With flounder season starting on Friday it’s time to get geared up. We have a few suggestions for rod and reel combos whether you want to spend a little or alot.
For reels we recommend using a small round baitcasting reel with a levelwind. Our top choices include:
Shimano:
- Cardif 200
- Corvalus 200 (budget)
Abu Garcia:
- Kalex 50
- BCX 5600 (budget)
Having a good rod with a fast tip is critical.
Shimano:
- Teramar TMC66MH
- Clarus CSC70PMLA (budget)
Shakespeare:
- Agility ACA 6066-1M (budget)
- Synergy CA 2966-1M (budget)
We recommend loading the reel with 20lb Berkley Big Game Braid which was attached to a 3ft length of 30# Berkley Big Game leader using a #10 Mustad Rolling Swivel. The small profile of the swivel virtually eliminates any chance of picking up debris. The rig should be completed with two 2/0 Mustad (92641) Baitholder Hooks and a bank sinker ranging from 1-2oz.
Choosing the right spot
As for most bottom fish, moving water, incoming or outgoing, produces the best results. Most of the fish are found on or near ledges on bottom that is typically muddy, even though some of the harder bottom can also produce some good action. Nearly all of the fishing is done at anchor.
In some areas you may not even have to leave the dock as plenty of fish are close to shore. You may have some fish sitting in your slip and not know.
Chumming
My preference is to make my own chum, since I also use it for porgy fishing. Throughout the year I keep spearing traps in my slip and when they’re big enough I’ll even cast net them. I freeze them and when I have the time I just toss them in a strong blender with corn, maybe some dry dog food, and a few squirts of menhaden oil although almost anything you toss in will work well but make sure you have some dry ingredients to act as a binder.
A good thing to keep on the boat is a Berkley Chum bucket. When you start running low on natural chum it’s a great way to keep the fish under the boat even if your just bringing the old chum up to swap it out. If you have that Berkley chum down you will be able to keep the fish there.
Don’t skimp on buying bait
The action in the harbor is typically non-stop. Put a couple of anglers in the boat, each with a two hook rig baited with half a sandworm and they will go through a lot of bait. Most anglers buy an entire flat (144) of sandworms, a several chum logs and a couple of frozen containers of shucked clams. There are plenty of other pesky critters that keep the action going. If they get too numerous and the flounder are few and far between it is time to move to a new spot. The sandworms are cut in half and threaded over the length of the hook. The remaining portion of each half hangs off the hook and provides the action. The clams are cut into pendant shaped strips and threaded a couple of times on the hook, with the bulk of the strip waving in the current.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small round baitcasting reel with a levelwind is recommended for flounder fishing. Top choices include the Shimano Cardif 200, Corvalus 200 for budget options, and Abu Garcia's Kalex 50 and BCX 5600 as another budget choice.
Rods with a fast tip are critical for flounder fishing. Recommended rods include the Shimano Teramar TMC66MH, Clarus CSC70PMLA for budget options, and Shakespeare's Agility ACA 6066-1M and Synergy CA 2966-1M as other budget-friendly selections.
It is suggested to use 20lb Berkley Big Game Braid on the reel, connected to a 3-foot length of 30lb Berkley Big Game leader using a #10 Mustad rolling swivel. This setup helps prevent picking up debris and provides the strength needed for flounder fishing.
Flounder are generally found in moving water, whether incoming or outgoing tide, especially near ledges on a muddy bottom, although harder bottoms can also yield good results. Most fishing is done at anchor, and some fish are often close to shore or even under docks.
Chum can be homemade using speared or cast-netted bait blended with corn, dry dog food, and menhaden oil as a binder. A commercially available option like Berkley Chum buckets is useful for maintaining fish under the boat, especially when natural chum runs low.
Flounder anglers frequently use sandworms and shucked clams. Sandworms are typically cut in half and threaded onto two-hook rigs, while clams are cut into strips and threaded to wave freely in the current. Anglers often purchase large quantities of bait due to high fishing activity.
Flounder action in the harbor tends to be continuous, requiring plenty of bait, as anglers can consume large amounts quickly. Having sufficient bait like sandworms and clams ensures sustained fishing, and if too many unwanted critters appear or fish become scarce, it may be time to move.
