Winter Flounder Fishing Tips

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The name winter flounder comes from the fish's tendency to migrate during the winter to shallower water. Winter flounder are flat and both eyes are located on one side of their head. The fish's color depends on the type of bottom where it lives. Typically, large winter flounder's skin include shades of a muddy or slightly reddish brown, dark slate and olive green. To catch winter flounder it helps to know where to look and what to use for bait.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Rod and reel
Bait and lures
Chum
Chum mesh bag or pot

Step 1

Look for winter flounder in muddy or sandy flats at high tide, in patches of eel grass, in river channels, in deep holes at low tide and in protective coves with soft bottoms. Mud bottoms near shellfish beds are also areas where winter flounder like to congregate.

Step 2

Use baits such as sand worms and blood worms. Worm sections that are 2 or 3 inches long are recommended. Other effective baits include muscle tissue of clams and mussels, clam necks, grass shrimp and sea worms.

Step 3

You attract winter flounder by chumming. Chum is made with a mixture of live baits. Either throw it overboard or lower it in a weighted mesh bag or chum pot. Bounce your chum bag off the bottom to release the contents and attract fish.

Step 4

Use light to medium tackle, with a 10- to 15-lb. test monofilament line. A 6.5-foot medium action spinning rod is recommended.

Tips & Warnings

Use two anchors when fishing from a boat to keep your vessel steady over a bank or hole, especially when chumming.

Match the hatch by checking the flounder's stomach contents after catching one. This will help you decide what types of bait to take on your next fishing trip.

When chumming, shake the pot every so often to attract more fish.

Adhere to local fishing rules and regulations when angling for winter flounder.

Resources

GMA: Winter Flounder

Article Written By Rona Aquino

Rona Aquino began writing professionally in 2008. As an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast, she writes on topics of running, fitness and outdoor recreation for various publications. Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English from the University of Maryland College Park.

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