How to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)

Paralichthys dentatus

Also known as summer flounder, doormat.

Fluke are ambush-feeding flatfish that lie on sandy bottom, a staple summer target for bay and nearshore anglers along the US East Coast.

Where to find them

Sandy and mixed bottom in bays, inlets, and nearshore

Season

Late spring through early fall

Best baits & lures for Fluke (Summer Flounder)

bucktails tipped with Gulpsquid stripsspearing/minnow combos

Drift over sand and structure edges, bouncing a bucktail along the bottom. The biggest fluke often hold near structure and drop-offs.

Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Fluke (Summer Flounder) when conditions line up.

Where to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)

Catching Fluke (Summer Flounder): FAQ

What's the best bait for Fluke (Summer Flounder)?

Proven options include bucktails tipped with Gulp, squid strips, spearing/minnow combos. Drift over sand and structure edges, bouncing a bucktail along the bottom. The biggest fluke often hold near structure and drop-offs.

When is the best time to catch Fluke (Summer Flounder)?

Late spring through early fall. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.

Where do you find Fluke (Summer Flounder)?

Look for Sandy and mixed bottom in bays, inlets, and nearshore. Anglers target them at spots like Montauk, Cape Cod, Rockaway.

Time your next Fluke (Summer Flounder) trip

Free live conditions, Bite Score, and what's biting now.

Open Baitful →