| Flounder are a species of flatfish that are typically | | | | reefs, and other types of natural or manmade |
| found in the Northern Atlantic and in waters that are | | | | structures that protrude from the ground. As a |
| off the shores of the east coast (in the U.S.). There | | | | result, flounder can generally be found close to the |
| are actually several different types of species that | | | | bottom of the ocean floor, which is a good thing for |
| we often include in the term "flounder." In the United | | | | fishermen to keep in mind. |
| States, we have the summer flounder (found | | | | Flounder are especially prevalent during their migration |
| primarily in the Western Atlantic), the southern | | | | season, so if you want to stand the best chance of |
| flounder, and the winter flounder. There are also | | | | landing flounder, it's a good idea to angle for them |
| species of flounder that can be found in waters off | | | | from September through November, which are |
| the coasts of Europe and Japan. | | | | considered their migratory months. As far as tackle is |
| Flounders are traditionally pretty small fish and usually | | | | concerned, experts recommend using a medium stiff |
| range from 12 to 15 inches in size. Interestingly, this | | | | casting rod, particularly one that is around 7 feet long. |
| presents a unique challenge to anglers. Instead of | | | | In addition, it's a good idea to use this in conjunction |
| feeling an immediate bite, fishermen who angle for | | | | with a smaller baitcasting reel. Many experts consider |
| flounder often can feel as if they've snagged their | | | | the "standard flounder rig" to be a 4/0-circle hook on |
| line on something. This can make it tricky to | | | | a 15-inch 30 lb. test monofilament leader (terminal |
| ultimately land a flounder, particularly because the | | | | rigging). However, as with most tackle, you'll want to |
| flounder often will hold the bait in its mouth and swim | | | | experiment a little and perhaps implement your own |
| a few feet back to its feeding area. | | | | unique combination that you find to be the most |
| As a result, if a fisherman tries to hook it too soon, | | | | effective. |
| they will simply lose half of their bait. As a result, | | | | There are actually several factors to consider when |
| catching flounder presents a challenge for fishermen | | | | selecting flounder rigs: water depth, current, and |
| despite the fish's small size. Flounder are considered | | | | bottom terrain. Because flounder live primarily near |
| ambush predators and they generally feed in the soft | | | | the bottom of the ocean (near the floor) you need |
| mud or sand of the bottom of the ocean. | | | | to make sure that your rig can get the bait down to |
| They can especially be found near bridge piles, docks, | | | | the bottom. |