Reel Class Fluke 7/2

[Reel Class]

Had a bunch of NJFers aboard today for the FIRST fluke till ya puke trip of the summer: George K, Joe O, Willie E and my old pal Ray Linfante.

Ran north, figured we'd split the day between fishing the rough stuff and fishing in the deep on some lumps and in the shallows.

Fished the stretch between Deal and Long Branch, and at first, we had a VERY slow pick of mostly keeper fluke on the rough stuff on bucktails and regular bait rigs with fresh spearing, strips, and gulp baits. George nailed a beautiful 26"/7.5# fish mid morning, which was roughly our third keeper. Picked away at a few more, then that crapped out, so we moved to some deeper water.

In the deep, we found dogfish city, so we went back to the rough stuff and picked away at some small seabass, although Joe nailed one JUMBO of 4.5#, and Willie decked a slob ling.

All day long winds were variable out of the NW to SW to SE to NE, etc. so after the tide change we went in on the beach, and found LOTS of life in the 18-25' depths. Mostly short fluke, but a few keepers sprinkled in for good measure. We had a real nice pick of fish before we called it a day at just after 3 with the south winds really starting to crank.

Caught probably ~75 fluke, of which only 8 were keepers, with the jumbo seabass and ling thrown in for good measure along with a bunch of short seabass, doggies, and the usual birds and skates. Overall a good day with a great, fun group of guys with good action 

Not for nothing, but if it were last year, we probably would've EASILY limited out since about 50% of the fluke we threw back were between 17-17.99"

Will post pics tomorrow on this thread, too tired to upload 

[PeggyLee]

Way to go.I agree, if it was last year we'd be home in half the day.

[njdevil]

Nice report and catch for the guys.

NJDEVIL 

[wink_man]

Sounds like a good day Captain Allen. From what I've seen and heard, most people are experiencing a low keeper to throwback ratio. And at an 18 inch size limit, I'm sure it will continue.

And just think, all those 17 inch fish we are releasing can be netted by the commercials, so won't be back next year.

I guess it serves us right. We recreational fisherman are just so efficient with our rods, and have SO devastated the fluke resource, that the poor commercials with their inefficient nets needed to increase the size limit on us so they stand a fighting chance, LMAO.

Garry

[IrishAyes]

Good catch Capt Allen. Them's the same spots I hit up most of the time.  Usually do good on them. So far this year, not as good, but improving. Another week or two, we will knock em out on them spots. 

[Luna Sea 5]

 

[Bucktail]

Nice catch Capt.

[ped579]

 

[Reel Class]

Thanks guys, pics were added above 

[Spearfish]

Look at the bright side of the higher size limit - less fillet time and bigger fillets.  The other day when I was filleting my catch I had a fish that looked small in the cooler.  I had to get the ruler out and measure it on the fillet board to make sure it was legal.  It was 18-1/4".  18" fish look small now.  Can you imagine filleting 13" fish like you would have about 10 years ago?  I'm not saying I like the larger size limit, just looking for something positive.

[Pops Soul]

Nice Report Allen 

[Reel Class]

Spearfish, I hear ya man.  Its all relative I guess, but I'm still in the school believing that a 17" fluke is just a nice fish, just shouldn't go back, but it has to so we have no choice. 

I wasn't complaining, we're still catching fluke and keeping fluke, but the regs are starting to get out of control 

[IrishAyes]

I agree with you Captain Allen. The regs are so out of control it will take a huge overhaul to get them any where near proper.

There are more fluke out there now than there has ever been.

As long as they keep telling us to keep BIGGER fish, we will ALWAYS be over our quota.

[Reel Class]

Joe, I'm replying to this on this thread since its "on-topic"

...Supposedly, the scientist hired by the SSFFF Mr. Maunder is making some serious headway with the powers that be that will enable the regulators to create more flexible regulations on summer flounder...

This was in the APP on Friday, hopefully the headway will continue 

[IrishAyes]

 

That is exactly what we need. Someone who KNOWS what they are talking about with this and not someone who tells the people in charge what they want to hear.

Hopefully, the good Dr. can convince the right people to get the regulations in order.

Let's keep our fingers crossed on this one.