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Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder, commonly called fluke in New Jersey, are one of the most sought-after gamefish along the state's coastline. New Jersey waters support exceptional populations.

Scientific Name: Paralichthys dentatus

Also known as fluke

Physical Characteristics:
  • These ambush predators can reach impressive sizes - females grow larger and faster than males, with juveniles reaching 9-12 inches in their first year and trophy 'doormat' specimens exceeding 10 pounds by their ninth year.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Left-eyed flatfish ranging from Nova Scotia to Florida, with the Mid-Atlantic Bight from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras serving as their center of abundance.
  • They inhabit diverse environments from back bays and salt marsh creeks to artificial reefs, shipwrecks, and continental shelf waters.

Key Locations

  • Ambrose Channel (21-70 feet), Barnegat Light Reef, Old Grounds off Cape May, Manasquan Ridge, Great Egg Reef, Delaware Bay, Island Beach State Park.

Specific Spots

  • Target grass flats, mosquito ditch exits, channels, and drop-offs in 2-10 feet of water for early season.
  • New Jersey's fluke are particularly attracted to sandy substrates, eelgrass beds, drop-offs, channels, and structures where they can ambush prey while buried in sediment.

Summer Flounder FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Summer Flounder in New Jersey?

Early season: ¼ to ¾-ounce SPRO Prime bucktail jigs tipped with Berkley Gulp 4-5 inch Swimming Minnows in chartreuse or natural colors. Mid to late summer: 3-6 ounce bucktails with 6-inch Berkley Gulp Grubs, large strip baits from fresh-caught sea robins or bluefish, or whole squid.

When is the best time to fish for Summer Flounder in New Jersey?

New Jersey's summer flounder season runs from May 4 through September 25. Prime fishing occurs May through early fall, with peak action in June-July and excellent opportunities through September.

How do you catch Summer Flounder in New Jersey?

Dr.ift fishing is most effective - bounce sinkers off bottom to create mud puffs that attract fish, and focus on ledges, drop-offs, and structure edges. Set the hook immediately with artificials, but wait 3-4 seconds with live or dead baits as fluke grab and hold prey before swallowing.

What do Summer Flounder eat?

Their diet varies seasonally and by location - early season prey includes grass shrimp, sand shrimp, and small crabs in estuarine areas, transitioning to spearing, peanut bunker, snapper blues, squid, and various baitfish as they move to deeper waters.

Where do Summer Flounder live in New Jersey?

Left-eyed flatfish ranging from Nova Scotia to Florida, with the Mid-Atlantic Bight from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras serving as their center of abundance. They inhabit diverse environments from back bays and salt marsh creeks to artificial reefs, shipwrecks, and continental shelf waters.

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