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Welcome to the Web based Welcome to the Web based PowerPoint presentation of:PowerPoint presentation of:

“Tips to Successful“Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Fluke Fishing”

by Capt. John Koliasby Capt. John KoliasReel Fun SportfishingReel Fun Sportfishing

Sandy Hook, NJSandy Hook, NJ(left mouse click to move onto next page (left mouse click to move onto next page

or scroll using browser scroll bar)or scroll using browser scroll bar)

“ “Tips to Successful Fluke Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Fishing”

What’s a Fluke? (Summer Flounder)What’s a Fluke? (Summer Flounder)• The most popular inshore flatfish in the Northeast that range in size The most popular inshore flatfish in the Northeast that range in size

from 1-2 lbs up to 10-15 lbs.(Doormats) Average fish caught in NJfrom 1-2 lbs up to 10-15 lbs.(Doormats) Average fish caught in NJis around 2.5 lbs to 6 lbsis 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”Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”

Tackle we use for Fluke fishing:Tackle we use for Fluke fishing:

Baitcaster Rod:Baitcaster Rod:

6’6” Med/Hvy, fast action tip bait casting rod6’6” Med/Hvy, fast action tip bait casting rodPenn International 965 or Shimano Tekota 500Penn International 965 or Shimano Tekota 500Level Wind ReelLevel Wind Reel

Line:Line: 30 lb test Power Pro or Suffix Braid30 lb test Power Pro or Suffix Braid over Dacron backing. over Dacron backing.


Rigs: Rigs: Standard Fluke Rig- Standard Fluke Rig-

3 way swivel, 6” dropper loop for sinker,3 way swivel, 6” dropper loop for sinker,24” Fluorocarbon 30 lb. leader snelled to a 2/0 or 4/024” Fluorocarbon 30 lb. leader snelled to a 2/0 or 4/0Gamagatsu Shiner or Eagle Laser Sharp Kahle hook.Gamagatsu Shiner or Eagle Laser Sharp Kahle hook.Sinker- 2 to 6 oz. lead bank sinkerSinker- 2 to 6 oz. lead bank sinker

Photo courtesy of The Fisherman Library

““Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing” Tips to Successful Fluke Fishing”

Rigs: Rigs:

Basic Bucktail Fluke Rig- Basic Bucktail Fluke Rig-

**75 lb. barrel swivel tied to end of running line (Braid).**75 lb. barrel swivel tied to end of running line (Braid).

**24” Bucktail Rig with dropper loop tied approx. 12” above **24” Bucktail Rig with dropper loop tied approx. 12” above end end

of line.of line.

** 75 lb. Snap Swivel tied to end of bucktail rig for attaching 2,** 75 lb. Snap Swivel tied to end of bucktail rig for attaching 2, 4, 6 oz. Spro Bucktail in Glow or Chartreuse/White. 4, 6 oz. Spro Bucktail in Glow or Chartreuse/White.


Baits of Choice:Baits of Choice:

• Peruvian Smelt/Squid comboPeruvian Smelt/Squid combo

• Sand eel/Squid combo-Squid strips should Sand eel/Squid combo-Squid strips should be cut in 4” to 6” long ribbonsbe cut in 4” to 6” long ribbons

• Bunker, Bluefish or Sea Robin stripsBunker, Bluefish or Sea Robin strips

• SandwormsSandworms

• Mackerel StripsMackerel Strips

• Small whole squidSmall whole squid


Article courtesy of Saltwater Sportsman


Where to Find Fluke……Where to Find Fluke……Structure!Structure!• Tidal Rips – “The Rip”Tidal Rips – “The Rip”• Channel edges-Ambrose Channel, Channel edges-Ambrose Channel,

Raritan Reach Channel, Sandy Hook Raritan Reach Channel, Sandy Hook Channel and Chapel Hill ChannelChannel and Chapel Hill Channel

• Dredge holesDredge holes• Underwater structures- Sandy Hook Underwater structures- Sandy Hook

ReefReef• Fluke can also be found “on the flats”Fluke can also be found “on the flats”


About Structure-About Structure-Fluke have the tendency to be found around Fluke have the tendency to be found around

underwater structure and facing into the current on underwater structure and facing into the current on the the downsidedownside of that structure. Fluke also will be of that structure. Fluke also will be found along channel edges, deep in the channel at found along channel edges, deep in the channel at low tide and along the flats adjacent to the channel low tide and along the flats adjacent to the channel during high tide.during high tide.

Fluke will also be found in deep holes along the Fluke will also be found in deep holes along the beach or in channels, and around man made reefs beach or in channels, and around man made reefs (Sandy Hook Reef, Rattlesnake, etc)(Sandy Hook Reef, Rattlesnake, etc)

Remember…. when you go fishing for Fluke- Remember…. when you go fishing for Fluke- Structure, Structure, StructureStructure, Structure, Structure


Drifting tips for Boaters – Page 1Drifting tips for Boaters – Page 1

• Drift around and over structure. (DO NOT ANCHOR YOUR Drift around and over structure. (DO NOT ANCHOR YOUR BOAT)BOAT)

• Bait MUST be on the bottom at all times. Bounce that Bait MUST be on the bottom at all times. Bounce that sinker/bucktail!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 1Drop back on 1stst strike (5ft-10ft). 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.


Drifting tips for Boaters - Page 2Drifting tips for Boaters - Page 2

• Using your GPS, mark both the beginning point of your Using your GPS, mark both the beginning point of your drift AND where you get your first fish.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 If your drift is too fast to hold bottom either change your

sinker OR get out your drift sock which ALL good fluke sinker OR get out your drift sock which ALL good fluke fishermen should own.fishermen should own.

• If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat is not moving, its time to power drift to get your baits is not moving, its time to power drift to get your baits moving. (REMEMBER: NO MOVING BAITS= NO FISH)moving. (REMEMBER: NO MOVING BAITS= NO FISH)


Fishing ArtificialsFishing Artificials• Bucktails-Spro-Glo or white/chartreuse Bucktails-Spro-Glo or white/chartreuse

tipped with a strip of squid.tipped with a strip of squid.• 1 thru 6 oz depending on conditions1 thru 6 oz depending on conditions• Add strip baits to buck tailAdd strip baits to buck tail• Bounce buck tail off bottom in short Bounce buck tail off bottom in short

quick liftsquick lifts• Cast & Retrieve method works too!Cast & Retrieve method works too!


by Capt. John Koliasby Capt. John Kolias

Fishing the Sandy Hook Reef – Fluke & Sea Bass



JCAA Fluke Tournament Winner inthe Sandy Hook area.

Tony Colon with his 11 lb. doormat caught with live snapper in

Ambrose.


Some nice opening day fluke Ambrose Channel Fluke with a few of the crew.


SHBA Fluke Tournament 6.2

8.2 lb Fluke from Ambrose


“Doormat” Fluke SHBA Fluke Tournament



25’ Parker Sport Cabin - Furuno 24 mile Radar- Furuno 600L Color Fishfinder

Garmin 2010C GPS Charplotter- 2 Horizon VHF/DSC RadiosHeated cabin & toilet facilities- All Coast Guard Safety Gear


Thank you for visiting this web site.Thank you for visiting this web site.

From the staff ofFrom the staff ofReel Fun Sportfishing…..Reel Fun Sportfishing…..

Tight Lines & Following SeasTight Lines & Following Seas

Capt. John KoliasCapt. John Kolias

welcome to the web based powerpoint presentation of: “tips to successful fluke fishing” by capt....

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