Overview
Flounder lie buried on sandy and silty bottoms in estuaries and sheltered bays, ambushing small fish, worms and shrimp.
They are commonly taken by wading shallow flats at night with a light and a spear where that method is legal.
Lure anglers pick them up incidentally while dragging plastics for flathead — a slow drag with frequent pauses is deliberate flounder technique.
Where to find them
- ▸Shallow sand and silt flats in 0.5–3 m.
- ▸Edges of channels through the flats.
- ▸Sandy patches between seagrass beds.
- ▸Around jetty lights at night.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 7' light spin rated 2–4 kg.
- ▸Line: 8 lb braid with 10 lb leader.
- ▸Lures: 2–3" plastics on 1/12–1/8 oz heads, dragged slowly.
Tips from the water
- ▸Drag, don't hop — flounder eat things moving along the bottom.
- ▸Check your state's rules before spearing or gigging.
- ▸Look for the diamond outline in the sand when wading with a light.
Regulations
Size, bag and possession limits differ between states and can change each season. Check the current rules with your state fisheries authority before keeping a fish.