Winter flounder are commonly found north of the Delaware Bay up to Canada, but they find their way into our bays every now and then during the winter months. It is much less common to see winter flounder in the summer months when they migrate more north or into deeper waters.
What is the best month to catch 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 tide is best for winter flounder?
Probably the last two or three hours of the ebb tide and the beginning of the flood are the best. Generally these tides are best because of the warmer water flowing and the small baits that these toothless fish feed on are washed off the flats into the channels and channel slopes.
What time of year is best for flounder gigging?
The best time of the year for flounder gigging is during the fall flounder run and the spring flounder run. These two flounder runs mark the beginning and end of the warmer weather along the coast, and are well known for producing consistent limits of flounder.
Where do flounder go during the day?
You can find them searching for food near grasses, channels, flats, and at the mouths of feeder creeks. The middle of the day is when flounder tend to really hunker down to avoid getting spotted by ospreys hunting overhead.
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.
Where can I find winter flounder?
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.
Does flounder bite at night?
Yes, they do bite a night. You will find them on the edge of lights (ambush style). Most of your larger fish are caught during the day.
Can you gig flounder during the day?
Once successfully gigged, your Flounder doesn’t have much of a chance of surviving. Therefore, you only want to spear as many Flounders as you’re planning to eat later. All the action typically happens at night, although day trips are also possible.
Is it better to fish for flounder at high tide or low tide?
The outgoing high tide is the best tide to catch flounder. Flounder rely upon the outgoing tide to bring them shrimp, crabs and fish to their hidden ambush points. They like to hide in strategically located spots that will make it easy for them to catch their prey as the tide brings the food right to them.
Is flounder gigging good on a full moon?
A new moon makes for a darker night, which allows the bright flounder gigging lights to blind them and leave them stationary because they can’t see you. A full moon allows their eyes to adjust, giving them a better opportunity to spot you in advance and move out before you have the opportunity to gig them.
Where do flounder like to lay?
Flounder are ambush predators that like to lay in wait in spots where tide and current will bring prey to them. Places like passes, inlets, channels, points with good current, and spoil islands are great examples of spots that are likely to hold flounder.
What is a flounders favorite food?
Larval and post-larval flounder feed on zooplankton (tiny floating animals) and small crustaceans. Juveniles eat crustaceans and fish. Adults are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever food is convenient at the time, and feed mostly on fish and crustaceans.
What is considered a doormat fluke?
Doormat: A fluke (summer flounder) that weighs in excess of 10-pounds.
Can you catch flounder in the middle of the day?
During the middle of the day, you can still catch plenty of flounder as long as there is some moving water, but the middle of the day usually provides a slower bite than the morning and evening.
What are flounder biting on?
Fish them on a small jig head or a short Carolina rig to keep them low to the ground. If there aren’t any mullet around, most small baitfish will do the job. Croakers, mud minnows, menhaden, and pinfish are all popular baits in their native habitat. Whatever you’re using, look for fish in the 2-3 inch range.
Is winter flounder good to eat?
U.S. wild-caught winter flounder is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
What is the best rig for flounder fishing?
Best Flounder Rigs
Like the basic fish-finder, this flounder fishing rig begins with the fishing line running through an egg, bullet or flat sinker, which is then tied to a barrel swivel. Next, a two-foot section of mono that’s lighter than the main line is tied to the opposite end of the barrel swivel.
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.
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.
How many winter flounder can you keep in New Jersey?
2022 New Jersey Marine Fishing Limits
| Fish Species | Open Season | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Flounder, Summer (Fluke) Island Beach State Park (shore fishing) | May 2 – Sept 27 | 2 per person |
| Flounder, Summer (Fluke) Other waters | May 2 – Sept 27 | 3 per person |
| Flounder, Winter | Mar 1 – Dec 31 | 2 per person |
| Haddock | Year Round | No limit |