Early season flukin'

[wb]

It has been awhile since I have done any flukin' before Memorial Day, and even longer since I had a successful early season fluke trip. So, with the start of the fluke season just 2 weeks away, and the water still in the 40's, short of fishing down south, maybe some sharpies can chime in as to any tips or tricks to entice these tasty flatfish to bite in early season conditions?

Or should I just stick to stripers for awhile until the water warms up some?

[NJ Guy]

good question itd be nice to get some early flatties

[Reckless]

 Not the most knowledgable here but water has to be 60+. Thats the low end. 68 much better.

[Luna Sea 5]

Stay with the stripers. Early season start is great if the water was warmer. So far, NOT

[Fishin Dude]

   <'((((><

[catfish hunter]

fluke are here, just not in great numbers as of yet. I know of some that have been caught on the sand out front.

[Pops Soul]

fluke are here, just not in great numbers as of yet. I know of some that have been caught on the sand out front.

Wow Catfish where you been hiding first I've seen your name in a post in sometime. Good to see you back

[Bucktail]

Had some folks in the store that caught two fluke in the Squan, while flounder fishing the other day.  Also, have reliable reports from divers that Shark River is paved with fluke (not flounder) with some barn doors in the mix!

[The Broken One]

the rivers will be a GOOD early bet like the Manasquan, shark and even the Shrewsbury... with spearing being the bait... stripers were swirling on spearing in the river 2 weeks ago

 

[ped579]

Hey Charlie, nice to see your post.  I'm trying to get Woj to hit the beach with me but he is a stubborn Polock.  I'm going out on Thursday with his dad and am trying to get him to let loose with a comp day.

Happy Catching

Paul

[catfish hunter]

lol, I cant get him on the boat , I want to get him on the bass. he lives close to me know so I am gonna convert him to salt

[ped579]

He keeps talking about this $200.00 reel he has and I am trying to get him to use it.  I used to live in his area as I went to Madison Twp. HS.  I use to play with a band that played on Friday nights at the fire dept. 

Looks like it might have to be on an early Saturday morning.  I told him to decide before summer hits.

[catfish hunter]

 he got a nice set up , if you can talk him into it come on up for a bass trip we will get him and mad mike to go on my boat.

[ped579]

I'm trying to get him to go saltwater fishing period.  I think all we have to do is get him out once.

Sorry guys for hijacking the thread...

[Skolmann]

Think shallow .

Traditonal early season spot has always been the Bug Light inside of the Tip of the Hook. Actually between there and the Coast Guard Station.

In years past I've had good fluking on either side of the Oceanic Bridge in the Navesink from the first week of May until mid June.

I've taken fluke as early as April 15th while drifting worms for bass in the Sandy Hook Rips.

Belford & Port Monmouth flats should hold some fluke as well as the flats in the back bay.

I like using a single spearing for bait early on.