So I have been wanting to learn about fishing for flounder along offshore wrecks and ledges during the winter months ( so maybe this should be in the offshore discussion section), but I have not really ever met anyone who knew the secrets. Does anyone have any useful info I.e. baits/lures, depths, upcurrent or down, types of artificial structure they prefer etc…
I assume that they are anywhere from 40-100ft would eat any bucktail or minnow type bait but don’t know much about preferred structures and locations in relation to those structures. Additionally how to keep baits away from the bsb and dogfish/sharpnose. This seems to be a relatively prominent technique from nc northward but again don’t really know any of those people. Thanks
We have a few spots in 100’ where as the divers put it “looks like a stack of pancakes”. The flounder move out to breed and will cover the bottom in some areas, the only problem is trying to get a bait past the 68,000 Black Sea Bass that are in 100’. I have caught them on whole cigar minnows while trying for grouper, and also on butterfly jigs. These are big fish 6-8 lb average.
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
They are having a seminar at Haddrells on the 6th I believe about fishing offshore wrecks in the winter. I’m going. Maybe you could ask about flatties there.
Occamsraiser- i normally work tuesday nights but next week is my wifes company christmas party, so either way i won’t be able to attend. but by all means ask for me and report what you learn!!!
Maybe somebody knows how, I’ve never had much luck with them offshore other than a few accidentals. Like sellsfish said, there are so many sea bass that your bait can’t get to the flounder. They are stacked up just like pancakes in places and a diver with a pole spear can get a quick limit. Any of the artificial reefs deeper than about 35’ will have plenty of big flounder in the winter, but danged if I know how to catch them.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
thanks larry, i kinda figure that the main issue would be getting past all the other more aggressive fish. sure wouldnt mind adding a couple doormats to any box of bottomfish on the rare occaision that i get to go these days. watching the days tick away till grouper closes and its looking less and less likely i will get out!!!
Large heavy bucktails with teasers above, experiment with different colors, large(12") strip baits, live spot, bluefish. Fish areas adjacent to wrecks, bow and stern of wrecks, outlying rubble. Short drifts until you find productive areas and repeat drifts over same spots.