Winter Flounder Opens Tomorrow

[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]

Originally Posted by jiocg1181

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

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

many thanks, i'll give it a try in a few weeks when there are some catch reports coming in