The good ‘ol NCDMF has decided to give recreational anglers in NC a 2 week flounder season this year. How generous. The season will run from Sept 1-14 and the limit will be 1 per person at 15”. The man with a fishing hook and a pointed stick is not the problem with this fishery but that’s a conversation for another day. Let’s discuss a few of my favorite flounder tactics.
Most people don’t have the best understanding of flounder or their movements, let’s discuss that a little. Flounder are just like a lot of other fish, they move around in groups and schools. Remember that day you caught 65 flounder and 25 of them were really nice? That is why. You were in a group of fish and they were on the feed. Flounder are also creatures of habit. That same pilon or log will hold an 8 pound flounder again and again year after year. If it was productive once, it will be again.
If I am targeting flounder with live bait, I usually use a Carolina rig with as light of a weight that I can get away with. I use 18-24” of Fluorocarbon leader and I base the strength on the structure I am in, if any. Usually 25#leader. I use a kahle hook based on the bait size. The larger the bait the larger the hook. For bait I like spots, killi, finger mullet and menhaden. Live shrimp will get the job done as well. Deepwater structure like bridges, rock piles and docks are almost sure to produce. I personally like to fish ledges inshore and hard bottom in 12-15’ with live bait. If you’re fishing these types of areas and are not hooked up pretty quick, the flounder are not there or they are not feeding.
Soft plastics are my favorite way to fish for flounder. I use the lightest jig head I can get away with and I like some current or a moving tide. Usually ounce or up to 3/8 if it is really bad. For colors I like red, black, purple, white and pink. Colors like opening night and magic grass. I’ve caught them on literally every color under the rainbow. It’s more about finding an area holding fish, and if they are feeding than anything else. I like Saltwater Assassin plastics and will use 5” shad, 6” sea shad and 4” shrimp cocktail. I pair the Saltwater Assassin baits with a generous amount of Pro-Cure Super Gel. Berkely Gulp! holds its own when it comes to flounder, that’s no secret. Something about a Gulp flounder just love. 5” Swimming mullet and 4” Shrimp are my favorites for Gulp. White, new penny and chartreuse are the colors. If you’re missing fish, let them have it a few seconds before setting the hook hard. Most of the time the soft plastic bite is aggressive but not always.
I like to target points, shallow shelfs close to deepwater, cuts in the shoals, and structure like stump beds. You don’t want a plastic dragging the bottom, you want to sweep the area if in current. Hop the bait across the bottom, don’t drag it. Fan cast an entire area and move on if no strikes. Keep on moving and you will find them!
CAPTAIN ALLEN JERNIGAN
Breadman Ventures Guide Service
910-467-1482