Editor’s Log: 20 Fluking Years - The Fisherman

Editor’s Log: 20 Fluking Years

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the new “slot” options for summer flounder – or fluke – provide New Jersey anglers with the earliest start date (May 2) in over 20 years, with the latest closing (Sept. 23) since 2016.  It’s also the first time any Atlantic Coast state has implemented a slot (two fish from 17 to 17.99 inches) along with a traditional minimum size (one fish at 18 inches) for fluke.

For a little trip down memory lane, here are the annual recreational fluke limits in New Jersey from 2002 to 2021:

2002 – 16-1/2 inches, eight fish, open May 18 – Sept. 24

2003 –16-1/2 inches, eight fish, open May 3 – Oct. 13

2004 – 16-1/2 inches, eight fish, open May 8 – Oct. 11

2005 – 16-1/2 inches, eight fish, open May 7 – Oct. 10

2006 – 16-1/2 inches, eight fish, open May 6 – Oct. 9

2007 – 17 inches, eight fish, open May 26 – Sept. 10

2008 – 18 inches, eight fish, open May 24 – Sept. 7

2009 – 18 inches, six fish, open May 23 – Sept. 4

2010 – 18 inches, six fish, open May 29 – Sept.6

2011 – 18 inches, eight fish, open May 7 – Sept. 25

2012 – 17-1/2 inches, five fish, open May 5 – Sept.28

2013 – 17-1/2 inches, five fish, open May 18 – Sept. 24

2014 – 18 inches, five fish, open May 23 – Sept. 27

2015 – 18 inches, five fish, open May 22 – Sept. 26

2016 – 18 inches, five fish, open May 21 – Sept. 25

2017 – 18 inches, three fish, open May 25 – Sept. 6

2018 – 18 inches, three fish, open May 25 – Sept. 22

2019 – 17 inches, three fish, open May 24 – Sept. 21

2020 – 18 inches, three fish, open May 22 – Sept. 19

2021 – 18 inches, three fish, open May 22 – Sept. 19

For the most part, those who say “flounder” (South Jersey) seem mostly satisfied with the game-changing ’22 slot regulations, while those who fish exclusively for “fluke” (North Jersey) may have some concern heading into this week’s opening; despite an apparent north vs. south fracture in civility, it’s really more a disparity between east and west, the ocean vs. bay angler.

Of course, 2022 does boast the longest season in a decade, even if the best possible options for everyone’s satisfaction haven’t been allowed by NOAA Fisheries since the early 2000s.  Personally, I don’t have a preference for ‘22 options; that said, I wouldn’t mind a quick trip back to ‘03, when along with arguably the best summer flounder limits we also saw striped bass fishing that was off the charts, a 306-day season and 12-inch size limit on black sea bass, and pre-Facebook civility and discourse during in-person fisheries meetings.

Ahhh, the fluking good ol’ days!

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