New Jersey · Jersey Shore
FLUKE FISHING
IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH
Point Pleasant Beach 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 Point Pleasant Beach
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 — Point Pleasant Beach
Month-by-month availability for fluke in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.
How to Catch Fluke in Point Pleasant Beach
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 Point Pleasant Beach
Top spots where local captains target fluke and other inshore species.
Manasquan Inlet
Manasquan Inlet is one of the busiest fishing inlets on the New Jersey coast, connecting the Manasquan River and Point Pleasant Canal to the Atlantic Ocean with powerful tidal currents. Striped bass, fluke, bluefish, and weakfish stack up in the inlet's deep channel and along the rock jetties during tidal transitions. The inlet serves as the primary departure point for the massive fleet of charter and party boats based in Point Pleasant Beach.
Manasquan River
The Manasquan River winds inland from the inlet through residential neighborhoods and marshland, providing miles of accessible inshore fishing for striped bass, fluke, and weakfish. The river's dock pilings, bridge abutments, and deeper bends hold fish from spring through fall, with winter offering opportunities for holdover striped bass. Bank fishing along the Manasquan River is popular with local anglers who wade or cast from public access points.
Point Pleasant Canal
Point Pleasant Canal connects the Manasquan River to the headwaters of Barnegat Bay, running through the heart of Point Pleasant with bridge pilings and bulkheads that create excellent fish-holding structure. Striped bass, fluke, bluefish, and tautog congregate in the canal's swift currents, particularly around the Route 88 bridge and railroad bridge pilings. The canal provides sheltered inshore fishing when ocean conditions prevent offshore departures.
Metedeconk River Mouth
The Metedeconk River empties into Barnegat Bay south of Point Pleasant, and its mouth area features deeper channels and grass flats that attract fluke, weakfish, and striped bass. The river mouth's mixing zone where freshwater meets brackish bay water creates a nutrient-rich environment that supports dense baitfish populations. Drifting the Metedeconk mouth with live bait during outgoing tides is a proven technique for keeper fluke.
Other Species in Point Pleasant Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Point Pleasant Beach.
Fluke Fishing in Point Pleasant Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Fluke fishing in Point Pleasant Beach are June, July, August. During these months, Fluke are most active and abundant in the Point Pleasant Beach area.
Fluke fishing charters in Point Pleasant Beach 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Porgy. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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