Flounder are a premier food fish sought by recreational and commercial fishermen in the Carolinas. The coast of North and South Carolina is home to two main species of flounder: the Southern Flounder that inhabits mainly inlets and backwaters, and the Summer Flounder that prefers the ocean waters. Both species overlap and are caught by identical methods.
For more information on Carolina fishing and seafood cooking check out my book Surf and Saltwater Fishing in the Carolinas
Flounder are flatfish with both eyes on the darker side of their head. They lie quietly on the ocean floor with their white side down, practically camouflaged in anticipation of ambushing any baitfish, shrimp, crab, or other small creature that scurries above or below them. Flounder congregate near structure, like pilings and oyster bars, or over vast stretches of mud and sand bottoms. They like a strong tide where the current will bring food in range.
Flounder favor water temperature over 60 degrees and are most numerous in the Carolinas between April and November. They winter offshore, which is also where they breed.
Bottom fishing with a rounded weigh, wide-gap or circle hook, and live bait is the premier flounder technique. They spread out around moving water and structure, so the best method is to keep the bait moving or within inches of the bottom.
A fishfinder rig with an egg or bullet sinker is hard to beat for flounder. Use 8 to 10 lb test line on a 7 or 8 foot rod. On the line side, run a ½ to 2 ounce egg weight (depending on strength of current) and tie on a swivel to stop the sinker. Add 12 to 18 inches of 20 lb mono or fluorocarbon leader. Tie on a #1 to 3/0 wide-gap or circle hook.
Live minnows such as finger mullet, pogies, or mud minnows are the top flounder takers. Hook the minnow through the lips or just above the eye sockets. Live shrimp is also a reliable bait but pesky baitstealers like shrimp and crabs may make shrimp a poor choice. Shrimp should be hooked in the head, but avoid the dark brain area.
Strips of fresh cut bait from any fish or squid will work, although now days more anglers use the artificial bait strips (many of them synthetic and flavored) available for flounder fishing in the tackle shops. Strip bait and artificial bait strips must be in motion, either used when drifting or dragged with a slow retrieve. Flounder will occasionally hit cut shrimp, squid, or bloodworms still-fished by bottom fishermen.
Summer and southern flounder average a few pounds each, although “doormat” flounder of over 5 pounds are caught by anglers. The North Carolina state record flounder is 20 lbs, 8 ounces caught in 1980 at Carolina Beach and the South Carolina state record flounder is 17 lbs, 6 ounces caught in South Santee in 1974. Both fish were southern flounder, which get larger than summer flounder.
For more information on Carolina saltwater fishing, seafood, and much more see my blog A Dash Of Salty.
