Fat Flat Flounder Fishing Fulfilling

The weather is in normal Fall/Winter mode which means we get a few pretty days and then a few rough ones. I have been able to run about half my trips and have had to cancel the other half based on the old adage "it's supposed to be fun". The folks that have been able to fish have had a LOT of fun too.

I ran a group trip with two other boats a week ago for a corporate bunch staying at WaterColor. It was just a three-hour afternoon gig and I don't think the anglers really expected to catch much, just a corporate junket but a little time away from meetings. All the captains were told it was a release trip as the guys really couldn't take any fish back.

We started out trolling and caught a couple Kings. I threw 'em in the box saying my neighbors and I would have a good dinner. We then went and caught and released jacks - a bunch of jacks!

They probably caught 50 and once again, I kept two in the box for the friends and family plan. A couple of my anglers were starting to have serious doubts on the "release" part of the trip at this point. One of the fellows landed a fine gag grouper and was quick to tell me he was 'taking that home to his wife and kids who love grouper". Needless to say, I ended up cleaning fish for my folks!

The much anticipated Flounder bite is happening and should stay good through the first of the new year. We have been doing great catching the sweet tasting flatties. On days like today and yesterday where the wind is howling out of the North we can get a great catch of fish and stay up in close where it's reasonably calm. Flounder fishing is best within a mile or so of the beach. On the calmer days we can get a pile of flat ones and then run off and catch jacks ,Snappers, Groupers, whatever.

The kings are still here and should be for another couple weeks. The water temp on the beach is still 70 and the toothy critters will stay as long as the bait does.

I apologize to all my anglers who had great catches the past couple weeks and don't have their picture below... I had camera issues and lost quite a few to a fogged out lens.

These guys come every year and have a great time. They had a limit of Snappers, Jacks and a few Founders as well.

Another limit of Jacks along with a pile of Flounders. These guys wanted Flounders but decided they could chase something else after catching 25 Flat ones.

Locals with a great catch of flatties on a blustery north wind day.
I hope to be able to get over to Indian Pass and sight fish redfish some in the next month too....... so many species, so little free time.