WHERE TO FIND THEM
A: UPPER BAY
Flounder from upper Galveston Bay begin to exit areas like Clear Lake, Dickinson Bay and Moses Lake. Fish the shorelines outside these back lakes as flounder migrate towards the Gulf.
B: JONES BAY
Marsh dwelling flounder will exit through Highland Bayou and into Jones Bay. Fish marsh drains, shorelines and structure.
C: WEST BAY
Flounder exit the numerous coves and marshes and either head west to San Luis Pass or east to the Galveston Ship Channel. Fish the bayou mouths, marsh drains and shorelines as flounder make their exodus.
D: BOLIVAR
Flounder congregate near the structure and wells around Bolivar as they head to the pass.
E: TEXAS CITY DIKE
Flounder will hug the rocks and shorelines of this 5-mile-long levee during their migration. This is a great location for shore-bound anglers.
F: GALVESTON SHIP CHANNEL
During the peak of the flounder fun, fish stack up as they funnel through the channel. Any given shoreline or structure can hold flounder in the GSC.
G: GALVESTON JETTIES
This is your last shot at a saddle blanket before they enter the Gulf of Mexico. Fish big mullet and heavy jigs along the rocks during the outgoing tide.
HOW TO CATCH THEM
THE BITE
Flounder are ambush predators, concealing themselves on the bay floor and striking when opportunity presents itself. There a couple telltale signs of a flounder strike. The most recognizable is the satisfying “thump” of a bite during your retrieve. Sometimes, the bite is more subtle and all of sudden you notice a dead weight on your line. And other times, a fish might strike viciously and move.
THE HOOKSET
The most important aspect of flounder fishing is patience! Flounder often bite first to kill and wait before swallowing. Give yourself anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds before attempting to set the hook. Sometimes strikes from aggressive fish require no delay in driving the hook home. Flounder have bony mouths and require a stout hookset. The no-stretch qualities of braided line are perfect for hooking flounder.
Down South Lure in Kickin’ Chicken, Gulp Shrimp in New Penny and H&H Grub in Glow/Chart.
BAITS AND LURES
Berkley Gulp baits are some of the best scented plastics for flounder, but any soft plastic on a quality jighead can get the job done. Scent is important and helps flounder hold on to the bait longer. Apply Pro-Cure gels to your unscented plastics, like Down South Lures, Chicken Boy Lures or Flounder Pounders. You can also tip your jighead with a small piece of shrimp tail section.
Popular lures colors include pearl, pearl/chartreuse, strawberry/white, chicken on a chain, pink, chartreuse, new penny and many more.
Live shrimp, finger mullet and mud minnows are all popular, successful flounder baits.
It’s hard to go wrong with the real thing. The most popular live baits are finger mullet, live shrimp and mud minnows. Fish these on the bottom with a carolina rig: swivel, weight (1/4 oz. to 1 oz. depending on water depth), a live bait or kahle hook and a 18” length of 15-20 lb mono or fluoro.
UNDERSTANDING THE FLOUNDER LIFE CYCLE
Life cycle of the Southern Flounder. Illustrations by Brandon Rowan.
Want to take off some time for The Flounder run is fall but when is it estimated for Galveston
It changes year to year, but flounder will begin moving after the first couple strong cold fronts come rolling through. November is usually a good month for flounder. Remember, the limit goes down to two fish during this month and gigging is prohibited.
Mid October to the end of November. Early cold snaps will spike there exodus….