This week, while fishing for snook and redfish, we started getting some petty cool by-catch: large, doormat flounder! With this being said, after the bite died, we started fishing hard for flounder and had some really great success. All the way up the coast, flounder are a favorite; they are a migratory fish, so at times, we have more than normal — such as right now!
For best results I prefer a bottom Rig with a swivel, 1/2oz egg sinker, and about 1.5 feet of light fluorocarbon leader, it’s important you don’t have too long of leader because you want your bait to be as close to the bottom as possible. I prefer a 2/0 j style hook with either live mullet or mud minnows, greenies or even pinfish and strip baits (hooked through the nose). The smaller the bait, the better, in my opinion.
I prefer to find a sandy bottom with a good drop off, or the edge of a rock bottom with a steep drop off into sand, cast the bait along this edge, let it sink, and slowly drag it along the bottom. Once you feel a tick, give the fish a second to eat it, and then it’s GAME ON! Artificial enthusiasts can find a good bite doing the same with Gulp shrimp, or tandem rigging with the artificial gulp swimming mullet is very popular and effective, too.
Flounder fishing requires lots of patience, so don’t give up easy! There is lots of giants around right now!
Nice Catch! I really appreciate the tips on Flounder fishing. I want one!! I’m looking at the background of your photo. Are you offshore? Nearshore? In the inlet?
Great report dude. Glad to see you slaying those doormats, and the tips are always greatly appreciated.
pretty good beach bite around s mel beach
some fish are in the first or 2nd trough dont have to
cast too far
if you find the fleas you will find some fish