Flounder
 

When do we start to see these fatties in the rivers in Monmouth and ocean county?

Re: Flounder
 

St Paddy's day use to be the traditional opening day. The water is fairly warm for this time of year. I wouldn't be surprised if they start biting in a few weeks.

Re: Flounder
 

Winter flounder season opens on March 1

Re: Flounder
 

When there were a lot of flounder, they could be caught all winter some years, when the water is clean, and when there has been a stretch of sunny days without frigid temps.. If you get a stretch of some nice sunny days in the 40's maybe up to 50, without a ton of wind, you would be surprised at how quickly they can be up out of the mud, and become active.. On the other hand, a couple of grey wintry days, with spitting snow and wind, and they shut off just as quick.. Keep an eye on the weather, and try shallower flats early on. They need to feel that sunlight warming the water a few degrees... bob

Re: Flounder
 

Fish on outgoing tide and try to target dark mud on those sunny days....

Re: Flounder
 

Yes - the darker the mud, the more the sun warms it and the water around it. This is why we don't ware black shirts in the summer

Outgoing tides are best since all the bay water with mud on the bottom gets warm and gets swept out on the outgoing tide. The reverse is true on the incoming when the colder ocean water floods in.

Re: Flounder
 

Anyone here ever have any success with (in-line chum flounder rigs)?

I tried one I made pictured below. The coupling held about a pill bottle worth of chum and also served as a weight.

Re: Flounder
 

GT if it's winter flounder go to Quincy Mass. Insane bite and very fair regulations. My brother lives close and it's always a great trip. Short ride for a lot of fish. Pm me for info!!

Re: Flounder
 

Is it still 8 fish per person north of the canal? And 2 south of the canal?

Re: Flounder
 

I thought it’s been 2 state wide for a while now...

Re: Flounder
 

Hi Gerry,

It’s 2 fish here in NJ. I know Irish Jigger loves to fish with Capt Jason up in MA. Not listing other info as he’s a NS on your site. I fished up there last year. Daily bag limit in MA is 8 flounder.

Re: Flounder
 

IC Bill knows Jason as well. Guy knows his stuff flounder, bass, and tog!!!!

Re: Flounder
 

Had many outstanding flounder trips with Capt. Jason Colby.

I started fishing with him when you were still able to catch cod in 30 Ft. of water in Quincy Bay. Every trip yielded a boat limit or near limit of both winter flounder & cod. I’d always book the Saturday afternoon & Sunday morning trips.

Re: Flounder
 

I think its still a 2 fish limit in Buzzards Bay. We used to go up there twice a year and bring home 100 lbs of fillets https://buzzardsbay.org/enjoy-buzzards-bay/fishing/

Re: Flounder
 

Massachusetts winter flounder limit north of Cape Cod (which Quincy Bay is) is 8 with a 12 inch minimum. South & east of Cape Cod the limit is 2 also with a 12 inch minimum.

Re: Flounder
 

What canal does that happen at?

Re: Flounder
 

Apparently up in Cape Cod Frank....

Re: Flounder
 

Cape Cod Canal which I believe runs between Cape Cod Bay on the northern end & Buzzard’s Bay on the southern end.

Re: Flounder
 

The canal is as soon as you leave the mainland of Massachusetts. It is right before that arm of Cape Cod starts. There is terrific fishing at the south end for winter flounder, stripers, fluke, tog, scup (porgy) - really good.

Re: Flounder
 

As mentioned, the fishing is terrific in the CC Canal. The problem is everyone knows this, leading to overcrowding. There have been epic fights there, especially when the stripers are running. Cast over the guy next to you, and expect a sinker to come whistling back at your head!

Re: Flounder
 

Sounds like the stripper run when they are on bunker!

Re: Flounder
 

Mackerel up there

Re: Flounder
 

Many years ago you could drive along canal on way to Cape and never see a car , today it looks like a parking lot most nights . That spot is burned down !

Re: Flounder
 

Catching winter flounder in shark river already !!!!!!