Some flounder tips please

[Malaki33]

Hello all,

I have been fishing in the chesapeake bay now for the last 6 years, I myself have a Robalo 235 W/A. I usually fish the Rhapp or at the cell. My question here is about fishing for Flounder at the Cell. I am on overload with information and am trying to figure out what you all use to fish there. Lots of the guys I talk to say I need to be using 10-16 ounces of weight and fish straight up and down, others say I need to get the line out about 50 yards from the boat and use only 4-6 ounces or weight.

Some tell me I need to use squid and Minnows others tell me I need to use flounder belly and minnows. Some say use Large small fish (around 6 to eight inches) other say minnows are fine. The fact of the matter is I am not having much luck there (I do better in the river) but go to the cell looking for my first Flounder citation. So whats the Skinny?

Thanks

Mitch

[satterly]

All of the listed baits above will work. I like to have the lines going in the water at about a 45° angle. Use whatever weight will get that for you. I usually stick to the squid/minnow, I like the large squid you buy one in a pack of. Belly strips can work great sometimes as will bluefish strips.

[Feeshon]

Is good but I always use braid and wire and enough weight to hold bottom. You can't go thru the bottom and that's where they live. Some days it's 16 or 20 OZ to hold bottom at the drop offs to 70'. If the tide is lslack, troll a little to keep it moving.

[capt. dave]

There are some Flounder Rigs that have a spinner blade, beads, and a buck tail fly on them. Try several different colors or combinations. Flies in chart., pink, red/white, orange/yellow, red/white/blue, green/white etc. should work so keep trying until you find the right one for that day. I like big Colorado and willow leaf spinner blades in chrome and gold with plenty of bright colored beads. I like size 5 Kahale hooks. These seem to work well with strips of squid, flounder belly, croaker filet, or fresh bluefish filet along with your bull minnow. Definitely use wire or braid, plenty of weight so you can feel the weight dragging on the bottom, and keep the bait moving. If you get a pick up, put the reel in free spool and let the flounder have time to work all of the bait into its mouth before you set the hook. As you get the fish near the boat, cut back on the drag. Big flounder will take a plunge on you at the last minute and if your drag is too tight it could pull the hook.

[Feeshon]

I fished out of Deltaville for about five years before moving south and those Gillie rigs that they sell atJ and W are awesome. I have used them almost exclusively for the past five years - but find a rig beaded or spinnered or both, rod and weight and line set up and use it till you are confident and this makes all the difference. Flounder catching is like striking oil, once you find a spot where you see a trickle, hit it hard and make it gush. Oh yeah, and don't make it real obvious you are having a good day ( high fives, net waving, back flips etc.) until you get back to the dock or you will have a crowd in your space in no time.

[Malaki33]

Thanks all,

I use flounder rigs most of them I make myself and I have every color possible and have tried all combinations. I modeled some of these off the ones at J & W and others from the ones at Queenscreek and some others that are my own creation. Still Have not had any luck there at the cell I am going to keep trying I hope I eventually figure it out. Ohh By the way I do use braided line.

Mitch