I literally have squid strips stuck to my backpack and Gulp! Juice stains on my shirt as I write this, reason being I just stepped off the deck of the 90 foot party boat Gambler in Point Pleasant www.gamblerfishing.net from a half day fluke trip.

A beauty 7.5-pound flatback took the pool and plenty of others were hoisted over the rails. Party boat fluke fishing is an absolute staple in summer shore fishing as it offers easy and quick access to the fluke grounds for an affordable nominal fee.

Trips usually run twice a day from 8 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 6:30 PM and party boat fleets can be found from Raritan Bay down through Delaware Bay so the Jersey scene is covered from tip to tip, and nearly every other fluke-friendly state will also have the summer fleet targeting fluke. To make a party boat fluke trip successful and comfortable, certain gear must be brought. A standard conventional rod such as a Lamiglas BL7020 matched with a Shimano Torium 20 reel and spooled with 30 to 50-pound Power Pro is a preferred gun to bring to the battle.

Terminal tackle to battle any normal fluke conditions include 75-pound Spro Barrel Swivels, #2 Spro three way swivels, braid friendly fishfinder slides, 30-pound Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon leader, size 2/0 to 3/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks, pre-packaged fluke rigs and 5 to 10-ounce bank sinkers. Other basic necessities on the boat to perform duties include a solid 9-inch Dexter Russel fillet knife, Mustad pliers, Plano 3600 boxes, Shimano Blackmoon bag organizer, Costa 580 lens sunglasses and a Cuda measuring tape.

Bait is usually provided by the boat in the form of spearing and squid strips, but any fluke belly, bluefish strips, or sea robin strips you can procure are prime time baits to lance on the hook. And of course the kicker baits – Gulp! 4-inch Swimmin’ Minnows or 4-inch New Penny shrimp.

When drifting, keep baits on bottom and dish out line if you aren’t holding. Drifts can be slick and fast and if your bait is up in the water column you’ll only attract dogfish. Mates on party boats will perform all the dirty functions like untangling lines, netting fish and running to get bait for you, so be sure to always tip them at least 20% of the cost of the fare. Summer fun on the high seas is here, try out a party boat fluke trip!