Rainbow Channel
Rainbow Channel in Somers Point derives its name from its rainbow-like arc as it cuts through the sod banks. The channel is constantly finding its way as the southernmost of three consecutive channels, including Elbow and Ships channels, and is considered the most prolific flatfish factory out of the three. Waters run from 3 to 20 feet, and fluke from 1 to 14 pounds have been taken from its reaches in the last year.

Manasquan River
Flatfish will hide along the Intracoastal Waterway ledges from the Manasquan Inlet, through the state Route (SR) 35 Bridge, down past Treasure Island and west to the SR 70 Bridge, roughly three miles inland.

Many tidal fluke will hang on the flats outside the channel markers, and 2- to 4-foot depths are not uncommon holding grounds for 4- to 7-pound fluke during the summertime months. Drift from one channel edge to the other, covering the pit of the deep channel to find where the fluke are lying.

When using large 5- to 10-inch strip baits, such as bluefish, sea robin or mackerel, rig up the same fish finder slider rig and let the strip bait undulate back in the current in free spool.

Raritan Bay
Romer Shoal in Raritan Bay tends to be one of the most prolific action spots for fluke lovers, especially south of the shoal where the water ranges from 6 to 8 feet. These shallow grounds produce some of the finest flatfish the bay area has to offer. Outgoing tides produce nicely here, because the warmer backwaters of Raritan Bay are spilling out and bringing the fluke with them.

Flynns Knoll, just south of Romer Shoal, is bordered by the Sandy Hook Channel on its south side, the Chapel Hill Channel on its west side and the Ambrose Channel on its north side. Though all the surrounding channels bring baitfish in and out with the tides, the northwest corner of the Knoll harbors shallower waters from 9 to 11 feet at low tide.

Flat out, you’ve got flatties waiting for you in Jersey’s backwaters. And I’m not just talking about those tip-benders that are pretty to look at, but not big enough to keep.

This is where you want to set up for fluke, a bit out of the ripping currents that the channels create around you, into the calmer water.

Delaware Bay
The Pin Top is thin, elongated lump, about 100 feet in diameter--not very big. Yet it’s surrounded by a mess of sloughs and gullies, which run between 30 and 36 feet deep. The Pin Top itself is the spot that comes up to 16 feet at its pinnacle on the south end. On the southeast side, a deep slough cuts across near buoy 16, marking the entrance to Flounder Alley, and on the west side is the shipping channel.

Both sloughs will hold doormats throughout the summer months.

Hawks Nest Shoal
The Hawks Nest Shoal is basically a long, skinny oval hump that lies approximately 14 miles northwest of the Cape May Canal inlet. The appeal of the shoal is not only the dramatic dropoffs around it, but also the myriad of structures surrounding the area.

The east edge of Hawks Nest drops from 9 to 16 to 24 feet in a blink of an eye, providing excellent ledges for large flatties. The shoal is also bordered by Cedar Brush Hole on one side. A few wrecks and Reef Site No. 4 are all within close proximity at the shoal’s southeast corner.

Flat out, you’ve got flatties waiting for you in Jersey’s backwaters. And I’m not just talking about those tip-benders that are pretty to look at, but not big enough to keep.

If you play your game plan correctly, you’re not only looking at plenty of fillets, but you can claim a doormat on any given day -- as I almost did last year when I caught and released an 8.75-pound fluke from Ludlam Bay, only six hours before the official start of the season!

When the technique and know-how is dialed in, you can leave the parade of ocean-going fluke enthusiasts to waste gas rushing to the outside. All the while, you can sit comfortably inside the back channels and flats to pull on a constant flatfish feast. Back-bay fluking is taking the angling community by storm, and now here’s your shot at the game.