About the Species. U.S. wild-caught winter flounder is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
What’s the difference between summer and winter flounder?
Conversation. What’s the difference between summer and winter flounders? A summer flounder, or fluke, is left-eyed with both of its eyes on the left side of its head. The right-eyed fish is a winter flounder, aka blackback or lemon sole.
What is the difference between fluke and winter flounder?
The easiest difference between summer and winter flounder is what side their eyes are on. Fluke have eyes on the left side of their body and winter flounder are their eyes on the right side. Winter flounder are also much darker in coloration while fluke will be a much lighter brown.
Where does the best flounder come from?
Flounder inhabit nearshore waters from Maine to the Gulf Coast. The best flounder fishing on the east coast takes place in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida. The best flounder fishing spots in Florida run from the Jacksonville area to the Central Florida coast.
What month is best for flounder?
“Fishing is best from October to December, when water temperatures fall below 72 degrees, because that seems to get flounder to stop moving,” says Sheka. “Drop-offs are the big key in shallow grass beds, as are points during a push of current.”
What is the best bait for winter flounder?
Winter Flounder Bait
Small pieces of clam, mussel, or bloodworm are the preferred baits for flounder. Anytime I shuck clams, I keep the siphons and thread them on the hook as bait. Sandworms, bloodworms, and tapeworms can all be cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths.
Why is it called winter flounder?
Winter flounder migrate from offshore areas to nearshore waters in winter, which is where they get their name.
What is healthier halibut or flounder?
Both fish contain high amounts of nutrients, but halibut is overall healthier than flounder. What is this? That is because halibut contains more thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folate (vitamin B9), potassium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.
Is tilapia or flounder better?
While flounder has a higher micronutrient content and is lower calories (-26 kcal), tilapia is a better option since it offers more protein in the same amount of food (+7.7 g). A higher protein fish like tilapia gives you greater satiety, helps you maintain your muscle mass, and increases (slightly) your metabolism.
What is the biggest flounder ever caught?
Captain Charles Nappi from Hicksville N.Y. holds the current fluke world record. Captain Nappi was fishing off of Montauk in 1975 when he landed his gigantic 22-pound, 4-ounce flatfish.
Where is most flounder caught?
About the Species. The summer flounder fishery in the U.S. operates from Maine to the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Summer flounder is one of the most sought after commercial and recreational fish along the Atlantic coast.
What size hook is best for flounder?
Hooks can and usually should be a bit on the larger size for flounder fishing. They have large mouths full of sharp teeth, not something you really want to play with. I either use 3/0 to 5/0 circle hooks or a 2/0–4/0 worm hook for flounder fishing. Jig heads in the 1/4–3/8ths range are well suited to flounder fishing.
Where do flounder go during the day?
During the middle of the day, flounder gigging is really slow typically because flounder will hunker down or head to slightly deeper water to avoid getting snatched up by an osprey.
Where do flounder go in the winter?
Yes, you can catch flounder in the winter months but you will have to target them offshore or around near shore structure. Flounder move out into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in the winter to spawn so you might have to go offshore 30 or 40 miles to find them during the cooler months.
Can you catch flounder in December?
Fishing for winter flounder can be just as productive as the spring and summer months as long as your timing and location is just right. Winter is spawning season for flounder, and you may have to go offshore to catch them during this time.
What is considered a big flounder?
Flounder typically grow to a length of 22–60 centimeters (8.7–23.6 in), and as large as 95 centimeters (37 in).
What size hooks for winter flounder?
Generally, a snelled Mustad size #6 Chestertown or Size #8 Mustad Long Shank Beak hook is sufficient to get into the small peanut mouth of the flounder, while having enough shank to thread a good piece of worm on.
How do you catch winter flounder from shore?
Natural baits like bloodworms – the king of winter flounder baits – and then sandworms, clam strips and mussels, if you can get them, are standard, proven offerings. Man-made equivalents, like Gulp! bloodworms and Fishbites also have their followers, and you can’t beat their convenience.
Is flounder a healthy fish to eat?
Flounder is a healthy saltwater fish. It’s a mild, white fish with a similar texture to tilapia and high in vitamin B12. Unlike tilapia, flounder has omega-3 fats. Next time you’re making a recipe that calls for tilapia, try swapping in flounder instead.
Do winter flounder have teeth?
Summer flounder possess a large mouth, pronounced jaw and large, sharp teeth. Winter flounder have a small mouth and small, flattened teeth.
What’s the difference between a halibut and a flounder?
As you would expect, these two fish taste almost similar to one another, given that they are close relatives. There is, however, one main difference: Halibut has more meat and a firm texture, while flounder is a little flaky and more delicate. Furthermore, halibut tends to be less fatty than most fish.