Summer flounder

The Summer Flounder, "Paralichthys dentatus" (Linnaeus, 1766), is a flatfish and member of the left-eyed flounder family Brothidae. Occurring in the western Atlantic from Maine to South Carolina, possibly further south. They are most common to the coastal and shelf waters off of the northeast U.S. where they are commonly called Fluke. In the summer months fluke leave their winter stay in the deep ocean waters to move into the inshore waters along beaches, inlets, bays, estuaries, canals, and creeks. There are typically 10 to 14 spots on the body, but they can change the color and pattern of their dark side to match the surrounding bottom, and like most left-eyed flounders, they are also capable of rapidly burrowing into the mud or sand. The teeth are quite sharp and well developed on both upper and lower jaws. Adult fluke are highly predatory and often lay buried with only their head exposed to ambush their prey which includes baitfish, menhaden, small bluefish, porgies, squid, shrimp, and crabs. They are rapid swimmers over short distances and can become very aggressive also feeding actively at middepths, even chasing prey to the surface.

The summer flounder is often considered to be, by far, the most important flounder along the Atlantic coast as it is important to the commercial fishing industry and is also very popular for recreational fishing. Many charter boats, party boats, bait and tackle stores, and any number of businesses associated with boating and angling depend on a viable fluke fishing season. Fishing methods include drifting in a boat or casting from shore, using live or cut baits on a bottom rig and using weighted jigs tipped with strip baits. It is considered an excellent food fish with firm white meat.

References

* International Game Fish Association, Species Indentification (2003)
* The Audubon Society, Field Guide To North American Fishes (1983), "Knopf"