Fluke Fishing Charters

Fluke, also called Summer Flounder, are the bread and butter of party boat fishing from the Carolinas to southern New England. These flat-bodied predators are far more aggressive than most people expect, ambushing baitfish and squid from their camouflaged position on the ocean floor. A good fluke trip on a party boat is a reliable, fun day of fishing that almost always puts dinner on the table.

Party boats fish for fluke by drifting over sandy bottoms, channels, and structure in 20 to 80 feet of water. The standard rig is a bucktail jig tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or a Gulp! artificial bait, bounced along the bottom as the boat drifts. The bite is distinctive: a series of taps as the fluke grabs the bait, followed by a solid pull when it commits. Setting the hook on a "doormat" fluke is one of the most satisfying feelings in inshore fishing.

While fluke do not fight like a bluefish or striper, large fish put up a surprising battle with broad-sided runs and stubborn resistance. The real trophies are the "doormats" over 10 pounds. These fish are increasingly rare, making each one a memorable catch.

Fluke are among the best eating fish in the Atlantic. The meat is white, flaky, and delicate with a clean, mild flavor that even non-seafood lovers enjoy. Most states have minimum size limits in the 18 to 21 inch range, so expect to throw back several shorts for every keeper you land.