt. Ideal strip baits should be shaped like a trolling spoon and trimmed to a uniform thickness.

In southern areas, shrimp is popular for catching flounder. Shrimp has long been a popular flounder bait in North Carolina, where native shrimp are abundant.

Live shrimp are usually fished under a popping cork. Dead shrimp baits can be fished on traditional 2 hook flounder rigs, Carolina rigs, or threaded onto jig heads.

In recent years, the use of shrimp as a flounder bait has increased as anglers are finding shrimp in the stomachs of flounder as far north as Maryland.

Flounder Fishing Techniques

summer flounder

The summer flounder, known in some areas as fluke, is one of the most popular saltwater species found along the Atlantic Coast.

These odd looking fish are not only a challenge to catch, but are one of the best saltwater fish for the table. Their meat is white, fine grained, and mild tasting.

The following articles discuss local information, species profiles, tips, techniques, rigs, and other information for catching flounder

Baits and Rigs for Catching Virginia Flounder

Spring Flounder Techniques