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10/18/2012 1
FLOUNDER FISHING
Fishing & Gigging For Flounder
Presented by
Tom Putnam
Owner of Half Hitch
Hosted by
Bob Fowler
(850) 708-1317
Marinemax.com halfhitch.com
10/18/2012 2
SIZE & BAG LIMITS
• 12 in. size limit all species
• 10 bag limit per person per day all species
combined
10/18/2012 3
SOUTHERN FLOUNDER Family: Paralichthys Lethostigma
Description: The Southern flounder is left-eyed, and is most readily separated from its close relatives
by the lack of prominent ocellated spots on the body. It does possess numerous diffused, dark spots
and blotches on the olive-brown side and fins, but these are not conspicuous and tend to disappear in
large fish.
Similar Fish:
Where found: The Southern flounder, as its name implies, is found in the more southerly latitudes of
the United States. This fish will prefer estuaries, mud flats and even occaissional freshwater.
Size:
Florida Record: 20 lb. 9 ounces Nassau Sound, Florida
World Record: 20 lb. 9 ounces Nassau Sound, Florida
10/18/2012 4
GULF FLOUNDER
Family: Paralichthys Albigutta
Description: body color brown, its shade depending on color of bottom, with numerous
spots and blotches; 3 prominent eye-like spots forming a triangle; one spot on lateral line,
one above, one below; numerous white spots scattered over body and fins (albigutta,
white-spotted); strong canine-like teeth; caudal fin in shape of wedge, its tip in the middle.
Similar Fish: southern flounder, P. lethostigma (no eye-like spots; color pattern is key to
distinguishing the two species).
Where found: INSHORE on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks;
occasionally caught on NEARSHORE rocky reefs.
Size: common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than southern flounder.
Florida Record: n/a
World Record: 20lbs 9 oz. 1983 Larenza Mungin Nassau Sound
Remarks: hatches into usual fish form, but right eye migrates over to left side early in life;
a bottom dweller; thought to spawn OFFSHORE; feeds on crustaceans and small fishes.
10/18/2012 5
SUMMER FLOUNDER Family: Paralichthys Dentatus
Description:
Similar Fish:
Where found:
Size:
Florida Record: n/a
World Record: 22 lbs. 7 ounces NY
10/18/2012 6
FLOUNDER IDENTIFICATION
Gulf Flounder – Paralichthys albigutta
Note three spots forming a triangle
Southern Flounder – Paralichthys lethostigma
Note absence of spots
Summer Flounder – Paralichthys dentatus
Note five spots on the body near the tail
10/18/2012 7
Super Braid vs. Mono
Mono
•Reasonable priced
•Able to stretch
•Multiple colors
•Has memory
Braid
•Zero Stretch
•Small Diameter
•No memory
•Can not color, coat
only not able to die
•Pricey
•Very durable
10/18/2012 8
Power Pro
• Low stretch helps with
hook set
• Keep fish from getting
in the bottom
• Small diameter
increased line capacity
• Less water drag
• High abrasion
10/18/2012 9
Power Pro • Knots with only 2 or
3 twist do not work well with braids – most knots with 6 or more twist will work – best knots palamar – Uni – Bimini twist
• When using Super Braid’s most knives and wire cutters will not work – scissors, preferable braid scissors work best
UNI to UNI KNOT
10/18/2012 10
Fluorocarbon
• Great Leader
– High abrasion resistance
– Stiffer
– Larger Diameter
– Same density as water
– Carbon fleck stops light transmittal
– Has UV inhibitors – last longer in sun
– Very slick, passes through guides easily
10/18/2012 11
Rod Action
• Light tip rods are more
sensitive but lack
backbone for pulling fish
off their wreck
• Long rods are easy to
feel bite but very poor
leverage
12
LANDING NETS
• Tangle free nets allow you to net a fish
with lure. The lure will not get tangled
in netting.
• Rubber nets are great to release fish.
Doesn’t have the rough knotting that
would damage the fish and remove it’s
protective slime.
10/18/2012 13
Diurnal Tides
www.saltwatertides.com
Because of East/West shore line & the
effect of our Bay - only have 2 tides daily
1 high
1 low
10/18/2012 15
Grass Beds
• Now protected by law
• Shallow water is marked with signs
• When fishing shallow water, Pole
instead of motoring to avoid
damage to sea grass
• You can be fined for destroying
grass beds
10/18/2012 16
Bait
Shrimp – all fish love
Pinfish (Choffer) – hardy good bait
Finger Mullet – hardy good bait
Bull Minnows
17
Gulp • Best saltwater plastic bait ever
made. Although not a true
plastic. Available in all popular
shapes & sizes.
• Biodegradable
• Leeches out scent as used, and
when placed back in the
container the bait will absorb the
scent to regenerate the bait.
10/18/2012 18
Flounder Jubilee
• Southern flounder
move out to the Gulf
to spawn in
September –
November while Gulf
flounder move into the
Bay to spawn
• 6 types of flounder live
in our bay
10/18/2012 20
GIGS • Gigs can be either stainless steel or
painted steel
• Painted steel economical
• Stainless Steel durable but expensive
10/18/2012 21
SOUTHERN STARGAZER
• Will bury in the sand
and with his fan
shaped pectoral fins
appear to be a
flounder
• Can produce
electrical shock
10/18/2012 22
Night Fishing - Lights
• Light attracts bait that
attract fish
• Great in summer months
when so hot
• Green light has best light
distance
MEETINGS
Next Meeting Scheduled
• October 29 - November 2, 2012
Marriott Courtyard
1600 E. Beach Blvd.
Gulfport, MS 39501
Gulf Of Mexico Fishery
Management Council Meeting
Schedule 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100
Tampa, Florida 33607 USA
Toll Free: 888-833-1844
Email: info@gulfcouncil.org
gulfcouncil.org
25
MEETINGS
Next Meeting:
December 5-6, 2012
Apalachicola
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
Farris Bryant Building
620 S. Meridian St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 488-4676
Saltwater Regulations
myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/
26
10/18/2012 27
How to Measure
• Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.
• Fork Length Species Include: Amberjacks, Bluefish, Rudderfish,
King Mackerel, Hog Fish, Spanish, Mackerel, Dolphin, Permit, Cobia, Pompano, Mullet, African Pompano
10/18/2012 28
Fishing Newsletter
Visit halfhitch.com select Fishing Club and sign up for the Half Hitch Fishing Newsletter
By registering your email you will stay informed about what's going on in the fishing industry and receive notification of special buys, seminars and tournament information.
Email Address: ___________________
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