Winter Flounder Fishing

[Reel Class]

When we had warm winters fishing would start prior to St. Patrick's Day. Usually though, that was the date where guys would start giving it a real effort.

With a winter like this, where the water is still in the 40 degree range going into April, fishing would be sluggish to start and could last into May.

With that said, fish are being caught, just some, in the usual early season cold water spots. Bright sunny days will be good until the water starts warming, and then thereafter it should only get better.

...Still a shame with the 2 fish limit - that's really disheartening for the spring fishery inside where the fishing is good!

[Setthehook]

Hello and great post. What are your thoughts about fishing for flounder off the shore by the tennis courts in Belmar? I haven't fished for these flatties in many years and am going to try on Easter Sunday. Any advise would be helpful, even if it is trying a different area. Thank you

[Gerry Zagorski]

That used to be the hot spot... With all the recent dredging things have probably changed but that's as good a place as any to start...

[Halibuttech]

the water is 39 f up here in southern nova scotia and it will be a while before the flounder start to move in to shallow water. usually the 2nd week of may is a good time to start fishing for flounder but I usually do not catch my 10 limit in the first of it.