Saltwater flounder.

Javelin389t

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Joined
Feb 26, 2024
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92
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Montgomery county
Hello everyone. I’m thinking of trying to target flounder in nj back back bay in a week or 2. I’ve never tried flyfishing for them but I know they can be an aggressive feeder. I’m Just looking for any tips on set up or types of flies to use. I’ll be using a 8 weight 9 ‘ rod. Plan on just trying anywhere in ocean city I can get access to I might even try in the surf.
 
Gotta boat? No? Planning to walk back in those big grassy back bays? Yeah? Don't. They're terrible, terrible places that are basically nothing but thick, foot sucking, foul mud that wil absolutely try to devour you as yoiu move through it, and give out if you step in the wrong space because it's basically just a tidal flood plane that never fully dries out.

They stink, literally, are filled with vicious blood sucking flies and more ticks than you can imagine, bake in that sun, and really don't want to let you leave them with how hard they suck at your feet. And yes, I learned the hard way.

Take a spinning rod, you'll have way more fun. Promise. Buy some bloodworms or, better yet, get the Fishbites bloodworm material and let it soak. Buy soft plastic Gulp in the mullet shape and stick 'em on a jig head. There's a boat launch at the end of the island in Corson's Inlet, you'll be able to cast into the bridgelights from the floating dock at night and everyone does it. You can also walk all the way out to the inlet where the water flows through which is pretty fun, but again, expect flies and ticks. Especially at night.
 
Hello everyone. I’m thinking of trying to target flounder in nj back back bay in a week or 2. I’ve never tried flyfishing for them but I know they can be an aggressive feeder. I’m Just looking for any tips on set up or types of flies to use. I’ll be using a 8 weight 9 ‘ rod. Plan on just trying anywhere in ocean city I can get access to I might even try in the surf.
I've never heard of anyone trying to catch flounder on the fly, but best of luck to you. Update us on how it goes.
 
Gotta boat? No? Planning to walk back in those big grassy back bays? Yeah? Don't. They're terrible, terrible places that are basically nothing but thick, foot sucking, foul mud that wil absolutely try to devour you as yoiu move through it, and give out if you step in the wrong space because it's basically just a tidal flood plane that never fully dries out.

They stink, literally, are filled with vicious blood sucking flies and more ticks than you can imagine, bake in that sun, and really don't want to let you leave them with how hard they suck at your feet. And yes, I learned the hard way.

Take a spinning rod, you'll have way more fun. Promise. Buy some bloodworms or, better yet, get the Fishbites bloodworm material and let it soak. Buy soft plastic Gulp in the mullet shape and stick 'em on a jig head. There's a boat launch at the end of the island in Corson's Inlet, you'll be able to cast into the bridgelights from the floating dock at night and everyone does it. You can also walk all the way out to the inlet where the water flows through which is pretty fun, but again, expect flies and ticks. Especially at night.
Thanks for the advice. I do have a 14 ft Jon boat with 18 hp. I should take it with but probably won’t. Mainly going down to OC to relax and do nothing,but I always take some rods with in case I have time to fish a little. I’m still trying get into flyfishing in the surf but so far haven’t had time to do it. I have only really fished for flatties in the past from party boats or occasionally from a rental boat. I’ll post back here if I do get out.
 
So, 'back in the day', mid-summer, in a prior life, I would take a dingy with a 25 hp on a rising tide back in the bays (VA, MD, DE, NJ); use a 'flounder pounder' rig on conventional tackle tipped with a strip of squid belly or a 'mummichog, and get some nice 'fluke and an occasional 'doormat' to fry up, accompanied by a fine, well rested 1991 'Nattiebo.

Joe
 
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I've never heard of anyone trying to catch flounder on the fly, but best of luck to you. Update us on how it goes.
If I do get out I will definitely post back. Thanks. Just saw your post about truck. Sorry to hear. I had my truck broken into once and it made me feel so sick and vulnerable. Can’t imagine how it must have felt to have it stolen.
 
So, 'back in the day', mid-summer, in a prior life, I would take a dingy with a 25 hp on a rising tide back in the bays (VA, MD, DE, NJ); use a 'flounder pounder' rig on conventional tackle tipped with a strip of squid belly or a 'mummichog, and get some nice 'fluke and an occasional 'doormat' to fry up, accompanied by a fine, well rested 1991 'Nattiebo.

