As autumn's chill starts to put a nip in the air and the days grow shorter, flounder are beginning their yearly spawning run, making their way to the gulf through every waterway in the region. The fall flounder season is here again and according to fishing reports, this is shaping up to be an excellent season for Texas fishing if flounder are a favorite of yours.
Captain Skip James counts himself one of these flounder fanatics. A longtime guide, Captain James prefers Sabine Lake for his angling. For many years, he's been following the movements of these fish and using telemetry to study the patterns of the fall flounder run. He tends to base his patterns on the movements of the larger females, since as he knows, there are always plenty of males right behind her, eagerly anticipating the drop of the female's eggs.
James, as good a source of flounder fishing reports as any we've found tells us that the flounder run is already well underway. "The run starts slow around mid-September and winds down by mid-December, with the peak being late September to late October." During the migration to the gulf, Texas fishing enthusiasts like James have it easy. "I've been using just a 4" bayside speck grub; that's it. We've been catching flounder as big as 6 lbs - if the run keeps up like it has been, I'll be more than happy with the fall season.", reports James.
Galveston native, Phil Ortiz states that the cold snap that everyone is waiting for is not the only time to pursue flounder. "Flounder know it is time to start migrating when the days become shorter," he says. "We are catching plenty of flounder now but the first solid shot of cold we get will have them moving in mass."
For his angling, Ortiz favors artificial lures, something recommended by some other Texas fishing experts we've spoken with. "I got tired of having flounder short strike my lures; that's why I came up with m own lure, the Flounder Pounder."
Jeff Boudreaux is another angler from Galveston that fishes for flounder year-round. He especially takes interest in pursuing flatfish during the run. "I fish for them with pitching methods that are often used on stick beds for bass," states Boudreaux. "I set the hook as fast as I can when I feel the initial thump."
A fan of soft plastics when fishing for flounder, Boudreaux says that he does especially well using Brown's Corky Devils. This is the suspended rat tailed bait which brought in a seven pounder last week.
"If you're talking Texas fishing, there's no better time and place for flounder than autumn in the Sea World Park Flat or the Galveston Channel," says Boudreaux. For live bait users, Boudreaux mentions the fishing reports stating that finger mullet with a Carolina rig or mud minnows are the way to go for flounder.
Cody Stripling has spent many autumns on the lower coast angling in areas near deep water and the grassy structures on the Lower Laguna Madre. While fishing for flounder, Stripling prefers to use a trolling motor.
Flounder fishing, reports Stripling is a bit slow in this area at the moment. "They've been scattered here and there, but as soon as the temperatures start to drop, you'll be seeing quite a crowd down this way."
"During the flounder run, I go for drop offs near deeper waters and grassy points. We've got very clear water here along the Lower Laguna Madre, so we can get a good look at those deep water adjacent areas where the flounder tend to hang out. All you need to do is pitch baits along the edge and you'll be able to land all the flounder you could want," says Stripling.
"Soft plastics on 1/4 ounce lead heads work great for flounder," he recalls. "I work them with a bass retrieve by bumping it on the bottom and letting it sit for two or three seconds before jerking it again.
Captain Skip James counts himself one of these flounder fanatics. A longtime guide, Captain James prefers Sabine Lake for his angling. For many years, he's been following the movements of these fish and using telemetry to study the patterns of the fall flounder run. He tends to base his patterns on the movements of the larger females, since as he knows, there are always plenty of males right behind her, eagerly anticipating the drop of the female's eggs.
James, as good a source of flounder fishing reports as any we've found tells us that the flounder run is already well underway. "The run starts slow around mid-September and winds down by mid-December, with the peak being late September to late October." During the migration to the gulf, Texas fishing enthusiasts like James have it easy. "I've been using just a 4" bayside speck grub; that's it. We've been catching flounder as big as 6 lbs - if the run keeps up like it has been, I'll be more than happy with the fall season.", reports James.
Galveston native, Phil Ortiz states that the cold snap that everyone is waiting for is not the only time to pursue flounder. "Flounder know it is time to start migrating when the days become shorter," he says. "We are catching plenty of flounder now but the first solid shot of cold we get will have them moving in mass."
For his angling, Ortiz favors artificial lures, something recommended by some other Texas fishing experts we've spoken with. "I got tired of having flounder short strike my lures; that's why I came up with m own lure, the Flounder Pounder."
Jeff Boudreaux is another angler from Galveston that fishes for flounder year-round. He especially takes interest in pursuing flatfish during the run. "I fish for them with pitching methods that are often used on stick beds for bass," states Boudreaux. "I set the hook as fast as I can when I feel the initial thump."
A fan of soft plastics when fishing for flounder, Boudreaux says that he does especially well using Brown's Corky Devils. This is the suspended rat tailed bait which brought in a seven pounder last week.
"If you're talking Texas fishing, there's no better time and place for flounder than autumn in the Sea World Park Flat or the Galveston Channel," says Boudreaux. For live bait users, Boudreaux mentions the fishing reports stating that finger mullet with a Carolina rig or mud minnows are the way to go for flounder.
Cody Stripling has spent many autumns on the lower coast angling in areas near deep water and the grassy structures on the Lower Laguna Madre. While fishing for flounder, Stripling prefers to use a trolling motor.
Flounder fishing, reports Stripling is a bit slow in this area at the moment. "They've been scattered here and there, but as soon as the temperatures start to drop, you'll be seeing quite a crowd down this way."
"During the flounder run, I go for drop offs near deeper waters and grassy points. We've got very clear water here along the Lower Laguna Madre, so we can get a good look at those deep water adjacent areas where the flounder tend to hang out. All you need to do is pitch baits along the edge and you'll be able to land all the flounder you could want," says Stripling.
"Soft plastics on 1/4 ounce lead heads work great for flounder," he recalls. "I work them with a bass retrieve by bumping it on the bottom and letting it sit for two or three seconds before jerking it again.
About the Author:
Captain Kyle Tomek is a Texas Gulf Coast fishing guide who submits featured Texas fishing reports to Texas FishCast. You can submit Texas fishing reports through your Facebook account to Texas FishCast. You can share pictures and videos and tag your fishing buddies for everyone to see.
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