2013 winter flounder?

[joshpio]

Do we know anything about winter flounder season yet. It is next month! If it's still on. Still 2 fish? My little guy and I beat them up opening day last year. He was only 4 and he wants to go again.

[Blackfish Doug]

It probably will be the same as last year the regs usually don't change until April. As for opening day I hope we don't get too much more snow that can damper the early season catch's. The snow melt off drops the bay water temps & that can put a hurt on the fishing. I only wished they would up that catch limit like they did up northern New England. I know a 4 fish limit would be respectable amount of fish. I also would love to see a offshore open season just say in federal waters only now that would be very nice. There at least you can get those monster 3lb to 4lb fish.

[njfisherman1975]

Four fish would make it much better for everyone. I think the party boats that would target them in the spring would have more people on the boat for sure. Not sure six packs would fare any better with a four fish limit, but it might.

[The Sinker Man]

Now that the seasons for them have just about been shut down now for a few years, have the stocks been built up a little where we might be able to get a more libral season and limit? Have any studies been done on this? You never hear a word about them anymore ..If they made a comeback it would be nice to see some party boats going after them or maybe even a few rowboat places starting up again..Big boast to the economy..
Maybe even just an earlier starting season. If we get warm weather and water early then alot of them have moved out before the season begins.

[Pink Avet Girl]

Don't know what the flounder conditions will be when the season opens next month but I was fishing the Paramount in October and we were catching them pretty good (and releasing of course) They were coming up 17 and 18". Hope its a sign that there will be plenty of big ones to be caught. :o

[SaltLife1980]

Hope they change the bag limit.. It would be nice to put together some trips for them.. Ill bet the stock if up from where it was since the season and bag limit has been like this for a few years now..

[crabcake]

What is the start date for the flatties in the Garden State? 2 fish or 20, I love flounder fishing and will go as long as I'm allowed to go.

[kirchoff]

I am wondering how the flounder season is going to pan out

[Reel Class]

we should be able to catch and keep them in the summer when we "pick" them off the wrecks in the mud hole, ya know, the 4#ers

Once the 10 fish bag was eliminated the calls simply stopped coming in - we had zero interest the last 3 seasons as there aren't many guys who fish for 2 fish when they have to release another 10 on a good trip :(

[The Sinker Man]

You would think that after 3 plus years of no fall season and a very limited spring season that the stocks should be rebuilt at least enough to raise the limit to at least 4 fish.

[Detour66]

It's not the recreational fisherman putting a hurting on the winter flounder so I am sure the stocks are not all that different. Until it's a closed season across the board don't expect much. They are still being caught in big numbers offshore. Just go to the fish market... they are still for sale!

[captmark]

Most of the holes and channels in the top or north end of the bay are filled in, I hope the flatties did start their migration before Sandy

[007Hookem]

Thats a good point capt. Mark.....all the good "spots" may not even be there anymore being filled with debris or sand. Navigating the bay this season should prove to be quite interesting being as there are more than a few unaccounted for cars from the barrier island that haven't been found yet.