Fishing Long Island for Fluke (Summer Flounder)

[FishHeadRic]

Hey Gang,

 

It's been a while since I've posted any reports so I figured now that I've moved back down here to Long Island, what better time to start posting again. It was a hectic move for me but now that the dust has settled I decided to reward myself by taking out the float boat and pickin' off some fluke. Fluke are Summer Flounder or Atlantic Halibut. They get upwards of 20lbs but the majority of them run in the 1 1/2 to 7lb range around these here parts.

 

 

This is the small harbour I fished in yesterday. It's about 5 min from my house on the north shore of L.I. To catch them you need to drift along and drag a hi-lo rig with a strip of squid and a shiner. Fluke are in every way predators. They lay on bottom waiting for anything to pass within range of striking distance. When something does they'll actually follow it for a bit or strike it right off the bat. Regulations down here have changed since I lived here before and now the fluke have to be 19.5" to keep with a much shorter season then previously.

 

 

The only keeper of the day. She was 23" and 2.5lbs. I caught 4 other shorts but that's fine by me. As long as I had something to bring home for supper!

 

When they're first born fluke look like all other fish with eyes on both sides of their heads. Eventually their eyes start to migrate over to one side and they start to swim sidways.

 

Only a face a mother could love!

 

I'm a size 9 1/2. Just to give you a referance as to how big it was.

 

Here's another referance pic with a lighter.

 

These fish have some serious teeth on them!

 

The one good thing about being flat is that they make for some of the easiest filletting fish I've ever had the pleasure to do.

 

YUMMMMM! Of all the fish I've ever eaten Fluke has to be one of my favorite fish ever! Nice flakey white meat that's almost sweet. A lot of Japanese will eat these raw and I don't blame them! These are some tasty, tasty critters!

 

Anyways, I'm not going to be able to get out till the end of the week but when I do I think I'm gonna go after some stripers and bluefish. Hopefully I'll have another report for you all then!

 

 

Take care!

 

FishHeadRic

[Riparian]

Mmmmmm

 

Hideously tasty.......

[mikeh]

nice report, that fish has some nasty teeth.

[Roy]

Glad you're doing good Ric. Nice to get news from you.

[Gerritt]

Nice to see you posting again Ric! welcome home brother!

 

 

Gerritt.

[ecxstriper]

nice Ric, I liker eating the blues more than the fluke ( I like my fish to taste Like fish). In New Jersey they have to be 17" but it is changing to 17 1/2 " next year, and there is no license for fishing tidal water

Edited August 21, 2007 by ALEX

[FishHeadRic]

Thanks Gerrit, Roy, Mikeh and Rip. It has been a while since I've posted any reports. I've been fishing but have moved 3 times over the past couple of years and been working like a dog so... feels good to get another report out there. I have been stoping in every once in a while to check out the reports but just haven't had the time to post. :/

 

Alex, I only like the cocktail blues. The bigger guys just taste like bunker to me...

 

 

FHR

Edited August 21, 2007 by FishHeadRic

[Greencoachdog]

Great report and pics Ric! I love eating the Flounders too, but find most restaurants like to cook it with the skin on. I prefer mine skinless, the skin give the meat a kind of diesel fuel taste.... but without the skin it's pure heaven!!!

[PatrickGG]

Good stuff Ric! and its good to hear everything is going good down in N.Y theres lots lakes to explore and fish in New York state hope you have alot of fun and i hope we soon see some more posts.

[Crazyhook]

Nice doormat Ric!

[FishHeadRic]

Thanks GCD, I like em with the skin off as well. Patrick, There mostly salt water where I am right now but I know what you're saying about the lakes of New York State. It's truely a beautiful area! Crazyhook I wish it was a door matt.

 

 

That's a door matt!!!

 

 

FHR

[ecxstriper]

Pending world record caught this week end in New Jersey 24.3 lbs and 38"

[highdrifter]

Hey I know that spot! Those are some sweet memories..

 

Good to see you've made it out there Ric.

 

All the best. Keep em coming.

 

HD

Edited August 21, 2007 by Highdrifter

[FishHeadRic]

Thanks Fidel!

 

Ric

[motv8tr]

Good to hear from you Ric, hope all is well. That is one ugly fish, but if it taste like Halibut...mmmmmm Good to hear you're taking time to get out and fish, and I'll be looking forward to you reports.

 

Maureen

[Guest Johnny Bass]

Good to see you posting again Rick! Thats one ugly fish but I am sure it tastes great. Not sure about the fight though with the sideways swimming and the cross eyes.lol

 

Try to get some Striper video!!!

[ccmtcanada]

Great report....especially the pics. Thanks for all the details there...it's great to learn about a fish I'm not familiar with. Glad to hear the move is over and you are settling in...looking forward to more reports like this one!

[Mike Pike]

Thanks for the great report and pics, Rick. Right down to the fillets!!!

 

Looks you you have some pretty good fishing right there in your backyard. Must be interesting to go after saltwater species now, eh? Probably some pretty good eatin' too.

 

Cheers!

[snag]

Nice catch,

 

Knowing what you do for a living, I'm sure it tasted fantastic!

 

Now get back to work