Winter Flounder Opens Tomorrow

[NoLimit]

Wind and tides look good for maybe a flurry around noon.

[Blackfish Doug]

I would love to be out for them but it looks like nobody is sailing for them:mad:

[NoLimit]

The state economy is losing big time by not allowing party boats to go out. A two fish limit sucks and if it were 4, it would justify the fare.

The present two fish limit might as well be zero. A 4 fish limit would put hundreds of thousands into the local economy, cure the winter doldrums, and have zero effect on the fish stocks.

[FieldTester]

I would love to be out for them but it looks like nobody is sailing for them:mad:

Doug,
The skiff is ready but 2 fish limit now ?? I though you guys were around 4-6 last time I checked.

[Blackfish Doug]

The state economy is losing big time by not allowing party boats to go out. A two fish limit sucks and if it were 4, it would justify the fare.

The present two fish limit might as well be zero. A 4 fish limit would put hundreds of thousands into the local economy, cure the winter doldrums, and have zero effect on the fish stocks.

Did you see the size of the flounder in that picture? there's more meat on those 2 flounder then 3 18" keeper Fluke. If you go out on any headboat you would consider 3 keeper Fluke a very good day? How many times do you go out & come home with nothing but Ice in your cooler at the end of the day when you go Fluking? Not once last year did I not get my 2 fish Flounder limit. I don't even think I caught a short flounder last year.

[NoLimit]

That looks like the Paramount in deep water - but I have caught them that big in the RB.

[Blackfish Doug]

I have caught them that size in the back bays as well. I know Jerry on the fish Monger does few of these trips pictured boat limits all the time what else would you expect from him anyway. But not one of his customers ever complain about the limit we have no other choice but to accept it. I bring back one of my favorite fish to eat at one the great restaurants we have here in Brick NJ & enjoy them with a few cold ones it makes my day. Plenty of great eats to have with the wife & even enough for a dogie bag for the next days lunch.

[CubasFinest12]

I fish for sport, not for meat. So i don't really care what the limit is. I'm dunking my boat back into the slip March 23/24/25. Im going to be flounder fishing a lot If anyone wants to hop on feel free to pm me.

[shrimpman steve]

Time to wake the dirty shrimp up.

[Detour66]

It's truly is a shame what the Winter flounder fishing has become because of the regs. For years it was how the new saltwater fishing season started! It was tradition! Now that is all but gone due to the 2 fish limit. It would be nice if they upped the limit to 10 and that's not asking to much! I guess I will have to be happy with the great memories I have of flounder fishing with my Grandpa and my Dad back in the day..... but I sure do miss it!

[Man Workin]

Don't give up on your memories my friend, so what if the bag limit is two. Take the kids / grand kids out and let them have a blast. Hey two kids and two adults is alot of filets. I know its expensive but its our job to keep it going. I will never forget flounder fishing in Barnaget bay on the flats with my old man telling me how things are done.

[jiocg1181]

Anyone know if they catch flounder in keyport from the bulkhead or pier? Looking for spots to catch them from shore.

[Man Workin]

Some else could give you better Intel than me about up there.
The report from shark river in Belmar is always pretty accurate.

[acabtp]

i haven't gone for flounder since i was a little kid and we'd fish for them in the PP canal. 2 fish limit is kind of a bummer, but with the fluke size limit what it is that might as well be 2 for me most trips too. so no reason not to try for flounder i suppose.

can I get them in raritan bay in the spring? i take my boat outside in the summer when the rest of the fleet is around, but probably wouldn't in the winter (only a 16'). similar methods to fluke just smaller baits?

[bulletbob]

Anyone know if they catch flounder in keyport from the bulkhead or pier? Looking for spots to catch them from shore.

We used to, but that a long time ago... Also the Shrewsbury River,,, We used to catch a lot of flounder from shore there,,, Again, that was long ago, and I am not sure if there is any public access to the river any longer... The fish are still right in the same spots we caught them years ago, just not in the same numbers.. Anywhere along the bayshore is worth a shot, but its really early for them .. I lived on Raritan Bay, and March was not a good month most years.. We did well in April and May.. They start biting in the bay a couple of weeks after the rivers... bob

[Rich]

Hit the Schrewsbury at the Hook for an hour or so, nothing to report, lost a few pieces of clam to some crabs that was it. Just about what should be expected for March 1st, beautiful day just the same.

[bulletbob]

i haven't gone for flounder since i was a little kid and we'd fish for them in the PP canal. 2 fish limit is kind of a bummer, but with the fluke size limit what it is that might as well be 2 for me most trips too. so no reason not to try for flounder i suppose.

can I get them in raritan bay in the spring? i take my boat outside in the summer when the rest of the fleet is around, but probably wouldn't in the winter (only a 16'). similar methods to fluke just smaller baits?

Very different bait and techniques.. You can catch flounder drifting slowly, but its better to anchor.. You usually need to chum unless the fish are around in really big numbers.... In the bay,I would anchor up in maybe 8-10 FOW, crack a few mussels around the boat to get the fish started, lower a chum pot with clam chum, and use a 2 hook flounder rig with an ounce sinker, maybe 2.. I always used fresh water size tackle... Bouncing the sinker always worked for me as did yellow or red beads on the hooks...
Sandworms are the standard hook bait, but IMHO, NOTHING outfishes a fresh shucked mussel.. Snotty parts of fresh clam work great as well.. Bloodworms work and are a bit easier to keep on the hook than sands or mussels, but for me, they weren't the best bait,, sands were better than bloods, and mussels were better than both.. I would just go to a good bait shop, and they will set you right up.... bob

[Detour66]

Don't give up on your memories my friend, so what if the bag limit is two. Take the kids / grand kids out and let them have a blast. Hey two kids and two adults is alot of filets. I know its expensive but its our job to keep it going. I will never forget flounder fishing in Barnaget bay on the flats with my old man telling me how things are done.

I will not give up on them ... and more than likely give it a shot once I get the boat in the water. But thanks for the reminder! Tight Lines!

[acabtp]

Very different bait and techniques.. You can catch flounder drifting slowly, but its better to anchor.. You usually need to chum unless the fish are around in really big numbers.... In the bay,I would anchor up in maybe 8-10 FOW, crack a few mussels around the boat to get the fish started, lower a chum pot with clam chum, and use a 2 hook flounder rig with an ounce sinker, maybe 2.. I always used fresh water size tackle... Bouncing the sinker always worked for me as did yellow or red beads on the hooks...
Sandworms are the standard hook bait, but IMHO, NOTHING outfishes a fresh shucked mussel.. Snotty parts of fresh clam work great as well.. Bloodworms work and are a bit easier to keep on the hook than sands or mussels, but for me, they weren't the best bait,, sands were better than bloods, and mussels were better than both.. I would just go to a good bait shop, and they will set you right up.... bob
http://www.njfishing.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gifhttp://www.njfishing.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif many thanks, i'll give it a try in a few weeks when there are some catch reports coming in