Fluke are a common species present in the Atlantic Ocean. They may be found from Nova Scotia to Florida. Fluke will on average be 1 to 4 pounds, but can attain a weight of more than 20 pounds. Fluke 8 pounds and over are considered to be a trophy.

   Fluke are a very aggressive fish and will feed almost any chance they get. This is one reason they remain very popular with anglers. Having been given the great advantage to blend in with the bottom they lay in wait and ambush prey. Fluke can be taken on live or cut bait as well as jigs, spinners, and spoons. In the fall and winter Fluke move offshore into water 100 feet deep and may even be found in water upto 400 feet deep.

   The New York State record Fluke was caught by Charles Nappi in 1975 and weighed 22 lb. 7 oz. The New Jersey State Record Fluke was caught by Walter Lubin off Cape May in 1953 and weighed 19 pounds, 12 ounces. It would not be surprising to see both of these record broken in a few years.

  It is good to see that the new size regulations are starting to produce some very nice fluke fishing in our coastal waters once again. Add in the bluefish and the stripers and you have a fishing adventure that most people would call the trip of a lifetime. We really need to take care of our wonderful fishery and not let it go through another traumatic phase as it did in the 1970's with pollution and over fishing almost destroying it.