It's Doormat Fluke Time
This winter and spring has been mild and the water temperatures have been
higher than in past years. The dogwoods are blooming three weeks ahead of
schedule, and when that happens my hands begin to itch since it usually means
that big blackfish are beginning to stir. However, the blackfish stocks have
been in serious decline so I made a decision not to target them in the spring.
What to fish for? No problem. The east end of Long Island, specifically the
Peconic Bay area around Shelter Island has been experiencing a spectacular run
of fluke in May and June. I'm not talking about the typical 1-3 lb. fish we
normally see during the run, but fluke of gargantuan proportions where an 8-10
lb. fish doesn't even get noticed. Last year there were many fish taken over
10 lbs. with the big fish of the run topping out at 18.75 lbs. caught during
the second week of May on the partyboat Prime Time III.
As I said, this is not your typical fluke fishing. The fish are not numerous,
the water is deep (60-80 feet) and you are fishing in strong tidal areas.
Beefy tackle is required to deal with the conditions as well as the size of
the fish. My favorite rig is a 7-7 1/2 foot medium action rod with a good
conventional reel spooled with 20 lb.
mono. The rod must be capable of handling up to 10 ounces of lead. Also,
make sure that your reel drag is working properly. More big fluke are lost
because of a too tight drag, especially when the fish is at the boatside
waiting to be netted.
We are targeting big fluke. This time of year that means using whole squid
for bait since that's what brought the fluke in. This time of year is the
squid run in the Peconics. A fresh squid is the prime bait. Another good
bait is a 10 inch strip of fluke belly or similar size strip of dogfish. I
typically rig this on a double tandem hook rig. I use a 48 inch length of 30
lb. leader material and snell 2 4/0 Gamakatsu, Owner or Mustad octopus style
hooks approximately 5 inches apart.
I add a small bead to the leader and then a 4 1/2 inch chartreuse plastic
squid. Another attractant that works well is a 3/4 inch green and silver
mylar spin-n-glow.
Because of the deep water and strong tides you need to employ the "drop back"
to insure a good hook up ratio. Big fluke are opportunistic feeders and are
basically lazy. The wait in ambush for bait to be carried to them by the
tide. Also, big fluke usually do not hit the bait agressively. When you get
the bite it feels like just added weight. With the strong tides in this area
you need to drop back on the fish.
You will be working your bait with a slow jigging motion along the bottom.
Keep your reel in free spool with your thumb on the spool. When you feel
added weight point the rod tip at the water while at the same time letting out
10-15 feet of line.
Apply pressure to the spool with your thumb. If you feel no weight, drop
back another 10-15 feet. If you feel weight, while still pointing the tip of
the rod at the water, lock your reel and let the line come tight. Then raise
your rod tip to set the hook.
If you feel a fish, start reeling at a slow and steady pace. Do not pump the
rod to raise the fish. If the fish takes drag, let it run. We the fish stops
start reeling again. It is very important that you understand that most of
these really large fluke are lost at the boatside because of not controlling
the fish so it can be netted properly. Call for the net before you see the
fish. You will know it's a good fish by the weight and the way it pulls on
the line.
When the fish first comes up near the boat, they usually try to make one more
attempt for freedom. If the fish dives and takes drag, let him run. When he
stops,
then start reeling again. Lead the fish to the net head first. Do not
attempt to lift the fish into the boat or take the fish's head out of the
water while waiting for the net.
If you are fishing from one of the charter or party boats from the area follow
the mate's instructions. They are very knowledgeable on bait and rigging as
well as landing these beautiful fish.
This run has become quite an event on the North Fork. If you are fishing any
of the party boats like the Prime Time or Peconic Star, get to the boat early
if you hope to get a prime spot at the rail.
Good luck and I hope to see you out there.
Return to Al Goldberg's Tackle Corner, Al's Columns or Dave's Homepage.
What to fish for? No problem. The east end of Long Island, specifically the Peconic Bay area around Shelter Island has been experiencing a spectacular run of fluke in May and June. I'm not talking about the typical 1-3 lb. fish we normally see during the run, but fluke of gargantuan proportions where an 8-10 lb. fish doesn't even get noticed. Last year there were many fish taken over 10 lbs. with the big fish of the run topping out at 18.75 lbs. caught during the second week of May on the partyboat Prime Time III.
As I said, this is not your typical fluke fishing. The fish are not numerous, the water is deep (60-80 feet) and you are fishing in strong tidal areas. Beefy tackle is required to deal with the conditions as well as the size of the fish. My favorite rig is a 7-7 1/2 foot medium action rod with a good conventional reel spooled with 20 lb. mono. The rod must be capable of handling up to 10 ounces of lead. Also, make sure that your reel drag is working properly. More big fluke are lost because of a too tight drag, especially when the fish is at the boatside waiting to be netted.
We are targeting big fluke. This time of year that means using whole squid for bait since that's what brought the fluke in. This time of year is the squid run in the Peconics. A fresh squid is the prime bait. Another good bait is a 10 inch strip of fluke belly or similar size strip of dogfish. I typically rig this on a double tandem hook rig. I use a 48 inch length of 30 lb. leader material and snell 2 4/0 Gamakatsu, Owner or Mustad octopus style hooks approximately 5 inches apart. I add a small bead to the leader and then a 4 1/2 inch chartreuse plastic squid. Another attractant that works well is a 3/4 inch green and silver mylar spin-n-glow.
Because of the deep water and strong tides you need to employ the "drop back" to insure a good hook up ratio. Big fluke are opportunistic feeders and are basically lazy. The wait in ambush for bait to be carried to them by the tide. Also, big fluke usually do not hit the bait agressively. When you get the bite it feels like just added weight. With the strong tides in this area you need to drop back on the fish.
You will be working your bait with a slow jigging motion along the bottom. Keep your reel in free spool with your thumb on the spool. When you feel added weight point the rod tip at the water while at the same time letting out 10-15 feet of line. Apply pressure to the spool with your thumb. If you feel no weight, drop back another 10-15 feet. If you feel weight, while still pointing the tip of the rod at the water, lock your reel and let the line come tight. Then raise your rod tip to set the hook.
If you feel a fish, start reeling at a slow and steady pace. Do not pump the rod to raise the fish. If the fish takes drag, let it run. We the fish stops start reeling again. It is very important that you understand that most of these really large fluke are lost at the boatside because of not controlling the fish so it can be netted properly. Call for the net before you see the fish. You will know it's a good fish by the weight and the way it pulls on the line.
When the fish first comes up near the boat, they usually try to make one more attempt for freedom. If the fish dives and takes drag, let him run. When he stops, then start reeling again. Lead the fish to the net head first. Do not attempt to lift the fish into the boat or take the fish's head out of the water while waiting for the net.
If you are fishing from one of the charter or party boats from the area follow the mate's instructions. They are very knowledgeable on bait and rigging as well as landing these beautiful fish.
This run has become quite an event on the North Fork. If you are fishing any of the party boats like the Prime Time or Peconic Star, get to the boat early if you hope to get a prime spot at the rail.
Good luck and I hope to see you out there.