Flounder Fishing Guide

The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), the dominant flounder species of the Gulf of Mexico, is a bottom-dwelling ambush predator that uses its remarkable camouflage to blend invisibly with sand, mud, and shell substrate. Flounder are born with eyes on both sides of the head but one eye migrates to the other side during larval development — adult fish lie on their blind (white) side with both eyes facing up. They are powerful, surprisingly fast strikers that can be remarkably aggressive when large prey passes overhead. Flounder make fall migrations from shallow estuaries to offshore waters to spawn — these "flounder runs" concentrate fish near inlets and passes and create predictable high-catch opportunities. Gigging flounder at night in shallow water with a bright light and a long-handled spear is a Gulf Coast tradition.

Flounder is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Shallow tidal estuaries, grass flats, and sandy-muddy bays from North Carolina through Texas; most abundant in the Gulf of Mexico. Associated with hard sandy edges adjacent to channels and drop-offs; use tidal current to their advantage, positioning at drop-offs and channel edges where baitfish are swept by.

Diet

Small fish (particularly finger mullet, menhaden, and pinfish), shrimp, and crabs ambushed from the substrate. Flounder use explosive upward ambush strikes, sometimes leaping 3–4 feet off the bottom to intercept prey — the "drop back" technique after feeling the strike is essential to hook the fish.

Fishing Techniques

• Drifting live minnows or mud minnows along the bottom
• Bouncing buck-tail jigs
• Soft plastic paddle tail on a jig head
• Jigging near jetties and channel edges

Best Seasons

Fall, Summer

Size & Records

Average weight: 2 lbs. World record: 22.7 lbs (Nassau Sound, Florida, USA (1983)).