Wanna catch big flounder? Check out some of these baits
It’s the middle of the Winter and you’re thinking about fishing! So are we. So here is something to think about as we wait for the thaw…
There are probably more people on the Northeast Coast fishing for fluke (summer flounder) than any other species of inshore fish. If you doubt this, just go fishing on any bay or inshore grounds from Long Island Sound down to Virginia. Just about eight out of ten boats are most likely fishing for fluke. How many of those boats do you think are catching fish with any real consistency?The only way you can increase your odds of consistently catching fluke is by exploring different baits, and understanding how to catch and preserve the baits. The ones described below have worked extremely well for me. Hopefully, they will work as well for you.
We have all started out by buying that quart of killies. We thought we were set for a day’s worth of fishing (we probable were), but things have changed. Maybe the fish are getting smarter or pickier, but for whatever reason, fluke don’t always respond to killies like they used to. In past years, killies have not always been the best bait to use. This has made me experiment with other baits over the years.
Your basic killie bait will catch fluke, but just think that most fluke are caught where killies don’t usually live. How many times have you cleaned fluke and found killies in their stomach? Out of the countless fluke I’ve caught over the years, I can honestly say just a handful of fluke that I’ve cleaned had them, and they were probably my own bait. What I often do find in fluke’s stomach is grass shrimp, spearing, sand eels, small soft shell crabs, and smallhole squids. There are more baits (such as strip baits) that work extremely well. Just keep in mind that fluke, although they look like winter flounder, have the personality of a lazy bluefish who doesn’t care to leave the safety of bottom, but likes to eat like one.
When attempting to catch baits, tools and techniques are critical to success. For a small investment, nets will pay for themselves many times over. There are killie traps, umbrella nets, cast nets or drag nets, but the drag net is the most versatile. I’ve found that a 20 to 30-foot net is the best. However, it requires that two people get into the water. With the drag net, all it takes is a couple of passes, and you will have more than enough bait (and a variety of bait) for a day’s fishing. The umbrella net requires bait in the center and fairly quiet water from a dock, bulkhead or pier. The killie trap works very well, but it requires time. I keep it in the water by my dock. Sometimes I don’t put in any bait in it, and overnight, I will have a trap full of bait. I’m not sure why this happens; the killies must hold a meeting in the trap, and they can’t figure how to get out.
Those that have fished for fluke probably know that the squid and killie combination works, so lets discuss alternate baits. Just remember, fluke will eat just about any thing that swims. The one problem that fluke have is that their mouths aren’t as big as a bass or weakfish. This is why fluke always seem to have the bait by the tail. This is also the reason why the drop back and trailer hook are so important; be sure to give fluke time to work their way up the bait to the hook.
Some alternate baits can be prepared in advance, so all you’ll have to do is take a plastic container out of the freezer and go fishing. The main ingredient for all cut baits that you want to preserve is kosher salt (not table salt). The key to good preserved baits is to cut them up into strip sizes, put them in a plastic container, add plenty of kosher salt so it covers your baits, and shake. Baits prepared like this will last forever. Just keep adding salt to cut baits during the fishing season. All your baits can be in one container. Just don’t put baits in a plastic bag and throw them into the freezer; they will turn to mush, and you’ll only get one use out of them at best.
Sand shark belly
This is one of those baits that runs hot and cold, mostly hot. I have had days when this bait will out fish everything, and days when fluke won’t touch it. Cut the strips from the white belly. Sand shark belly is a very tough bait and can catch a half dozen fish before it has to be replaced. It also works extremely well behind a small white bucktail that is hopping along the bottom.
Bluefish belly
After a morning of catching bluefish, cut the bellies off the fish you decided to keep, cut them into strips, and put them in a kosher salt container. This works great on a standard fluke rig or bucktail.
Squid
Squid is a good bait to use in combination with killies or spearing. Small whole squid can be used for larger fluke; just make sure it’s what I call local squid. It should come from the Northeast Coast; California squid just doesn’t cut it, especially if you are going for weakfish.
Killies
Killies are the good old standby, but they are much better when combined with squid strips. If the bait is small (which they always seem to be), just put two or three on the hook at once.
Sand eels
If there is one bait that really stands out, it would have to be fresh sand eels. They never fail to produce. If they are large, use them on double rigged hooks. If the baits are small, use two or three at the same time.
Spearing
Spearing are also on the top of my list because when I clean fluke, that’s what they have in their stomach most of the time. Buy or catch your own spearing, catching your own gives you a superior bait. If you have a live well on the boat, you can keep a few dozen of the largest ones alive. Rig the live ones on a number 1 hook with a 4-foot, 30-pound leader, connected to a three-way swivel with just enough weight to hold bottom. Hook the spearing lightly through the mouth, and cast gently or lower it; it’s important not to kill the bait. Remember, spearing spoil very fast, so keep them out of the sun or on ice in a plastic bag; they will stay much firmer. Only take out what you intend on using in the next five minutes.
