Thoughts on Keeping or Releasing Big Fluke

[NoFlukenName]

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....

 

[BennyV]

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.

 

[tjd2320]

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.

 

[BoatGuy]

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.

 

[tjd2320]

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.

 

[BoatGuy]

Post the links and someone here will be able to post them.

 

[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

 

[pequa1]

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

Most female fish grow bigger than the males: deal with it! | Sea Around Us

About 90 per cent of the oxygen fish get from their gills is used for various activities and only the rest for growth. Thus, by remaining a bit calmer than the males, females can outgrow them.

www.seaaroundus.org

 

[Occh639]

I hope one day I am faced with that predicament ?

 

[pequa1]

I eat fish. 'Nuff said.

 

[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

 

[george]

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.

 

[Rick67]

Everything goes back over here.

 

[Occh639]

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 ?

 

[pequa1]

Legal- Its dinner