How To Catch Flounder In The Summer (Best Spots, Lures, & More)
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on
It’s flounder time!
In this video, we’ve got Capt. Jud Brock of EasternAngling.com breaking down everything you need to know about catching summertime flounder.
He’s covering:
- Where to find flounder in the summer (both inshore and nearshore)
- The best lures to catch them with
- The top mistakes people make when targeting flounder
- And much more
This is part two of three of Capt. Brock’s summertime inshore slam series.
Part one was how to catch summertime redfish, and part three, how to catch summertime trout, is coming soon.
How To Catch Summertime Flounder [VIDEO]
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Where To Find Flounder In The Summer
In the summer, you can find flounder both inshore and nearshore.
Since flounder are ambush predators, you’ll nearly always find them near structure.
Here’s what to look for when looking for flounder:
Nearshore flounder
Flounder like to hang around low relief structure, such as ledges, off the beaches.
They prefer low relief structure because it will keep the bait near the bottom, unlike a tall shipwreck, where baitfish might be higher in the water column.
They’ll also be found around jetties and inlets.
Inshore flounder
You can find inshore flounder around:
- Creek mouths (especially where two or more creeks converge)
- Grass lines with points and/or oyster bars nearby
- Docks
- Bridges
- Pilings
- Seawalls
- Even channel markers
Also keep in mind that flounder will get really shallow (Capt. Brock’s seen them in just 3-5 inches of water) around dusk and dawn.
The Best Summertime Flounder Lures
You can catch flounder on live bait, but artificial lures will help you cover more ground and quickly find where the flounder are feeding.
Just remember to keep the lures close the bottom (either bouncing them or dragging them along the bottom), and use the lightest jig head or weighted hook possible while still staying on the bottom — this will help your lure look more natural.
Also, be sure to retrieve your lure in the same direction as the current because flounder are looking upcurrent for an easy meal to drift by.
Here are some of Capt. Brock’s favorite inshore flounder lures:
- DieZel MinnowZ on a Texas Eye jig head or a Redfish Eye jig head
- 4″ gulp shrimp (new penny or white) rigged on a jig head
- White fluke or jerk shad rigged on a jig head or weighted hook
As far as nearshore lures go, the same lures will work, although there are bigger flounder out there, so you might want to go with a bigger lure, like this 7″ paddletail from EliasVFishing and work the edges around the structure.
Conclusion
Flounder are fun to catch, unique, and delicious fish.
You can find them inshore or nearshore in the summer and get them to bite by bouncing or dragging a soft plastic along the bottom.
Have any questions about catching flounder?
Let us know on the comments below.
If you’re in North Carolina and want to book a trip with Capt. Brock, you can reach him at EasternAngling.com, check him out on Instagram @judbrockfishing, or tune into his podcast, the Eastern Current Fishing Podcast.
And if you know someone who wants to catch more flounder this summer, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Enjoy your videos! I’m new to inshore fishing and I’m learning something with each one! Thanks!
No problem Bobby! Thanks so much for watching!
Capt. Brock’s presentation was very informative and helpful. My personal dilemma is I don’t own a boat. I have investigated several spots near Central Florida (both east and west coast) to try for flounder from shore, but have not found a productive spot. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
My recommendation would be to target any small passes that you can stand on a dock and fish! Areas near bridges or small overpasses where pilings break up current or force chokepoints can be good to, and are accessible on foot!
This information is great for not having a boat. I am wondering if this works for jetties and seawalls in the harbor.
To swivel or not to swivel, that is the question, some say it is ok and others say not ok. What is your take on it? Personally I like the easy rig change without having to tie on a rig while on the water.
Good question! I used to use swivels because I thought they were faster then knots, but I’ve found that tying a Kreh Loop Knot is actually only a few seconds longer then the swivel, but has MUCH less of a chance of scaring fish.
How To Tie The Kreh Loop Knot [Contest Winner]