Had a million hits mostly crabs, then pinfish, then puffers, blues, some baby flounder and a couple that got a way. I tried short Carolina rigs, long Carolina rigs, free sliding weight, fixed weight etc. About 16 inch leader and a free sliding weight was the most effective and a 1/0 live bait hook. Big baits got crabbed to fast, small baits didn’t get much attention from anything and medium baits worked but a large medium seemed to get slammed the most. Only used finger mullet, didn’t have any perfect size spots, croakers or pins.
Mullet sizes
Small 3-3.5
Medium 3.5-5
Large. 5-7
So 4.5-5 inch mullet were the best baits.
Caught 8, lost more then that, a few felt good. Kept 4 16.5-20. big one was around 5 #s.
I’m currently chasing the rare 10#r. Discovered/created a secret technique that seemed to work great but will need more testing.
I see a crab claw up in the left corner of that filet picture.
If you really want to rub it in you’d Post a picture of the finished product.
Nice fish.
From the surf ?
New technique my a$$,40 snuck into some impoundment. I was the same way back years ago.haha They need to put a size limit on the big egg making flounder.It would probably work well with flounder unlike redfish.With all the Look At Me t -toppers going out and targeting/killing the big breeder spotail .
If you think flounder are that bad off these days then don’t fish for them. Personally I don’t believe the data as much, or maybe the areas I frequent aren’t as pressured. About 12 people fished within site of me throughout the day and at least 6 around the entire time I was fishing. Artificials, live bait, cut bait, it didn’t matter no one caught anything but me, I’d be more worried about the reds and trout since we used to catch those a lot but since the freeze hurt the numbers they have had a hard time recovering from it with the amount of fishing pressure. The one guy even started using some of my finger mullet and throwing where I was throwing and couldn’t catch them. But I promise you I learned some old school techniques from a few older hardcore flounder fishermen and then accidentally made and discovered a new fishing secret. It will likely work on a lot of fish species.
Flounder fishing is harder then you would think. I’d compare it to sheepshead fishing. Which I’ll also be going for the rare 10#r. I think I lost a 10# sheep and flounder last year. I could only get to the 6# range for both.
Just be at the right place at the right time with the right bait and they can be caught! The pressure has got so much tighter over the years. You have to look in new places these days, the day of going back to the same place day after day is over! Do your home work! use Google maps they work!
Snuck into an impoundment… LOL! That’s were I’ve had my best success for Flounder.
On the big Red, I still don’t understand specifically targeting a fish you can’t eat. I know… many don’t like that statement. I"d like a true mortality rate on the huge reds released Pulled from deep water. People will argue that they just swam away, sure but how many are quickly targeted by shark in their weakened state?
Anyway, Great Job 40"! Keep that secret a secret! Like I’ll keep a few of my “honey Holes” secret. As long as Man has been fishing, I’m sure it’s been done by someone like my “secret” spot has been fished by others.
On the big Red, I still don’t understand specifically targeting a fish you can’t eat. I know… many don’t like that statement.
Amen Brother! I don’t get it. I prefer light tackle. I love the feel of a redfish inhaling an artificial. I love the feel of him positioning it in his mouth while I’m reeling down to him to set the hook.
I’ve been on trips where we were just targeting Bull reds and it’s just not the same. Waiting for a rod to bend with cut bait verses the finesse aspect of holding a saint croix or a G Loomis for that twitch? No comparison in my books.
Having said that, I follow a lot of captains who post pictures of their clients holding those big bulls on Instagram. I follow them because I love looking at pictures of those folks that just won a battle with a big fish. And these captains make life memories for their clients. I get that but I absolutely love the finesse aspect Plus, they do taste good!
Fred, this techniques is highly unlikely anyone does it, it’s against logic, a big time hassle and seems like it would cause problems. It’s perfectly legal also so no worries there… The best flounder fishing is not in the salt ponds, I promise you. You just got to have spots, and skills. I got both. Catch and release is only successful if the angler is good at it. The reds coming out of 20ft of water or more usually need a sending device or ventilation. You can catch the bulls on artificials if your good.
I can see the ocean from where I fish, if I’m not a few miles from the ocean then I’m fresh water fishing. Next month is door mat season. I’d expect to crack 8#s for sure but 10#s + is the one I’m after. I better make it happen quick before limits changes. Lol
Did someone say 10lb Flounder? Fred did you ever go to a strip club when you were younger? If so did you end up having relations with all of the strippers or did you just enjoy the show and then go back again at a later date? Targeting BULL REDS is kinda the same in my opinion.
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After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
