How to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Paralichthys dentatus
Also known as summer flounder, doormat.
Fluke are ambush-feeding flatfish that lie on sandy bottom, a staple summer target for bay and nearshore anglers along the US East Coast.
🏆 World record: The IGFA tracks an all-tackle world record for summer flounder, commonly called fluke on the US East Coast. IGFA records can change over time, so check igfa.org for the current mark. All records →
Where to find them
Sandy and mixed bottom in bays, inlets, and nearshore
Season
Late spring through early fall
Best baits & lures for Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Drift over sand and structure edges, bouncing a bucktail along the bottom. The biggest fluke often hold near structure and drop-offs.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Fluke (Summer Flounder) when conditions line up.
Ways to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Catch to table: Fluke (Summer Flounder)
A top-tier flatfish, also known as summer flounder, and one of the most sought-after inshore table fish. Keep legal-size fish and enjoy the sweet white fillets.
Taste: Delicate, sweet, and mild with thin, tender white fillets. Cooks quickly and takes light seasoning beautifully.
Cleaning: Fillet both sides off the flat body, working around the frame, then skin each fillet to yield four boneless pieces.
How to cook it
- • Lightly bread and pan-fry for classic fried flounder.
- • Bake with white wine, butter, and herbs.
- • Serve thin fresh slices as crudo or ceviche.
Tip: Keep on ice and fillet the same day; the thin flesh is easy to overcook, so cook it gently.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Book a Fluke (Summer Flounder) charter
Guides and charter boats that target Fluke (Summer Flounder), by destination:
Catching Fluke (Summer Flounder): FAQ
What's the best bait for Fluke (Summer Flounder)?
Proven options include bucktails tipped with Gulp, squid strips, spearing/minnow combos. Drift over sand and structure edges, bouncing a bucktail along the bottom. The biggest fluke often hold near structure and drop-offs.
When is the best time to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)?
Late spring through early fall. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Fluke (Summer Flounder)?
Look for Sandy and mixed bottom in bays, inlets, and nearshore. Anglers target them at spots like Montauk, Cape Cod, Rockaway.
Anglers also target
Time your next Fluke (Summer Flounder) trip
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