The fish we all crave for...

When it comes to fishing for fluke, there are a good many of us who think that we pretty much have our game in check. We have had successful days of blue skies, clean water and limit days of fluke fishing. And there's certainly nothing wrong with going out on the bay with friends or headin' outside and coming in with 20 fish or so.

But, the thing that we all have on our "Fish Wish List" is that "doormat"... the one fish of a lifetime... that elusive 10 pound plus MEGA-flatty! A lot of strategies are born and die out there with anglers who want to hook up with that big fish, and some anglers do it every year, or every other year at the least. These are the guys who are out in the back yard looking for worms when we're still asleep... the early birds. The guys who keep live, effective baits in their wells at all times, the guys who find a pod of four or five pound fish and stay there and persist. These are the guys who do it.

Strategies for the so-so fluke angler...

Typically, when that fluke of a lifetime does finally come-a-calling', an awful lot of folks I've fished beside weren't prepared; there was old monofilament that hadn't been changed in years, there was an old rusty hook that snapped in two, or other "fluke fatalities" that I've seen. I once had what looked to be a ten pounder on and had an old rusty hook snap, but not these days. Now I make sure that my rod and reel have the backbone and drag system that will not fail, firstly. After that the maintenance on that equipment is vital; a fresh water wash-down after every single trip, and an oiling at least once a month, religiously. And setting your drag is 50 percent of your battle with a line stealing doormat; he may go to the bottom three times or more before you see him. Don't panic; you're in his house, let him go where he wants. Horsing any big fish is a no-no. And, a fluke net is an absolute must. I never go on any fluke trip, whether it is in a boat or on shore, without a big, open fluke net; you'll never lip a fluke, especially a big one. Next, I like changing my braided line no less than twice a season, or three if you can afford to. Mono is o.k. and a lot of die-hards use it; but it needs to be changed often, sometimes four times a year. Braided line is the favorite of most new age anglers and learning to use it and become familiar with its knots is only going to up your game, period. With that said, we move on to the "fluke candy"... baits to attract big fluke.

The big stuff is the good stuff!

When one fishes for that one big fluke, and especially that "get up at three a.m.... go out to the ridge and toss big bucktails... money winning bruiser tournament flatty"... the baits used are various. But they all have the same purpose... big bait equals big fluke. For the most part, this is true. Live Spot and Snapper Blues have been the staple of big fluke for many years now... and there's a reason for it...Spot are gamefish "candy"! They are used as live baits for bass, weakfish, (bluefish maul them too, much to the dismay of the guy who paid for them) and BIG, BIG fluke.

However, the land lubber will have a bit of trouble fishing spot, as they die easily when they are cast from shore (the impact knocks them silly!) So, this is where those delightful snapper blues come in. They can be cast a few times since they are a bit heartier and can take a few good slaps on the water. I can't even begin to count the giant fluke I've seen come from jetties that the snapper blues have credit for attracting...the biggest of which was an epic 14 pounds and came off the same dock in Barnegat Light where I caught and saw many, many big fluke come from. So remember, the big live stuff is your ace in the hole, your equipment is your temple, and your finesse to get that fish in the net is your victory!

But there's always exceptions to the rules...

To wrap things up...as you go out in your quest to hook and land that biggest fluke of your illustrious fishing career, you should keep a few things logged in your mind: Yes, there are big fluke on structure...where there's a sunken boat, a dock or a wreck out front, there will likely be a big fluke there during the height of summer. Remember that fluke begin to search for colder water in July and August. Think BIG...BIG baits, BIG fish. So, keep a good supply of live stuff at the ready. You've GOTTA oil those reels, change your line, and toss grandpa's hook collection out (he'll understand). Keep that drag set by pulling from the rod tip, and make sure to check it each time out. A failed drag system could be deadly to your cause. A GOOD net with a sturdy long handle is ABSOLUTELY essential on a boat or in the rocks! And lastly, after all that preparation to hook and land a big flatty, the most important thing remember that nothing is etched in stone. That lifetime trophy fluke will hit when you least expect it! My "big" fluke was just a tad under 12 pounds, and it was caught on a jetty with three-eighths bucktail and a single, tiny spearing. So, go figure. But, I had my drag right, my line and hooks were fresh and a good stout net lay at my feet... "Game Over" for Mr. Doormat...good luck and successful fluking!