On Foot Angler

Catching Flounder in All Seasons

Catching Flounder in the Fall

Fall is the favorite season for many flounder fishermen. This is the time of year when cold fronts trigger the fish to move offshore, commonly called the “flounder run.” Rather than being spread out, the fish will be more congregated and easy to target. Also, we’re not talking about little flounder here. These are the large spawning individuals we like to call “door mats.”

Where the Fish are in the Fall Months

Triggered by the onset of cold fronts in Florida, all three of the commonly caught species of flounder move from their usual inshore habitats to the inlets prior to their winter spawn. Here, they can be easily targeted using a variety of baits or lures, as they are very willing to eat as they store up the extra energy they will need for spawning.

Catching Flounder in the Inlets

Large spawning individuals in the inlets are very easy to target. Anchor outside of the channel, and drift small bait fish such as mullet, mud minnows, pinfish, sardines, or anything else you can get your hands on along the jetty.

Catching Flounder Inshore

Prior to that first real cold front, the fish will still be settled down next to their usual oyster reef, sandbar, or piling habitats, and can be targeted by dragging or bouncing a jig next to the structures.

An Overview of Catching Flounder in the Fall.

In the early spring, flounder can be caught in their usual inshore habitats. However, after the first real cold front, the large spawning adults will start to aggregate at the inlets as they prepare for their winter spawn. Target the fish in the inlets by drifting baits alongside the jetties, or by casting along them in the areas that have piers running alongside.

Catching Flounder in the Winter

Wintertime flounder fishing is excellent when the fish are still near the inlets, and more sporadic when they get offshore for their spawn. The seas are often quite rough in the winter, so the best place to target them is at the inlets.

Where the Fish are in the Winter Months

Flounders spawn throughout the winter, but can often be found still residing near the inlets as they get together before venturing offshore. When offshore, the fish will be in 60 to 200 feet of water, and oriented near structures such as natural and artificial reef.

Catching Flounder at the Inlets

Some inlets, particularly the more southern ones, will hold flounder throughout the winter. Cast small live baits or jigs along the jetties, or just outside the channel.

Catching Flounder Offshore

Most of the offshore flounder are caught by fishermen bottom-fishing for groupers. The offshore fish will be large, so using a 6-inch mullet or menhaden, and fish along the outside edges of natural and artificial reefs, deep drop-offs, oil rigs, or any other offshore structures.

An Overview of Catching Flounder in the Wintertime.

As winter is the spawning season for flounder, most of the big fish will be offshore doing their business, however many will still be found at the inlets throughout the winter as they prepare to venture offshore. In the inlets, use live baits or heavy bottom jigs alongside the jetties and just outside the channels. Offshore, use large natural fish around the outside edges of structures for big fish.

Catching Flounder in the Springtime

Spring is a great season where you can once again catch big flounder inshore. After their spawning all winter, the fish will be quite hungry to get back some of that energy spent making the next generation.

Where the Fish Are in the Springtime

In the spring, all three species of flounder return to the estuaries, lagoons, and coastal bays. Flounders like to bury themselves in the sand or mud next to structures where bait fish will be – this includes things such as oyster reefs, sandbars, dock pilings, and bridges. The depth varies, and will be wherever the bait is.

Catching Flounder Near the Oyster Reefs

Oyster reefs are a prime place to target flounders inshore. They sit and wait here for many of their favorite meals – mummichogs (commonly called mud minnows), mullet, pinfish, etc. – that tend to hang out near the reefs. Cast several feet away from the reef however, as you don’t want the sharp oyster shells to cut your line.

Catching Flounder on the Docks, Piers, and Bridges

Whether it’s a dock, pier, or a bridge, flounder will often settle down right next to the piling where the bait fish will be circling. Cast along the structure, so that as you retrieve you bait or lure, you’re passing each piling along the way.

Catching Flounder on the Sandbars

As with all the regular flounder hangouts, they like to sit at the edge of sandbars and sandy patches within grass flats, because this is where they can ambush bait fishes. Simply drag your bait or lure across any sandy patch or sandbar, and wait for the tap.

 An Overview of Catching Flounder in the Springtime

Flounder will be in all of their usual habitats – sandy or muddy areas next to structures – just sitting and waiting for their next meal. Whether you’re fishing the pilings of the piers and docks or the edge of an oyster reef, cast alongside the structures long-ways, where you can cover the most ground with each cast.

Catching Flounder in the Summertime

Summer is an excellent time for targeting flounder. With the warm waters of summer come floods of bait fish in the estuaries, making it easy to predict where the flounders will be buried (i.e. right underneath that bait).

Where the Fish are in the Summer Months

In the summer months, flounders will be buried next to their usual habitats (sand/mud bottom near structures), but there will be more daily variation because of the changing water temperature throughout the day. In general, since the schools of mullet, menhaden, or whatever other bait is in the area, will tend to shift from the shallows in the early morning to the slightly deeper waters throughout the day, the flounders will follow this pattern.

Catching Flounder Near the Oyster Reefs

Oyster reefs are always the place to go to find inshore flounder. In the summer, as the day drags into midday and the waters warm, the fish will likely be near the deeper side of the reef. Cast alongside the reef in deeper water and work your way closer to the reef with each cast.

Catching Flounder on the Docks, Piers, and Bridges

Fish the shallow pilings of these structures early in the morning for surprisingly big fish in shallow water. Wading is an excellent method for getting to the shallow water you need. During midday, fish the deeper, cooler water towards the end of the pier.

Catching Flounder on the Sandbars

As with the other structures, fish the shallow sandbars early in the morning, especially if the tide is incoming, and fish the sandbars during the middle of the day or evening in deeper water or during high tide.

An Overview of Catching Flounder in the Summertime

The days get hot in Florida, and it gets rough living in the mud. To overcome this, flounders tend to move as most fish do to find more agreeable water temperatures throughout the day. Fish the shallower parts of the structures first thing in the morning, but change to deeper waters throughout the day.