Miss Judy Charters
Captain Judy Helmey
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956!"
124 Palmetto Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31410
912 897 4921 or 912 897 3460 fax
www.missjudycharters.com
June 4, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore Suggestions
Summer flounder
The old term "door mate flounder" didn't start getting used, because of them being just a conversation piece. The fact of the matter is that we do have flounder in this area that can get as big as a doormat. The special rules of engagement when targeting a flounder don't need to be discarded. Flounders are sight feeders with a keen sense. In other words "they look hard at what they are going to kill first and eat!" They are also considered "ambush feeders!" They get this name due to the fact that they camouflage themselves into their surroundings, which boils down to some serious blending in with it's current background coloring.
This is a fish that especially when burrowed down in the sand or mud needs some sort of water movement. With that being said, "they situate themselves when the tide is not moving and when it is they are burrowed down." Live bait comes to mind first when targeting this fish. Any live bait that you think will fit comfortably in the old flounder's mouth will work. The obvious live bait would be shrimp and mud minnows. This is a fish that will hit the dead stuff also. Any sort of strip bait such as squid or mullet will also get their attention. The best tip I can give you when using strip bait is make sure that it's not too big and bulky. The reason being is that you want the current to make your bait do the "flag!" This means, "waving in the current." Flag-ing baits" wave them in for sure!
The set hook design for successfully hooking up a flounder is hard to believe. It has been said by many fishermen that you actually have time to count before setting your hook. This count formula goes something like this: 1001, 1002, 1003, and so on. This boils down to the fact that it takes a little more time for a flounder to kill it intended meal, turn it around in their mouth, and then go into the swim off mode. The fact of the matter is that when you do hook up with a flounder you really do feel at first that you are hung on some sort of bottom structure. The best way to get a solid hook up in this case is to keep your line tight and don't set too wildly. Once the suction is broken between the fish and the bottom it's fishing as normal!