EP 70: 2026 Fluke Pre-Season Show with Capt. John Halkias

Send us Fan MailFluke season is rolling in, and we can feel that annual shift from “waiting it out” to “get me on the water.” I’m Rich Natoli, and Captain John Halkius joins me for a fast, practical talk on early-season fluke fishing that’s built around what anglers actually deal with: cold water, inconsistent bait, and a fishery that can look totally different depending on where you launch.We dig into why some areas that once lit up with spring fluke now feel slower, including what we’re seeing around Peconic Bay and Shinnecock and how offshore pressure could ripple into inshore spring fishing. From there we get tactical. We talk structure that holds fluke early, why shallow sun-warmed water can be a huge advantage in back bays and marsh edges, and how deeper ledges can stay colder but still produce when conditions line up.Then we get into the meat of the fluke playbook: bucktail and teaser setups, why Gulp (especially shrimp and jerk shads) keeps beating natural baits for efficiency, and the confidence colors we reach for like white, new penny, glow white, and a few sleeper picks. We also cover the stuff nobody brags about, like sea bass shredding tails, skates that feel like a trophy fluke for 30 seconds, and small tweaks that help you keep fishing instead of constantly re-rigging.If you’re gearing up for opening day and want a smarter starting plan, hit play, subscribe for the opening week recap, and share this with your fishing crew. After you listen, leave a review and tell us: are you starting shallow or deep this season?Great Bay Outfitters - Gear Up!Your go-to shop for top fishing gear, apparel, and kayak essentials in South Jersey.Quad State Tune For Your Toyota Truck Custom engine tuning for peak performance for Toyota trucks. Improve power and performance today.Richard Natoli Real Estate Helping PA homeowners buy & sell with confidence. 267-270-1145 or [email protected]: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFat Dad YouTube Channel: (569) Fat Dad Fishing - YouTubeFat Dad Instagram: @fat.dad.fishingFat Dad Facebook: (7) Fat Dad Fishing | FacebookEmail: [email protected]