New Jersey · Jersey Shore
FLUKE FISHING
IN CAPE MAY
Cape May is an excellent destination for fluke fishing, with peak season in June, July, August and good catches in May, September. Book a charter and target fluke with local experts.
About Fluke Fishing in Cape May
Also called Summer Flounder, fluke are prized flatfish found from the Carolinas to Massachusetts. Distinguished from Gulf flounder by their larger size and left-facing orientation, fluke are ambush predators that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms near structure.
Fluke — properly called Summer Flounder — are the premier flatfish of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Distinguished from Gulf/Southern Flounder by their larger size, left-facing orientation (both eyes on the left side), and distinct spot patterns with 5 large ocelli (eye spots) on the upper body. Fluke are ambush predators that lie buried in sand with only their eyes exposed, launching upward to grab prey. Their camouflage ability is remarkable — they can change color to match the bottom within minutes. Excellent table fare with sweet, firm white flesh.
Scientific name: Paralichthys dentatus
Fluke Seasonal Calendar — Cape May
Month-by-month availability for fluke in Cape May, NJ.
How to Catch Fluke in Cape May
Techniques & Bait
Drifting with bucktails (white, chartreuse, or pink) tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or Gulp! Swimming Mullet along sandy bottom in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. "Fluke rigs" (a sliding sinker rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wide-gap hook) baited with a live minnow and strip bait combination is deadly. Drifting over structure transitions — where sand meets rocks, mud, or wrecks — concentrates fish. Slow your drift with a drift sock for better bottom contact.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning rod (6'6"-7 ft), 3000-4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, bucktail jigs (1/2-2 oz depending on depth/current), wide-gap hooks (3/0-5/0).
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Cape May
Top spots where local captains target fluke and other inshore species.
Cape May Harbor Back Bays
The back bays behind Cape May Harbor are a maze of tidal channels, marsh islands, and grass flats that hold striped bass, weakfish, and flounder throughout the season. These sheltered waters warm quickly in spring, drawing the first waves of migrating gamefish into the estuary. Drifting bucktails and live bait along the channel edges on outgoing tides produces consistent catches from May through November.
Cape May Canal
The Cape May Canal connects Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, funneling powerful tidal currents through a narrow man-made waterway that concentrates baitfish and predators. Striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and flounder stack up along the canal's bulkheads and bridge pilings during tidal changes. Night fishing under the canal's bridge lights is a local tradition that produces trophy-sized striped bass during the fall run.
Jarvis Sound
Jarvis Sound lies between the Wildwood barrier islands and the mainland, providing a vast expanse of shallow inshore water laced with tidal creeks and marsh edges. Flounder, weakfish, and striped bass feed across the sound's grass beds and along oyster-studded shorelines from spring through fall. The sound's protected waters offer excellent light-tackle fishing on days when ocean conditions are too rough for open-water trips.
Delaware Bay Flats (Cape May Side)
The Delaware Bay flats along the Cape May shoreline feature shallow sand and grass bottom that attracts massive schools of weakfish, striped bass, and flounder during seasonal migrations. The annual horseshoe crab spawn in May and June draws enormous concentrations of baitfish, triggering a feeding frenzy among predators along the bay beaches. Wading anglers cast to cruising stripers along the bay shore during some of the East Coast's best spring fishing.
Other Species in Cape May
More fish you can target while visiting Cape May.
Fluke Fishing in Cape May — FAQ
The peak months for Fluke fishing in Cape May are June, July, August. During these months, Fluke are most active and abundant in the Cape May area.
Fluke fishing charters in Cape May are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Drifting with bucktails (white, chartreuse, or pink) tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or Gulp! Swimming Mullet along sandy bottom in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. "Fluke rigs" (a sliding sinker rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wide-gap hook) baited with a live minnow and strip bait combination is deadly. Drifting over structure transitions — where sand meets rocks, mud, or wrecks — concentrates fish. Slow your drift with a drift sock for better bottom contact.
No — when you book a charter in Cape May, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Fluke regulations in New Jersey include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Fluke in Cape May, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, False Albacore. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Fluke in Cape May?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your fluke fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes