Private Fluke Fishing Cape Cod & Nantucket
Looking for a fishing trip that'll put you on fish most Cape Cod anglers never even dream about? Strike 2 Fishing Charters has cracked the code on landing jumbo fluke in waters that barely see any recreational pressure. We're talking about the productive grounds south of Nantucket and the legendary Nantucket Shoals - prime real estate where doormat fluke hang out in numbers that'll make your drag scream. This isn't your typical inshore drift, we're heading to the spots where the big girls live, and trust me, you're going to love what we find out there.
What to Expect on the Water
This private charter takes up to six anglers to some of the most productive fluke grounds on the East Coast. We launch early and make the run south to waters that most recreational boats never touch - partly because they don't know about them, and partly because they don't have the range to get there comfortably. The Nantucket Shoals are where the magic happens, with structure and current that creates perfect ambush points for trophy summer flounder. You'll be drifting over sandy bottom mixed with patches of shell and rock where these flatfish stack up like cordwood. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics, so we're not just fishing blind - we can see the bottom composition, bait schools, and often the fish themselves before we even drop a line. If we limit out early on fluke (and that happens more often than you'd think out here), we shift gears and head inshore to load up on black sea bass for a mixed bag that'll fill your cooler and then some.
Drift Techniques & Tackle
Fluke fishing is all about presenting your bait naturally along the bottom, and that means mastering the drift. We use a combination of traditional bucktails tipped with squid strips, gulp baits, and live bait when conditions call for it. The key is keeping your rig in the strike zone - that bottom foot of water where fluke do their feeding. We'll be using sinkers ranging from 4 to 8 ounces depending on current and depth, with most of our fishing happening in 60 to 120 feet of water. The captain adjusts boat position constantly to maintain the perfect drift speed, usually around 0.8 to 1.2 knots. All rods, reels, tackle, and licenses are included, so you don't need to worry about rigging or regulations. The spinning gear is perfectly matched to the conditions - sensitive enough to feel those subtle fluke bites but with enough backbone to handle fish pushing 8 or 9 pounds. When we transition to sea bass fishing, we switch to different rigs designed for vertical jigging around structure, using everything from diamond jigs to soft plastics depending on what the fish are telling us they want.
Target Species
Summer flounder, or fluke as we call them up here, are the ultimate flatfish predator and the main target on this trip. These ambush hunters bury themselves in sand with just their eyes showing, waiting for baitfish, squid, or crabs to cruise by before exploding upward for the kill. In the deeper waters south of Nantucket, we're targeting fish in the 3 to 8 pound range regularly, with legitimate shots at doormat fluke over 5 pounds that'll make for wall-hangers and dinner table stories for years. Peak season runs from late May through September, but the summer months of July and August consistently produce the biggest fish as they feed heavily before their fall migration. What makes fluke so exciting to catch isn't just their size - it's their fight. A big fluke will make several powerful runs and has a knack for getting tangled in the leader or throwing the hook with those violent head shakes. Plus, they're absolutely fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for everything from fish tacos to beer-battered fillets.
Black sea bass round out the day when fluke action slows or we've reached our limit. These chunky, aggressive fighters love structure and will hit just about anything you put in front of them with authority. Sea bass in these waters typically run 1 to 3 pounds, with bigger fish always possible around the right structure. They're scrappy fighters that dive straight for cover when hooked, testing your drag and technique. The season peaks in summer when they're feeding heavily on crabs, worms, and small baitfish around rocky bottom and wrecks. What anglers love about sea bass is their reliability - when you find them, you can usually catch them, making them perfect for filling out a cooler when the fluke bite gets tough. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or pan-frying.
Time to Book Your Spot
Cape Cod fluke fishing doesn't get much better than this, especially when you're targeting waters that see minimal pressure from other anglers. The combination of productive grounds, quality gear, and local knowledge makes this trip a standout choice for serious anglers looking to upgrade their typical fishing experience. Whether you're after a personal best fluke or just want to load the cooler with quality fish, the waters south of Nantucket deliver consistently throughout the season. Remember, the first mate works for tips with 20% being standard for good service, and you'll want to bring your own food and drinks for the day. This is the kind of fishing trip that separates the weekend warriors from the serious stick - book your spot with Strike 2 Fishing Charters and see why anglers keep coming back to these legendary fluke grounds year after year.