On Foot Angler

Natural Baits for Flounder

Without a doubt -- natural bait – dead or alive, is the most effective method for catching flounder. That’s not to say that artificial lures won’t catch fish – they certainly do – but they are no match for a lively little mud minnow in front of a flounder’s face. Flounder have great eyesight. They need to, in order to be such good ambush predators. Because of this, they can often see the minute differences between a real fish and an artificial lure.

The Best Baits for Flounder

As flounder mature, their diet shifts to one consuming primarily estuarine fishes. That said, many flounder are caught on shrimp because these are very opportunistic fish. One of their favorite meals – the anchovy aka ‘glass minnow’ – is not easily put on a hook; however, many of their favored prey are easily attainable as natural bait.

Mummichog (aka “mud minnow”)

These fish are referred to as “flounder candy,” if that gives you an idea of their effectiveness for catching flounder. Mud minnows are one of the most common fishes in the estuaries, and can be captured very easily with a minnow-trap set for a few hours. They tend to hang out in the more saline areas of Spartina grasses, or within the saline channels among the salt marshes.

Mullet

Finger mullets, which run about 3-to-5 inches long, are a close second as the best flounder bait. Mullet have very thick mouths, and can be hooked through the lip, allowing the presentation of normal-swimming mullet when dragged along the bottom. Mullet are good for just about any situation when it comes to flounder.

Pinfish

Pinfish are also a favored prey of flounders, and are quite hardy on the end of a hook. Pinfish can be caught in a cast net over grass, or using a standard pinfish trap.

Menhaden

One of favorite natural meals of all flounder species, menhaden are an excellent bait choice for flounder, especially in murky water, where the shine of the fish will help with strikes.

Shrimp

Although shrimp is primarily eaten only by juvenile flounders, most fish are opportunistic, and can’t resist a free shrimp. Shrimp can be fished on a standard rig, or even hooked onto an otherwise artificial jig. The downside of shrimp is that they often fall prey to smaller fish such as pinfish as the shrimp is slowly jigged or dragged along the bottom.

 Other baits that will Catch Flounder

As was previously mentioned, flounders are quite opportunistic, so many baits work very well. In general, if you find a bait-fish in the estuary, chances are a flounder will take a go at it. Depending on the time of year and geographic location, this may include threadfin herrings, scaled sardines, menhaden, and many others.