Temperature for Fluke

I don't really go by water temp - in fact I don't even have a water temp gauge in my boat. This is because where I fish the surface temp that a sensor would pick up bears no real relationship with the bottom water temp.

Probably for surface-feeding fish like pelagics the temp up high means something, but not for the fluke, seabass and blackfish I look for. Even into the third week of June, with air temps in the 80's, fish can frequently come aboard that feel like they've spent the night in a refrigerator.

Anyway, from what I recall, the Sound fishing from Port Jeff out towards Horton's Point typically kicked off around Memorial Day. But from what I have read, even that is nowhere near a sure thing - not the past 6 or so years. Its been a bit of a tooth-pull putting together a nice catch up there. Maybe the newly proposed 18.5" limit will help a bit.

In my area, south of JI, we used to slam the fluke on the open sand right around then as well. No more - at least not the past four or so seasons. Now the really good fishing by me doesn't get rolling until the second/third week of June, and some seasons even later. I guess if I fished up in the Bay's shallows there could be some decent fish to be found. But I'm not a fan of boat traffic, narrow channels and tons of seaweed-clogged rigs. Too frustrating.

So I don't know if that helped - probably not. But at least I gave you a "when" if not an actual temp.

Oh, one more thing - the really old-timers used to tell me that a very cold Winter was conducive toward a big sand eel population the following Spring/Summer. That actually seems to be true, based on my observations.

Last year, we fished almost exclusively from a 17 foot skiff, so bay only. Temperature where we got the bites were low 50's and up. I get what you are saying Lep but the water we fished was no more than 10 feet, and 4 in some places so water temp would probably drop a bit. Marked bait and saw bait in other parts of the bay closer to the ocean and no bites. Not very scientific, but our experience. We know of a 10+ caught in the same rip we fish by boat by a surfcaster last year. Saw the picture. Know the owner of the shop who weighed it. Heard about a few 5-7's but did not see, so discount that a little. 🙂 They are there! Did not experience seaweed issues. Some, but nothing too aggravating. Heard the same for sand eels, but last year was the first year where I could put more time into the sport. Will keep in mind.

I’ve caught them in Peconic Bay in mid April when water temp at surface was only in the low 50s and bottom was surely cooler. I think bait presence is a more critical factor here than water temp.

From mid-April until season opens I enjoy catch/release fluking from shore. Shallow water with outgoing tide is optimal. And i use Spearing on plain jighead in early season, not gulp, no teaser. Can't wait....

Good question. I always fished the back bays early. All from long beach to Merrick.

I'd rather fish early in the season and find the bite than wait and find out I should have been there last week. Some areas are warmer than others. The bay temps are never uniform.

Years ago, the PB's would fish for fluke on opening day and while the bite was slow compared to summertime the big fish were always pulled early in the season. I have seen great bites out of Mattituck the 2nd week of May. I would say the water temperature in that area is not nearly as big a factor as is the bait. When the squid and sand eels show up, the fluke are not far behind. I fished Sands Point early May for fluke once when I had my boat in Port Chester NY. My friends thought I was nuts. I came back with a nice bucket of big fluke. They were shocked when they saw them.

Years ago, the PB's would fish for fluke on opening day and while the bite was slow compared to summertime the big fish were always pulled early in the season. I have seen great bites out of Mattituck the 2nd week of May. I would say the water temperature in that area is not nearly as big a factor as is the bait. When the squid and sand eels show up, the fluke are not far behind. I fished Sands Point early May for fluke once when I had my boat in Port Chester NY. My friends thought I was nuts. I came back with a nice bucket of big fluke. They were shocked when they saw them.

This is interesting. I remember when I was younger and winter flounder had St Patty's Day as the opening. We went in April and caught fish in April. Summer flounder (fluke) I do catch fish in early May. I have noticed keepers are harder to get after the 4th of July. I mentioned that to Crazy Alberto one day. He asked his usual question: "Do you know why?"
(Alberto would tell you the answer the question but strived more for you to understand). I had no answer to his question.
He said "Squid. The big fish follow the big bait, squid."

So, when you said " I would say the water temperature in that area is not nearly as big a factor as is the bait. When the squid and sand eels show up, the fluke are not far behind." That matched what I would see. I have to look at my fishing log and see it there is a pattern.

Biggest fish always came from Shelter Island area coinciding with squid run.

Where up to 45.3 (at the surface).

They're here now, 20"er caught from Belmar dock yesterday