[russellraven]

I've never targeted flounder before but will be down Ocean City MD the week after July 4th and hope to fish from my kayak in the back bays hoping to catch some flounder and anything else that is lurking around back there. I picked up 2 floundr rigs from the tackle shop to get me started. I realize you need to fish the bottom, but what bait/lures/methods works best? Minnows, white fish bellies, squid, bloodworms, fishbites? Any type lures that work better than others? Does jigging work? I guess moving tides are best, as per usual.

Also wanted suggestions as to where to launch a kayak near the 50 bridge. It was suggested on the kayak fishing site to try at the end of Old Bridge Road/Stinky beach. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[27 sailfish]

Bigger Flounder prefer cooloer waters then you will find in the shallows this time of year.That said- some 5yr will get a 7lber off Grandpop's dock at noon on 4th of July in 2 feet of water .

Not sure if you get the Fisherman magazine- they have some good stories on catching Flounder.

Flounder feed mostly by sight- so cleaner water is your friend.Sunny days help also.Incoming water most times will be better then outgoing-all things equal.Just north of the Rt. 50 bridge on the west side- there are some marsh banks.Look for deeper (5-8') holes close to the banks.Most boats can not get in this area.

The size limit for Flounder is high - I would try using a white bucktail and squid/minnow on it to try and avoid catching short ones.Some guys will report catching 40-50 Flounder but only one keeper using small baits.A 1 oz head with a 5'' BA will work and hook most Flounder in the jaw.

If you can catch small 2-3'' Spot- they are great for keeper Flounder :thumbup:.Flounder prefer a bait that is moving so drifting or casting/reeling in work best.

Be sure to stop in at Oyster Bay tackle shop.See if Sue Foster is there, she can help you out.If not- try the other local shops but search out someone who knows Flounder.Some of the summer help don't fish much.

Expect lots of boat wakes/jet skis/etc this time of year.Getting out early will help.

The best spot IMHO-is the south side of the south jetty.This is the ocean and will go from rocks to 25 feet in a long slope.Cooler/clean water plus current mean bigger Flounder :yes:.

 

[mrobertson]

That time of the year, it's can be very tough fishing.....especially from a 'yak. Skip is right, the bigger fish will move out into deeper water and eventually into the ocean.

Clean, clear water is always a key factor in catching numbers of flounder. Catching keeper flounder is a totally different story now that they have jacked up the size limit.

Lures - i have caught them on jighead/twister tail combos. I have tried my hardest to catch one on a BA, but have yet to be successful. I did actually have a hookup last year on a pink 5" BA but i lost him at the boat. The proven squid/minnow combo is always a favorite. Bluefish and croaker belly strips will get it done as well. Sometimes shiners are the ticket and other times smelt will out catch everything.

Rigs - i have tried every gimmick rig out there. I usually end up with a bare hook on about a 28 inch leader with the sinker at the top. Other than that, my favorite are the sea striker squid rigs in pink, chart, and white.

Look to be fishing in deeper water. Places like the thorofare, the east channel, the main channel by the coast guard station, and the inlet. Moving tide is a must and if you can get out to the jetty's, i would certainly try there.

The biggest downfall to OC in the summer is the tourists. Having 10000 boats in the bay running around at full speed, half of them running aground........it all plays a part. If that's not going on then you have jet skis and jet ski tours going on as well.

Get out as early as possible, especially if the tide cooperates.

Sue at Oyster Bay and even the guys over at All Tackle can give you some insight, and some great charts for the area.

Catching keepers is tough, but it's usually not terribly hard to catch a mess of small flatties.

Good luck

-Mike

 

[rocksteady]

You want bigger flounder in the back bays ? Use live spot . If you have a cast net and can find some peanut bunker , that can be the ticket as well . Once the croaker and larger spot show up they can play hell with your squid/cut bait rigs . With a kayak you can get back into some of the nice marsh areas of Tureville and Manklin Creeks and the smaller guts and creeks behind Assateague . Get on the water at first light and you still have a chance at decent doormats in shallower water . Be careful out there this time of year as there are a gazillion tourons racing around on PWC and such that have total disregard for someone in a kayak . Good luck .

 

[hippie]

Another spot that is good is at "Stinky Beach" and down by the airport. Again, stay in a channel and keep your bait moving. I always had good luck with a chartruse green machine about 4" long or the ever popular chartruse or white fluke killer. I always added a strip of squid and a live minnow (the bigger the better). Before the fluke killer put a spinner blade and some beads for sound. Use 30-40 Lb leader (mono). Good luck, Bob

 

[rocksteady]

Another spot that is good is at "Stinky Beach" and down by the airport. Again, stay in a channel and keep your bait moving. I always had good luck with a chartruse green machine about 4" long or the ever popular chartruse or white fluke killer. I always added a strip of squid and a live minnow (the bigger the better). Before the fluke killer put a spinner blade and some beads for sound. Use 30-40 Lb leader (mono). Good luck, Bob

Green machine ? A Green Machine is an offshore trolling bait . Do you mean some kind of small skirt !

Green Machines:

 

[Echo]

Go to Wachapreague....

Fishing in Ocean City has become impossible during the summer months.

If you must, try Sue Fosters website:

AT THE BEACH Fishing Report, Ocean City Maryland - Southern Delaware Atlantic Beaches Weekly Fishing Report , Sue Foster, Oyster Bay Tackle, Ocean City, Maryland, Fenwick Tackle, Fenwick Island, Delaware