Non-native baits such as whole smelt or salmon bellies are also dead-on offerings. Perilli cuts his strip bait in a 7- to 10-inch piece, with a 3/4- inch taper at the top, widening out to 1 inch through the middle and tapered to a point at the end. The hook is pierced through the tip of the strip bait, white side down, about a 1/4- inch down to allow for the most swagger and action.

“Flat-out, that strip has to be fluttering fiercely. And the one-hook setup will allow the strip to work its magic unhindered,” said Capt. Perilli. But other captains employ a two-hook, or tandem rig. I’ve personally witnessed Perilli trick up an impressive catch of 5- to 8-pound fluke at the Manasquan Ridge using this technique.

JERSEY REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
The history of Jersey fluke management -- and for that matter, recreational management in general -- is a volatile one at that. Regulations usually change from year to year, depending on scientific data gathered by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). As things stand today, the commercial sector is allowed 60 percent of the catch, and the recreational sector 40 percent.

Commercial fishermen can keep 14-inch fish legally, whereas the minimum for recreational anglers is 16.5 inches. Many recreational anglers feel penalized for no solid reason, and must release literally thousands of tons of fish that the commercial fishermen can keep.

Each year, the regulations seem to become more stringent against recreational interests. It’s not so much a recreational-versus-commercial issue as it is the NMFS’s adopting fair and sensible scientific guidelines and regulations for both parties. As it stands today, the recreational regulations call for an eight-fish bag limit at a 16.5-inch minimum, with the season running from May 6 to October 9.

DIAL ‘EM IN
Each year, you hear of some serious-sized flatties hitting the decks. Last year, a few 16-plus-pound fluke were taken in New Jersey, leaving the dream that someone may pull in a summer flounder big enough to break the state record, or even the world record! Each morning you wake up to bounce around for flatties, remember that today could be the day.

Check out these spots and utilize some of these tactics. If you do, you’ll be on your way to experiencing some of New Jersey’s finest fluke fishing!