Overview
Very popular flatfish on the US Atlantic coast, also known as 'Fluke'. Active predator that camouflages on sandy bottoms.
Identification
Flat bodyEyes on one sideWide mouthSharp teethCamouflage patternsContinuous dorsal finsCurved lateral lineFan-shaped tail
- Body
- Flat body with eyes on one side, typical of flatfish.
- Colouration
- Brown coloration with spots that help camouflage on the sandy bottom.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- Moderate, with faster growth in the initial years of life.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Paralichthyidae
- Order
- Pleuronectiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Paralichthys albiguttaParalichthys lethostigmaParalichthys olivaceusParalichthys californicusParalichthys orbignyanus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, estuaries
- Preferred bottom
- sand, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Along the U.S. Atlantic coast from Florida to New England.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides in sandy or gravelly bottoms to ambush prey.
Prefers coastal areas for spawning and feeding.
Presence by sea area
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Na Costa Est CentroPeak
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- shrimp, crabs, small fish
- Secondary prey
- cephalopods, mollusks, amphipods
- Occasional prey
- insect larvae, seaweed, plankton
- Feeding behaviour
- Active predator using camouflage to surprise prey.
- Natural predators
- sharks, dolphins, larger fish, sea birds
Diet varies depending on prey availability.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Seasonal migrations along the coast for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves to deeper waters in winter and shallower waters in summer.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles remain in more coastal and shallow waters.
- Adults
- Adults tend to move to deeper waters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 65 and 200 feet
- Eggs
- Small pelagic eggs that float.
- Larval stage
- Transparent larvae that live in plankton before settling on the bottom.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Summer Flounder
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn, Dusk
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
sandy bottomsestuariesunderwater ridgesriver mouths
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
driftingbottom trollinglive bait fishingjigging
Other applicable
Pesca A FondoBeach FishingBeach LedgeringPesca A Fondo LeggeraSurfcastingSurfcasting LeggeroSurfcasting Medio
Recommended baits
minnowsshrimpsquidfish chunks
Baits by pressure
Low
Bucktail jigJig head + softbaitPaddle tail softbaitShad softbaitShrimp artificiale (gomma)
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoPesciolino vivoStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaPezzo di pesceSeppia morta
High
ArenicolaVerme americanoVerme di sangue
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Erratic movements and attempts to dive to the bottom.
- Handling
- Avoid touching the gills, handle carefully to prevent skin damage.
- Release
- Make sure to handle with wet hands and release promptly back into the water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for the summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) is 29 lb, caught off the coast of New York, USA, in 1975. In Italy, this species is rarely targeted in sport fishing, but large specimens have been recorded along the Adriatic coast.
- In the kitchen
- Highly appreciated in fried or baked dishes, often served with lemon juice.
- Cultural notes
- Popular in sport fishing along the U.S. Atlantic coast.
- Historical notes
- Considered an important resource for both commercial and recreational fishing along the Atlantic coast.
