Anglers Advised to Embrace Early Fluke Season Challenges

New Jersey's summer flounder season kicks off on May 4th, offering opportunities for big catches despite tough conditions.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 5:12am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a fluke fish and fishing scene, with sharp angles and planes of color representing the complex and nuanced nature of early-season fluke fishing.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the challenge and excitement of early-season fluke fishing in the back bays.NYC Today

As spring unfolds along the New Jersey coast, summer flounder or 'fluke' make their annual migration back to the inshore waters. The official start of fluke season on May 4th marks an exciting yet challenging time for anglers, as the back bays are often crowded, the water is murky and cold, and baitfish are scarce. However, the author advises that those willing to adapt and embrace the finesse required can be rewarded with spectacular early-season fluke catches.

Why it matters

Early-season fluke fishing in the back bays requires anglers to use a more delicate, finesse-based approach to target the big, hungry fluke that have just arrived from offshore. While the conditions can be tough, mastering the techniques outlined in this article can lead to catching personal best fluke during this underutilized time of year.

The details

The author recommends using a 7-foot, 2-inch spinning rod paired with a 2500 or 3000 size reel spooled with 15-pound braid and a 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. For bait, the author has found success using Gulp Jerk Shad and other Gulp soft plastics in 4- to 6-inch sizes, either fished on a teaser rig or a single jighead. The key is using a slow, deliberate jigging cadence to entice strikes from the less aggressive early-season fluke.

  • New Jersey's summer flounder season kicks off on Monday, May 4th.
  • In Delaware, summer flounder season is open all year, with a 16-inch minimum size and four-fish bag limit through May 31, with the size limit increasing to 17.5 inches from June 1 through December 31.
  • In New York, there's a three-fish bag limit all season, with a 19-inch minimum size from May 4 through August 1, changing over to a 19.5-inch size limit from August 2 through October 15.

The players

Tsunami SaltX II Inshore Rod

A 7-foot, 2-inch spinning rod with a Medium or Medium Light action that the author finds ideal for finesse fluke fishing in the back bays.

Tsunami Shield II Reel

A 2500 or 3000 size spinning reel that the author recommends pairing with the Tsunami rod for its light weight, smoothness, and power.

Gulp Jerk Shad

A 6-inch soft plastic bait that the author found to be a top producer for big fluke last season, also using 5-inch Jerk Shads and 4-inch Swimming Mullet Gulp baits.

Tsunami SaltX Jig Head

A quality jighead with a sleek design that the author prefers for the single jig method, allowing the Gulp bait to move naturally and attract aggressive strikes.

Pedro Ildefonso

The author of the article, who is a Tsunami Brand Ambassador and can be found fishing with his family on social media via their KEPTI Fishing pages.

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What they’re saying

“For those willing to adapt and embrace the challenge, the rewards can be spectacular.”

— Pedro Ildefonso, Author

“The key is confidence; choose a rod that feels right in your hands.”

— Pedro Ildefonso, Author

“For back bay fishing, stick with lighter jigheads, like quarter-ounce, 3/8, up to a half-ounce. The lighter the jig, the more action you'll get.”

— Pedro Ildefonso, Author

What’s next

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The takeaway

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