Fluke / Flounder
The summer Flounder, or "Fluke," is a flatfish found in coastal waters from the southern Gulf of Maine to Florida. Fluke can be found along the beaches, bays and tidal rivers and often fished fairly close to the shore. Like other species of flatfish, the fluke has both eyes on one side of its head and rests on the ocean floor on its side. The fluke is called a left handed flatfish because its eyes are on the upper surface of the head when the fish is facing left. Summer flounder are called the chameleons of the sea because of their ability to change color to match the bottom on which they are found. Generally they are white below and darker above, but they can turn various shades of gray, blue, green/orange and almost black. They feed on fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs. The fluke may weigh up to 26 pounds with a length of over 37 inches.
Fluke are some of the best tasting fish in our waters. They are a very white meat fish that flakes easily. Great care should be taken to not overcook this delicious fish.
Come on our New Jersey Party Boat, the North Star, for a Half Day Fishing Trip to catch fluke / flounder.
Scientific Terms and Additonal Information:
Family: Bothidae
Genus and Species: Paralichthys dentalus
Description: Also called summer flounder. One of the eyes in each of the flatfish species migrates over the top of the head as the larval fish matures. In the case of the fluke, the right eye moves to the left side - the upper side - of the fish. This upper side is heavily pigmented, allowing the fish to blend in when it is lying on the bottom. The right - or lower - side is white, making the fish difficult to see from lower down when it is up in the water column.
