Flounder and a little bit of everything

Morocco_madness

The Flounder bites been decent. The first wave we had a couple of weeks ago was fun while it lasted. We still need a good colder front to push the main wave of Flatties from up river. Hopefully another week or so will produce some cooler weather.

There are still a few spots holding some decent fish though. What's around isn't anything to write home about but if you want a few for the box to feed the family, you can easily produce enough fish with a bit of effort. I'm finding the better bite to be between Blount Island and Downtown Jacksonville. You can also find fish on the residential docks behind Blount Island, as well as the ones on the east end of Fulton Cut. Its nothing like it was but there are some around.

The better bites been on the top of the high tide as well as the first half of the out going. Unless you want tiny Mangrove Snappers driving you up a wall, avoid the lower tides. The lower tides do tend to be good, however, that's more during colder days. When its hot like it is currently, look for depths around 3 to 5 feet.

Time of day definitely plays a factor. Go early or go in the afternoon for the better bite. The last two hours of day light are fire right now. The early afternoon hours are definitely not your friend in this heat. I find the Flounder to be a bit lethargic during the warmest part of the day.

Far as bait goes, you have a lot of options. My go to has always been Gulp Swimming Mullet in Pearl color. I use 1/4oz jig heads in either white or Chartreuse. Some are catching Flounder on Fish Bites as well. One thing I've noticed when fishing with buddies, often times when the Flounder wont hit Gulp, try pairing your Gulp with a spinner bait. The added flash and vibration can turn a dead bite completely around. I've seen it time and time again. I'm not a huge proponent of Spinners due to the clunky nature of the rig as well as the drag the spoon creates, however, in shallower locations, they work remarkably well. Definitely worth a try.

Its not over boys. Let it cool off and we should start seeing some movement again. Get em while you can anyways. after this year, us recreational boys wont be allowed to appreciate the Flounder run anymore.

Next month I'll be filming a Flounder show with Captain Mike Anderson of the Reel Animals fishing show. We'll be going over a lot of pertinent information regarding Flounder fishing in Jacksonville. Migration patterns, biology, rigging, and technique. Should be interesting for those looking to tighten up their Flounder game. We'll be targeting Fall Sheepshead during that period as well.

Here is a link to the last show Capt Mike and I filmed together. Hes a good dude. https://waypointtv.com/reel-animals/2020/8/12/reel-animals-season-14?episode=6&fbclid=IwAR0NmwkCZKLkrNJHSACF-xFcn3c-U5De0XWCduJ5_TgpeJ5xwiovSjDEBVM

There are a few collages with pictures of Reds included with shots of Flounder. Those were all caught on the same trip. Bulls at dawn, followed by morning through afternoon Flounder. The bait in the first pic is a Down South Lures Burner Shad. That particular one is the Green back with silver belly pattern. I pair them with Menhaden Procure for Flounder.

Cracker II

Awesome info and pics.  I definitely agree the outgoing tide seems to be producing more than the incoming tide.  

icantfish

Nice catch Steve. Most of the fish that were up river moved on that very first nor-Easter we had. There’s a lot of fish in the mayport area since then. Just like up river I have found them in bunches in just a few spots. Other than that it’s a fish here and there. 

Morocco_madness

icantfish said:

Nice catch Steve. Most of the fish that were up river moved on that very first nor-Easter we had. There’s a lot of fish in the mayport area since then. Just like up river I have found them in bunches in just a few spots. Other than that it’s a fish here and there. 

Its definitely been weird since that last push. Ready for another round.

cftsmoke

Thanks for the information - really appreciate you taking the time.  I'm looking forward to the show and hope to find some dinner door mats this weekend from my yak since offshore doesn't look too inviting.

Bigfish5

That was a great report.   I went last night in the mayport area and waded a bit.  I caught only 3 flounder and 2 of those were 2 small to keep.   I did hook a decent fish that looked to be around 20 inches, but i did not feel the hit and since he was heavy i thought i would be ok just to bring him on it without my typical Shaw Grigby hook set.   Well you already know by now that he came unhooked and got away.   

That was a fantastic report really.   I will look forward to your show with the Reel Animals guy.   I saw the last one also.

Space Angler

Thanks for the very helpful report, as always.   What is happening next year that will change a recreational angler’s ability to enjoy the Flounder run?   

bocapup1

👍 

bswiv

We don't agree on a few things but that you take the time to share, explain  and encourage......that speaks so darn well......and helps bring the next generation along.

fsu11

Space Angler said:

Thanks for the very helpful report, as always.   What is happening next year that will change a recreational angler’s ability to enjoy the Flounder run?   

closure during the run, increased size limit, decreased bag limit, meanwhile commercial still gets to go slaughter them.

Space Angler

fsu11 said:

Space Angler said:

Thanks for the very helpful report, as always.   What is happening next year that will change a recreational angler’s ability to enjoy the Flounder run?   

closure during the run, increased size limit, decreased bag limit, meanwhile commercial still gets to go slaughter them.

Thanks for the clarification.  As a newer boat owner, these stricter fishing regulations on recreational vs. commercial Fisherman drive me crazy.  

I’m sure it’s been debated in other posts, but I have a hard time believing it’s in the “best interest of fish populations” to have no Gulf Red Snapper Limit for commercial vessels during their extended season vs. strict limits on recreational boats.