Catching keeper-size fluke is typically easier when fishing from a boat.
However, there are areas scattered throughout Cape Cod & the Islands where it's very possible to catch fluke from shore.
In this post I'd like to recap a very fun shore bound fluke fishing trip.
Although this trip occurred several years ago, I assure you that fluke can still be caught today in all the areas mentioned in this post.
Fluke Fishing from Shore | September 2019
On the morning of September 3rd 2019 I rolled out of bed at 5am and was fishing by sunrise. It was a beautiful summer morning, but there was a hint of fall in the air.
Usually at this time of year I am focused on albies, stripers, or tuna. However, for this trip I decided to switch gears and try for fluke from shore in the areas shown below.
I am sure there are anglers who catch fluke from shore during late spring and early summer. However, all my catches have occurred from mid-August until the season closes in early October.
During this trip I fished from the jetty shown in the photo below. Specifically I was fishing from the jetty on the right hand side of the image. There was a bunch of peanut bunker holding off the tip of this jetty.
Jetties and inlets like the one pictured above (which I fished during this trip) can be great places to try for fluke.
Often during late summer and early fall, there are large congregations of peanut bunker in these types of spots.
During this trip I encountered thousands of peanut bunker, bluefish and fluke at an inlet during the incoming tide.
I also stumbled across more schools of peanut bunker, bluefish and fluke while fishing from a nearby dock.
It was a fun and exciting morning!
Fluke Fishing Video
I got a little creative during this trip and utilized a drone and various Go Pro cameras to film a video recap of the entire fluke fishing from shore adventure.
Members of My Fishing Cape Cod can watch the full 8 minute video below. Just make sure you're logged-in with your username and password.
If you aren't yet a member, then you can watch a quick 60 second preview 
Here's what we cover in the full video:
And here's a list of the equipment and tackle used in the full video:
About the author
Ryan Collins
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Hello Ryan me and my husband poke from Tennessee are heading back up to wellfleet A wk from today.. We’re excited about catching the Striped bass… Also would like to target Flukes.. Do you think we might be able to try the surf.. We went to Okercoke last fall in outer banks and caught lots of flounder from the surf.. It was a lot of fun and good eating !! I know jetty’s and docks are a good place did not know if you would recommend any Areas around the wellfleet area.. We will definitely be going to the canal several different times while we are there. we will be there for 3 weeks Lord Willing …were getting excited ! Thank you Ryan! Marygail Byers
Hello Marygail and Poke! Can’t believe it’s already time for your annual trip to Cape Cod.
With regards to fluke, nowadays I really only here about people catching them from shore in Buzzard’s Bay. However, I know that “back in the day” they used to catch fluke from shore at Ptown near Hatches Harbor, so I’d say that could be worth a shot. You never know unless you go!
Fluke can also be caught in the canal, so you could give that a shot too. Here is a link to an article about it.
Where was this shot?
Hey Scott – I’ll send you a message. Check your email later today. ??
where was that spot you were fishing I’m from chat and would love to catch some fluke this summer!
Hey Alex, this spot is in Buzzard’s Bay, so a bit of a drive from where you are in Chatham. However, there are fluke at the Monomoy Shoals off Chatham, albeit not as many as there once were from what I’m told. Nevertheless, I would think you’d have a chance during the summer of catching fluke from inlets in your area. If you can find some peanut bunker schools, then there are often a few fluke hanging below them.
I fished of a pier in onset for the first time Friday with some help from the other fisherman and they told me to use bait so I went and got some bait and caught a sea robin. They were catching fluke . That was fun.
Thanks for the update Brian! I know that spot, and I have been told it’s a good place for fluke. I bet a live peanut bunker or a live snapper bluefish fished along the bottom might entice a monster doormat into biting at that spot. Gluck!
Really enjoyed the video and the different camera angles. I thought the music selection was also a nice touch.
I like that MFCC is looking at less targeted species, especially during the late summer months when things can really slow down from shore.
On that point, you might consider dogfish from shore and maybe pair it with a recipe. It’s tasty, puts up a decent fight and is relatively easy.
I love the dogfish idea! Thanks for recommending that. I’ll see what I can do ?
Hi Ryan – is tide or time of day a factor? I have thought fluke would have moved off shore due to water temperature , obviously that’s wrong!
Hey Jane – I think the most important thing would be to find large concentrations of peanut bunker. If you can find peanut bunker that are holding in one area for a few days, then I think that area would be worth trying for a fluke.
Ryan, great post! Last summer Nate and Ian and their two friends fishes that same sock and jetty. Yes, In true Nate fashion, caught a fluke there as well!! Totally cool!
Wow no kidding! That is good to hear. Fluke aren’t the hardest fighting fish in the ocean, but they are a good challenge and a lot of fun. Say hi to Nate and Ian for me! ?
One more comment/statement! Bottom fishing is great! You never know what you’ll find!
Very true! Never know what you might pull up. In fact, last night we hooked and fought a giant rough tail ray for 3 hours, from shore! Video coming soon.
Great little video! I am already thinking about jetties and piers that I know of that may be productive. I noticed that you used a teaser on your line. Are teasers just a little something added to entice the fish? Thanks Ryan!
Yes I had added that teaser earlier in the week when I was fishing for albies. The small fly will sometimes out produce the main lure, especially when the fish are feeding on very small bait.