The Best Flounder Fishing Rigs For Different Situations

The flounder is a unique species with a mouth watering taste that you will want to enjoy as often as you can. However, they can be a little more difficult to catch than some of the other species. Flounder will migrate to the deeper water in the winter and they can usually be found about thirty miles offshore. They prefer waters with sandy bottoms so they can settle down into the sand and watch for food. They also look for reefs and other structures where they can settle in and wait for their next meal to swim by so they can ambush them.

Since they are located in deeper water and they stay near the bottom, many anglers use fishing rigs to catch this species. In fact, it's one of the best methods to use when fishing for flounder. There are different types of flounder fishing rigs available and some work better in certain situations than others do. The more you experiment with these rigs, the easier it will be to determine which one would work the best in any given situation. Nevertheless, to help you get started, below are a couple of examples that will help you choose the best rigs for the different types of flounder fishing.

Types of Flounder Rigs and When to Use Them

Drift fishing is one of the best methods to use when fishing for flounder because it allows you to get the bait down on the bottom where they are mostly located. The best rig to use for this type of fishing is the "high-low bottom fishing rig" equipped with a minnow or a squid on the end of each one of the hooks. Using a rig with a three-way swivel that is attached to the main line is one of the most popular styles available. There is a short distance between the swivel and the sinker which weighs enough to keep the bait bouncing off the bottom so you can capture the attention of the flounder faster and easier.

Using a rig on the end of a casting rod is recommended when fishing in shallow water and near structures. The casting rod will allow you to get the bait closer to the area where the flounder will be waiting for their next meal so they can snatch it up. Usually, a semi-fast tapered rod measuring in at about seven foot long is one of the best to use. Combine this with a baitcasting reel and you are ready to go. Cast out past the area where you think the flounder will be and drag the rig back across the bottom of the water until you get a bite.

Tackle and Bait

No matter what type of rig you use, it's important to have the right bait. When you use bait the flounder is naturally attracted to you are sure to have the best results. When it comes to the best baits to use for catching flounder you do have quite a few options but the list below is some of the most popular ones used.