Forum/General Discussion/Thoughts on Keeping or Releasing Big Fluke

Thoughts on Keeping or Releasing Big Fluke

2,211 views·14 replies·by NoFlukenName
N
Curious why the knowledgeable folks here think on this. If you catch a 10 pound fluke,, are you keeping or releasing?

Now that I’m older and moderately wiser, I generally release all big fluke with the exception of a tournament. With fluke, almost all the bigger fish are female and I prefer to let the bigger breeders go (8 pounds and up). Snap a pic and send her on her merry way. Smaller ones taste better anyway (at least to me).

I’m not judging or looking down on anyone who keeps big fluke like that. Hey, it’s perfectly legal and there‘s no slot limit for fluke like we have for bass now......just curious what everyone’s opinion here is....
MateOriginal Crew137 postsSince 2019
BennyV
BennyVFREE2020#2
Curious why the knowledgeable folks here think on this. If you catch a 10 pound fluke,, are you keeping or releasing?

Now that I’m older and moderately wiser, I generally release all big fluke with the exception of a tournament. With fluke, almost all the bigger fish are female and I prefer to let the bigger breeders go (8 pounds and up). Snap a pic and send her on her merry way. Smaller ones taste better anyway (at least to me).

I’m not judging or looking down on anyone who keeps big fluke like that. Hey, it’s perfectly legal and there‘s no slot limit for fluke like we have for bass now......just curious what everyone’s opinion here is....
If I’m gonna eat it I’ll keep it. If not toss it back. Take a few pics and quick weight/measurement.

I’ve spent too many days watching people annihilate fish on PBs then ask around at the end of the day if anyone wants them. Countless bluefish trips I worked as a kid.

The way I think of it is I could’ve used those fish on other days when the bite sucked.
CommodoreOriginal Crew5,665 postsSince 2018
T
tjd2320FREE2020#3
All large fluke are female. Fluke Growth Charts show that male fluke rarely reach more than 6 lbs.
Personally, if I'm not in a tournament, all fluke over 6 lbs are released. Catch-Photo-Release.
Mate108 postsSince 2020
BoatGuy
BoatGuyFREE2020#4
All large fluke are female. Fluke Growth Charts show that male fluke rarely reach more than 6 lbs.
Personally, if I'm not in a tournament, all fluke over 6 lbs are released. Catch-Photo-Release.


I have never read that about fluke. Where did you read that? not to hijack this thread, but what other species beside fluke and striped bass does this apply to? Do you have a reference of fluke growth charts? I like to read it.
First MateOriginal Crew780 postsSince 2019
T
tjd2320FREE2020#5
There are several charts online that record Age/Length/Weight/Gender estimates of various species.
If I were more computer savvy, I'd post them here.
Mate108 postsSince 2020
BoatGuy
BoatGuyFREE2020#6
Post the links and someone here will be able to post them.
First MateOriginal Crew780 postsSince 2019
Fluke Whisperer
My thoughts, it's a judgement call, keeping legal fish of any species is up to the person who caught the fish, I personally will release fluke of 10lbs or more, I release a lot of fish be it Bass, Blues, tog etc. that are legal to keep, even offshore species.
I believe in keeping the stocks healthy.
Again, it's a judgement call
First MateOriginal Crew508 postsSince 2019
pequa1
pequa1MOD2020#8
I have never read that about fluke. Where did you read that? not to hijack this thread, but what other species beside fluke and striped bass does this apply to? Do you have a reference of fluke growth charts? I like to read it.
Not as extreme for weakfish, but girls are bigger than boys. Skip to page 6. https://home.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/upload/SecureTRT-668.pdf
and this
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,027 postsSince 2018
Occh639
Occh639FREE2020#9
I hope one day I am faced with that predicament ?
MateOriginal Crew241 postsSince 2019
pequa1
pequa1MOD2020#10
I eat fish. 'Nuff said.
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,027 postsSince 2018
hartattack
Length Average. . . . . . . weight in pounds
15-16 inches . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 1¼
17-18 inches . . . . . . . . . . . 2 to 2¾
20 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 to 3½
22 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
24 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
27 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
30 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
37 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

A doormat must be at least 10 pounds; these are only FEMALES and are generally 10 years old or more. Nearly all Fluke over 5 pounds are females
First MateOriginal Crew282 postsSince 2018
george
georgeADMIN2020#12
There are plenty of times I release a fish over 4-5 pounds. But I'm keeping the fist 10 I catch. My largest to date is 8/12 and I really want that 10-pounder. I wanted a 50-pound striper and now I can't even fish for them. If we're talking about what would be best for the fishery, I'm thinking a bigger than 14-inch minimum on a commercial might be a good place to start.
CommodoreOriginal Crew5,158 postsSince 2018
Rick67
Rick67FREE2020#13
Everything goes back over here.
CommodoreOriginal Crew6,088 postsSince 2019
Occh639
Occh639FREE2020#14
Length Average. . . . . . . weight in pounds
15-16 inches . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 1¼
17-18 inches . . . . . . . . . . . 2 to 2¾
20 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 to 3½
22 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
24 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
27 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
30 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
37 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

A doormat must be at least 10 pounds; these are only FEMALES and are generally 10 years old or more. Nearly all Fluke over 5 pounds are females

what if I have a small door opening ,wouldnt a smaller doormat suffice ?
MateOriginal Crew241 postsSince 2019
pequa1
pequa1MOD2020#15
Legal- Its dinner
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,027 postsSince 2018

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