Flounder

[gtijoe]

When do we start to see these fatties in the rivers in Monmouth and ocean county?

[Detour66]

St Paddy's day use to be the traditional opening day. The water is fairly warm for this time of year. I wouldn't be surprised if they start biting in a few weeks.

[Skolmann]

Winter flounder season opens on March 1

[bulletbob]

When there were a lot of flounder, they could be caught all winter some years, when the water is clean, and when there has been a stretch of sunny days without frigid temps.. If you get a stretch of some nice sunny days in the 40's maybe up to 50, without a ton of wind, you would be surprised at how quickly they can be up out of the mud, and become active.. On the other hand, a couple of grey wintry days, with spitting snow and wind, and they shut off just as quick.. Keep an eye on the weather, and try shallower flats early on. They need to feel that sunlight warming the water a few degrees... bob

[Gumada]

Fish on outgoing tide and try to target dark mud on those sunny days....

[Gerry Zagorski]

Fish on outgoing tide and try to target dark mud on those sunny days....

Yes - the darker the mud, the more the sun warms it and the water around it. This is why we don't ware black shirts in the summer

Outgoing tides are best since all the bay water with mud on the bottom gets warm and gets swept out on the outgoing tide. The reverse is true on the incoming when the colder ocean water floods in.

[hforce1]

Anyone here ever have any success with (in-line chum flounder rigs)?

I tried one I made pictured below. The coupling held about a pill bottle worth of chum and also served as a weight.

[Irish Jigger]

GT if it's winter flounder go to Quincy Mass. Insane bite and very fair regulations. My brother lives close and it's always a great trip. Short ride for a lot of fish. Pm me for info!!

[NoLimit]

Is it still 8 fish per person north of the canal? And 2 south of the canal?

[Gerry Zagorski]

I thought it’s been 2 state wide for a while now...

[Ice Cream Bill]

Hi Gerry,

It’s 2 fish here in NJ. I know Irish Jigger loves to fish with Capt Jason up in MA. Not listing other info as he’s a NS on your site. I fished up there last year. Daily bag limit in MA is 8 flounder.

[Irish Jigger]

IC Bill knows Jason as well. Guy knows his stuff flounder, bass, and tog!!!!

[Skolmann]

Had many outstanding flounder trips with Capt. Jason Colby.

I started fishing with him when you were still able to catch cod in 30 Ft. of water in Quincy Bay. Every trip yielded a boat limit or near limit of both winter flounder & cod. I’d always book the Saturday afternoon & Sunday morning trips.

[NoLimit]

Hi Gerry,

It’s 2 fish here in NJ. I know Irish Jigger loves to fish with Capt Jason up in MA. Not listing other info as he’s a NS on your site. I fished up there last year. Daily bag limit in MA is 8 flounder. I think its still a 2 fish limit in Buzzards Bay. We used to go up there twice a year and bring home 100 lbs of fillets https://buzzardsbay.org/enjoy-buzzards-bay/fishing/

[Skolmann]

Massachusetts winter flounder limit north of Cape Cod (which Quincy Bay is) is 8 with a 12 inch minimum. South & east of Cape Cod the limit is 2 also with a 12 inch minimum.

[Capt. Debbie]

What canal does that happen at?


Is it still 8 fish per person north of the canal? And 2 south of the canal?

[Gerry Zagorski]

What canal does that happen at?

Apparently up in Cape Cod Frank....

[Skolmann]

What canal does that happen at?

Cape Cod Canal which I believe runs between Cape Cod Bay on the northern end & Buzzard’s Bay on the southern end.

[NoLimit]

The canal is as soon as you leave the mainland of Massachusetts. It is right before that arm of Cape Cod starts. There is terrific fishing at the south end for winter flounder, stripers, fluke, tog, scup (porgy) - really good.

[porgylber]

The canal is as soon as you leave the mainland of Massachusetts. It is right before that arm of Cape Cod starts. There is terrific fishing at the south end for winter flounder, stripers, fluke, tog, scup (porgy) - really good.

As mentioned, the fishing is terrific in the CC Canal. The problem is everyone knows this, leading to overcrowding. There have been epic fights there, especially when the stripers are running. Cast over the guy next to you, and expect a sinker to come whistling back at your head!

[Chelsea-Sea]

Sounds like the stripper run when they are on bunker!

[jigmup]

Mackerel up there

[Capt. Lou]

Many years ago you could drive along canal on way to Cape and never see a car , today it looks like a parking lot most nights . That spot is burned down !

[Gumada]

Catching winter flounder in shark river already !!!!!!