Summer Flounder

Summer flounder are commonly found along the U.S. Atlantic coast, particularly from Massachusetts to North Carolina, with prime fishing grounds around New Jersey, Long Island, and Delaware Bay. The best time to fish for fluke is during the warmer months, typically from May through September. As the water temperatures rise, summer flounder move into shallow waters, making them accessible to anglers fishing from both boats and the shore. Early summer is prime time for catching larger specimens, as the fluke are most active and feeding aggressively before moving offshore in the fall.

The summer, or northern, flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), commonly called fluke, is a flatfish found along the eastern coast of the United States, from Maine down to Florida. What makes summer flounder unique is its ability to camouflage itself against the sandy or muddy ocean bottom, blending in to ambush unsuspecting prey. It has a broad, flattened body with both eyes located on one side of its head—a common feature of flatfish. Summer flounder are typically light brown with varying patterns of dark spots, which help them blend into the ocean floor. These fish are opportunistic feeders and are known for their sharp teeth, which they use to prey on shrimp, crabs, small fish, and squid. While most fluke caught by anglers weigh between 2 and 6 pounds, larger specimens — called "doormats" — can grow over 10 pounds, with the record catch tipping the scales at 22.7 pounds. The fluke spawn in early summer, migrating for the purpose from the deep offshore waters, where they spend the winter, to the bays and estuaries nearshore. Their sudden and temporary abundance coincides with the arrival of tourists and holidaymakers, making summer flounder a popular recreational fishing target, sometimes looked down on by seasoned local anglers. Fluke is also an important species for both commercial fishing, and its mild, tender flesh is highly sought after by seafood lovers.

Catching summer flounder can be both fun and rewarding, as they are known to strike hard and put up a decent fight, even for their size. They inhabit coastal bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters, particularly favoring sandy or muddy bottoms where they can hide and ambush prey. You’ll often find them in water depths ranging from 10 to 100 feet. The most popular method for targeting fluke is drift fishing from a boat over sandy or muddy bottoms. Anglers typically use bucktail jigs tipped with squid or strip baits, which are bounced along the bottom to mimic small fish or crustaceans. Fishing with live bait, such as minnows, shrimp, or sand eels, can also be highly effective. Fluke are notorious for their quick strikes, so it’s important to maintain a sharp hook and a steady hand to ensure a solid hook set. Light to medium tackle is generally preferred, but heavier gear may be necessary for larger "doormat" fluke. Flounder are also commonly caught from piers, jetties, and beaches using bottom rigs with natural bait. When fishing from shore, casting into deeper channels or along drop-offs can yield the best results, as flounder tend to sit in these areas waiting to ambush passing prey. Fluke fishing can be enjoyed by anglers of all skill levels, and with the right technique, you can reel in enough to fill your cooler for a delicious fish fry.