A look at the fun, tactics, and tackle behind Long Island’s popular party boat fluke fishery.
Fluke season opened on May 4 this year, and anglers hit the water in force. In my opinion, fluke may be the most sought-after fish in our area, although some would argue that striped bass holds the top spot. If you polled local anglers, however, I still believe fluke might come out on top. Head out to any of our bays or inlets on a day in June and you’ll see hundreds of private boaters, along with a large fleet of high-capacity party boats. Some of these boats even run two or three trips a day targeting fluke.
Party boat fluke fishing can be fun and rewarding for anglers of all ages. Take a kid on a party boat and they may catch their first-ever fish, or they may spend the entire day chasing their siblings and other anglers around the boat with a spearing! Either way, it will be a memorable day on the water. On the other hand, there are families and groups of friends who simply want to enjoy calm seas and sunny weather, both of which are often part of the party boat experience. Lastly, there’s the “meat” angler who wants to bring home a few fillets for dinner. No matter how you look at it, fluke fishing is a staple on Long Island, and thousands of anglers hop aboard party boats every season from opening day until the season closes.
Is There A Best Spot?
There are a lot of “spots” on a party boat, but is one really better than another? Over the years, I have fished virtually every area of a party boat while targeting fluke. Personally, I prefer the front half of the boat near the bow. Some anglers want to be right on the bow, but I like being four to six spots back. I also know anglers who prefer the middle of the boat, while others insist on fishing the stern regardless of the targeted species.
I recently spoke with well-known and respected Capt. Ken Higgins of the “Laura Lee Fleet.” Ken has been plying these waters for as long as I can remember, and I’m getting old, so that’s saying something. Capt. Ken feels the bow and stern are your best options. However, if you prefer to simply drop your line straight down and bounce a bucktail or bait, these areas may not benefit you as much. From the captain’s standpoint, anglers fishing the bow and stern tend to cast away from the boat and usually do better by working their bait or Gulp back toward the vessel. Another advantage to casting out is that it helps keep your line away from tangles while also keeping the bait moving naturally. It’s much easier to do this when you don’t have anglers packed tightly around you.
Tips To Score
Party boat anglers generally want one of two things: a big doormat fluke or steady action with lots of fish, whether they’re keepers or shorts. Personally, the giant fluke has never mattered much to me. I’m the kind of angler who simply wants to fight fish after fish all day long.
| TIPS FOR WINNING THE BOAT POOL |
| Winning the pool on a party boat often comes down to small details. Get to the rail early for a productive spot, listen closely to the captain and mates, and always fish with fresh bait and sharp hooks. Matching your sinker weight to the drift will help keep your bait in the strike zone and reduce tangles. Stay alert during drift changes, as many pool-winning fish are caught right after the boat resets on fresh structure. Sometimes fishing slightly away from the crowd can also produce the lone heavyweight needed to take home the pool money. |
In talking with Capt. Walter of the “Fishfinder II,” I picked up a few helpful tips. For early-season bay fluking, Capt. Walter recommends a light-action 6-foot 6-inch to 7-foot spinning rod paired with a 2500-size spinning reel. He suggests spooling up with 8 to 10-pound braid and using a fluorocarbon leader. On the terminal end, a Spro bucktail from 1/4 to 3/4 ounces tipped with Gulp is often the ticket. Ball head jigs paired with Gulp also work well. While many anglers like to fish teasers, Capt. Walter feels they can take away from the natural action of the bucktail, so he generally avoids using them.
When moving out to the ocean, all you really need to do is upsize your tackle slightly. The rod and reel can remain the same, but line should be increased to 10 to 15-pound braid with a 15 to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. The bucktail and Gulp combo should also be increased to the 1- to 3-ounce range. For bait fishermen, a conventional setup loaded with 20-pound braid and 30-pound fluorocarbon leader works well. On the terminal end, a 4/0 to 6/0 baitholder hook is ideal for both slow and fast drifts. Most anglers rig this with a standard 39-inch leader and a sinker positioned below the hooks.
Flat Out Fun
| EARNING RESPECT AT THE RAIL |
| Good party boat etiquette can make a big difference in how enjoyable and productive a fluke trip becomes. Keeping your gear organized and limiting the amount of tackle at your feet helps avoid tangles and crowded conditions along the rail. When a fish runs down the boat, moving with it quickly and communicating with nearby anglers can prevent crossed lines and lost fish. Listening to the mates and following the captain’s instructions is also important, especially during heavy drifts or crowded trips. A little patience and courtesy go a long way on a party boat, and anglers who work well with the crew and others at the rail usually end up having the best overall experience. |
On the Captain Gillen, Capt. Patrick feels the most important aspect of party boat fluke fishing is simply having fun. Whether you’re 6 or 60 years old, catching a pile of fluke — keepers or shorts — is a blast. Kids may spend half the trip chasing one another around with bait, but watching a youngster catch a crab for the first time can be just as entertaining. Often they have no idea what to do, but sharp mates are always nearby to keep little fingers away from pinching claws.
Party boat fluke fishing remains a Long Island staple, with boats sailing from nearly every port daily, twice daily, and in some cases even three times a day during peak season. Most trips target waters inside the bays or close to shore along the Sound. The action is usually steady, with plenty of fish caught on most outings. This year, make sure to grab the kids — and maybe even Grandpa — and spend a day aboard one of Long Island’s great party boats.