Bunker/herring
Small, live bunker or herring, up to about 4 inches, are best up; they flash like silver dollars and attract fish from a long distance. The only way you can get them is to use the drag net or a cast net. Just hook them through the lips on a standard fluke rig. They can be fished dead or alive.
Smelt
You can buy these in the supermarket. Be sure to buy the ones with the heads and tails, not the cleaned ones. They make a good ocean bait for the bigger fluke. Use a tandem hook rig since these baits have a tendency to be soft when they defrost. The best way to keep smelt pliable is to buy them in advance, defrost them and salt them; they will hold up much better. One small problem with smelt is that bluefish love them.
Finger mullet
Mullet are found in the muddier water of the bays for most of the summer. You’ll have to learn how to use a cast net. Be able to judge where to throw the cast net, which should be in front of the school. Mullet swim extremely fast and can out swim a falling net, so plan your throw (hint: wear polarized sunglasses – this is the only way you will see where the mullet school begins). You may not see the mullet, so look at in the direction the water is moving and plan to throw the net on the front of the moving school. Mullet are very strong fish and can jump straight up, so when you put them in a pail, make sure you cover it, or you will wonder why they all disappeared. I found this out the hard way.
Bonito/false albacore
These fish are great belly strip baits. The bonito make for excellent eating, so save all those bellies and kosher salt them. Unless you plan on eating false albacore, I would release all of the ones you catch because they are an excellent game fish, and it would be a shame to kill them just for bait. If you catch some and they are bleeding from the gills, keep them; treat them just like bonito strips.
Snappers
Remember that they count as bluefish, so watch how many you have. Small snappers up to six inches make excellent large fluke bait (weakfish also like them). You will have to keep them alive either in a live well or bucket by constantly changing the water. Hook them in only the lower lip, or they will drown. Use a 4/0 wide gap hook, and give the fluke time to mouth it. This bait works better in the inlets and along the beaches.
Sand or grass shrimp
Fluke always seam to be stuffed with them. You will need lighter hooks and lines, and put a few on the hook at once. They work best in early season when there are no small baits except spearing. With all the weakfish around during the past few seasons, you will most likely catch them as well.
Fluke strips
If you decide to sacrifice a fluke, it must be a keeper; it also counts towards your limit. Keep the filleted fish in case you get stopped. When fishing a fluke strip, some people swear by the white side, and others fish the dark side. I have not seen any difference. It’s more important to cut nice, long, clean strips.
Sea robbins
We’ve all read what a great bait this is, but I have never had any great success with this bait by itself. However, when combined with killies or spearing, it makes a good bait. I feel this bait smells too clean (as opposed to bluefish, bonito or mackerel), and smell is extremely important.
Mackerel
Between getting the boat ready and yard work, I never seem to have time to go mackerel fishing in the spring, so I always wind up at the fish store buying a half-dozen. Cut the belly into strips, fillet the rest of the fish, and cut some of the flesh away (or they are too thick). Cut into strips, this bait must be salted because it’s too soft and falls off the hooks too easily
There you have it, 16 different fluke baits to choose from. And you thought that killies, squid and spearing were the only things that fluke ate. These baits at any given time work very well and will always save the day. Try to use most of the long strip baits on a two-hook setup, tied in tandem. The reason for the tandem setup is that fluke are notorious for grabbing the tail end of long baits. Just give the fish a few seconds, and then set the hook. There are days when all my fluke are caught only on the tail hook. It sure pays to tie a few rigs with tail hooks, especially for kids or novice anglers on board because they will have an increased hook up. As for live baits where the tail hook would hinder their swimming, don’t use it; use a number 1 or 3/0 hook, depending on the size of the bait. You’ll also find with wide-gap hooks that there is a higher hook up ratio and much less gut hooking fish.
Most of these baits work very well on small bucktails. You can use any color (as long as it’s white). Bounce it along the bottom. If you haven’t had a hit in a while, reel in and check your baits, regardless of whether it’s a lure or bottom rig. A very small amount of weeds or dirt will make the lure useless. It’s important to always have clean baits, so don’t take this for granted like most people do. I have to constantly remind people fishing on my boat to check for weeds and take off of all weeds, no matter how small they seem to be. Also, when the killies or spearing are small, put two or three on the hook at once.
As you can see, there are quite a number of baits and little tricks that you can make use of. I’m sure you can come up with a few more depending where you live and the type of bait that are in your area. As I’ve mentioned, some baits just seem to work better than other baits on any given day. That’s why you should never go fishing with just one type of bait. I’ve given up on trying to figure out why shark belly strips are fantastic bait one day, and the next day the fish won’t touch it. That’s why you should always take a variety, and by kosher salting baits, you will always have a supply ready to go on a moment’s notice.
We have really just touched on a number of different baits and methods you can use when fluking. I believe fluke are opportunist feeders; they are constantly full of whatever bait is prevalent. They’re just like my daughter Desiree’s dog – she’ll eat anything as long as it won’t eat her first (and it’s not dog food). Just remember, when the fish seem to have a case of lockjaw, just try changing bait or tactics; sometimes the insignificant things make all the difference.
