New York · Long Island
FLUKE FISHING
IN FIRE ISLAND
Fire Island is a solid destination for fluke fishing, with good fishing in June, July, August. Book a charter and target fluke with local experts.
About Fluke Fishing in Fire Island
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 — Fire Island
Month-by-month availability for fluke in Fire Island, NY.
How to Catch Fluke in Fire Island
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 Fire Island
Top spots where local captains target fluke and other inshore species.
Great South Bay
Great South Bay is the primary inshore fishery for Fire Island, a large shallow estuary stretching between the barrier island and the Long Island mainland with extensive hard clam beds and eelgrass meadows. Fluke, striped bass, weakfish, and bluefish patrol the bay's channels and flats from spring through fall, with the bay's vast size supporting a tremendous baitfish population. Drifting the bay's deeper channels and working the edges of the clam beds produces consistent catches of keeper fluke.
Fire Island Inlet
Fire Island Inlet connects Great South Bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the western end of Fire Island, with powerful tidal currents that funnel baitfish and gamefish through the channel. Striped bass, fluke, bluefish, and weakfish stack up along the inlet's jetties and channel edges during tidal transitions, feeding aggressively on the concentrated bait. The inlet is the primary ocean access point for boats departing from the bay-side communities along Fire Island.
Bellport Bay
Bellport Bay is a wide, shallow section of the Great South Bay behind the eastern portion of Fire Island, featuring sand flats, eelgrass beds, and deeper channels that hold fluke, striped bass, and weakfish. The bay's clear, shallow waters provide sight-fishing opportunities for fluke on calm mornings when the bottom is visible. The Bellport Bay area is accessible from multiple mainland marinas and public boat ramps along the Long Island shore.
Nicoll Bay
Nicoll Bay is a protected inshore area near the William Floyd Parkway bridge access to Fire Island, where tidal creeks and marsh edges create sheltered habitat for fluke, striped bass, and bluefish. The bay's bridge pilings and adjacent channel provide fish-holding structure in the otherwise shallow estuary. Small boats and kayak anglers work Nicoll Bay for accessible inshore fishing without making the run through the inlet to open ocean.
Other Species in Fire Island
More fish you can target while visiting Fire Island.
Fluke Fishing in Fire Island — FAQ
Fluke fishing in Fire Island is productive during June, July, August.
Fluke fishing charters in Fire Island 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 Fire Island, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Fluke regulations in New York 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 Fire Island, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Tautog, Porgy. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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