Recently there were additional options regarding the fluke regulations that were approved by the NJMFC and the ASMFC.  The final regulations will be set at the NJMFC meeting on March 4^th.  The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Room in the Toms River Township Office, 33 Washington Street , Toms River , NJ 08753.  This is our chance to voice our opinions on this matter whether you agree with my position or not.  Please help pass the word around that these additional options are now a possibility.  If you prefer a later start to the season that would allow us to fish later into September, while maintaining an 18” size limit and a 6 fish bag limit, please contact me at anglerpmh@aol.com or (973) 943-8201.  If you belong to a club or organization that shares our viewpoint, please let me know. Below are the reasons we support options 3 or 4.

1.) Surf casters have their best opportunity to catch keeper fluke during the fall mullet run and we have not been allowed to do so during the last couple seasons.

2) There is little else to fish for inshore or from the shore during September.  By contrast there are plenty of big stripers and blues as well as an occasional large weakfish during May and June.

3.) In recent springs there have been cold waters which are not good for fluke fishing.  Because of this the party and charter boats will likely have more customers in the fall.

4.) September is one of the best months to catch a doormat fluke. 

5.) While we realize that we have to give up about 3 days of fluking in the spring to have 2 in the fall, we are willing to do this because obviously the fishing is better later in the season.

It was not easy for me to get Options 2, 3 and 4 added to the list but I am very pleased that the NJMFC listened to my suggestions. I have always believed that the majority of fluke fishermen in our state would prefer a later start and a later end to our season while maintaining an 18" size limit. The past couple years, the only options that would have allowed us to fish further into September were those that came with a higher size limit. Now we finally have options that many of us favor on the table. Option 4 is favored by myself as well as the majority of members of the Berkeley Striper Club and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

Paul Haertel

1. 6 fish @ 18" - May 29 to September 6 - 101 days - 1% savings
2. 6 fish @ 18" - June 12 to September 13 - 93 days - 1% savings
3. 6 fish @ 18" - June 19 to September 17 - 90 days - 1% savings
4. 6 fish @ 18" - June 26 to September 21 - 88 days - 1% savings
5. 6 fish @ 18" - May 21 to August 29 - 101 days - 1% savings
6. 6 fish @ 18" - May 12 to August 22 - 103 days - 1% savings
7. 6 fish @ 18" - May 4 to August 15 - 104 days - 1% savings
8. 4 fish @ 18" - May 23 to September 6 - 107 days - 1% savings
9. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 13 to September 13 - 124 days - 1% savings
10. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 29 to September 26 - 121 days - 1% savings
11. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 21 to September 12 - 115 days - 9% savings
12. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 29 to September 17 - 112 days - 9% savings