One of the best times to catch flounder is now!
Very few anglers other than we real hardcore flounder fans target them other than during the “fall run” which is the migration from the bays into the Gulf of Mexico.
But according to my experience some of the best flounder fishing of the year is nearly two months ahead of the “run.”
It is all about the stage of migration.
Migrations do not happen instantaneously. Instead they occur in stages, and the first stage of flounder migration takes place in late August and early September. When the first cool fronts bring in large numbers of blue wing teal in the marsh, you can bet the flounder are biting.
In my experience, flounder in the distant reaches of marshes move into the main channels and start staging toward the mouth. With each front comes more fish. If you play your cards right, it’s a wonderful time to score on big ones.
When the first tiny cold fronts come through, the temperature drops from the upper 90s to the upper 70s for a day or two.
This bite lasts about two weeks, and it can get a boost if another small front comes through.
The day before a cold front usually features southerly winds and low pressure. If you can find protected water, these are great days to fish. The days before a front are slow, typically because of high pressure, which is our next step. Two days after a front is usually the premium time to fish during the fall period.
Barometric pressure is probably the least understood aspect of flounder fishing and it is one I am continually exploring in relation to fishing around fronts. High pressure puts a strain on fish and typically makes them a bit finicky and sometimes not at all. Pressure that’s falling or is on a downward trend means a strong bite.
That is why the day immediately following fronts is beautiful (clear skies with high pressure), but the fishing is subpar. Some suggest pressure over 30.20 is too high, and if it gets below 29.80 things can get a little shaky. If it is above 30 and falling you have ideal conditions. If you are fishing high-pressure days, use light line, small lures and be ready for a soft bite.
There is a reason the chances of catching a big fish is increased during this small window. There’s very little pressure on the fish, and the big ones that have been hiding away are moving in to key locations. You have a shot at catching them before other anglers do.
Just remember to watch for tiny cool fronts blowing through and pay special attention to the teal migration.
Chester Moore