Joe
Sounds like the old days when I went on party boats and came back with a bucket full of flatties. Probably should have thrown back the little guys 😬
 
Thanks for the advice. I do have a 14 ft Jon boat with 18 hp. I should take it with but probably won’t. Mainly going down to OC to relax and do nothing,but I always take some rods with in case I have time to fish a little. I’m still trying get into flyfishing in the surf but so far haven’t had time to do it. I have only really fished for flatties in the past from party boats or occasionally from a rental boat. I’ll post back here if I do get out.

Fly fishing in the surf really only works when the fish are there, which isn't in July or August when it's that hot. There's stuff that's in the wash but the smell of the bait is what will attrack them. That fishbites stuff is fantastic. Like I said, take the spinning rod and soak bait and you'll have way more fun.

Good luck!
 
The only flounder I ever remember catching on a fly rod was years back up in Cape Cod while fishing for Stripers in June if I remember correctly. It took a chartreuse/white Half and Half. It was neat to catch it but I think it would be pretty challenging specifically targeted flounder on the fly.

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Try Corsons inlet SP on the south end of OC or cross the bridge to the Strathmere side. Have occasionally seen fly fishers pick up flounder over the years. At the very least, a lovely spot to walk.
 
Only place I had success with flounder in the surf was the Outer banks. I have heard of others having luck in OC or VA beach areas but I've never been. But Clousers fished parallel to the beach, right in the surf, in NC is a dependable method.

You might have luck around the backside of Cape May doing that.
 
I’m going flounder fishing on Thursday but I actually want to catch flounder to eat not as some kind of weird bucket list accomplishment. I’m taking my ugly stik and will be fishing Killies. If you want to catch flounder leave the fly rod at home and fish killies. In OC there are plenty of little fishing piers along Bay Ave to sit and fish. The 9th street bridge has fishing piers on both ends and in the middle you can fish from. I like going down to the OC/Longport bridge where there is a small beach access parking lot. Park in the lot and walk the path to the water. It’s a pay lot and it’s small and fills up quick. It’s also time restricted. This is the Great Egg Harbor inlet and it’s where the bay meets the ocean. If you go right you will be fishing the ocean. If you go left you will be fishing the bay. I like the ocean side of the bridge. Lots of powerful current here so probably not ideal for a fly rod.
 
I’m going flounder fishing on Thursday but I actually want to catch flounder to eat not as some kind of weird bucket list accomplishment. I’m taking my ugly stik and will be fishing Killies. If you want to catch flounder leave the fly rod at home and fish killies. In OC there are plenty of little fishing piers along Bay Ave to sit and fish. The 9th street bridge has fishing piers on both ends and in the middle you can fish from. I like going down to the OC/Longport bridge where there is a small beach access parking lot. Park in the lot and walk the path to the water. It’s a pay lot and it’s small and fills up quick. It’s also time restricted. This is the Great Egg Harbor inlet and it’s where the bay meets the ocean. If you go right you will be fishing the ocean. If you go left you will be fishing the bay. I like the ocean side of the bridge. Lots of powerful current here so probably not ideal for a fly rod.
Thanks for the info. I’m really not taking this flyfishing attempt to seriously.😎 just thought I might give it a try. I’m somewahat familiar with the areas you mentioned. When I have gone flounder fishing before I always used killies and a squid strip. I’m not even sure how much fishing I’ll get in. Just curious, are you taking a boat out or from shore on Thursday ?
 
Thanks for the info. I’m really not taking this flyfishing attempt to seriously.😎 just thought I might give it a try. I’m somewahat familiar with the areas you mentioned. When I have gone flounder fishing before I always used killies and a squid strip. I’m not even sure how much fishing I’ll get in. Just curious, are you taking a boat out or from shore on Thursday ?
Boat
 
It can be done with right conditions. I've seen it done a few times. Clousers are your friends and a sinking line. Someone mentioned corsons inlet, this is a great spot for it or if you can find similar spots. I can think of a few along backside of IBSP that'd be worth a shot. Try going at the change of the tides as well. I've tried a few times but end up catching blues usually, not complaining.
 
I’ve caught quite few fluke while striper fishing in the bay. Just bounce a chartreuse and white Clouser along the bottom with the current.
 
Just got back from a beach trip to sandbridge VA. My son wanted to surf fish. He used a spinning rod with bucktail jigs that we had tied. I figured I’d give the fly rod a try - I had clousers and a few big Dahlberg divers. He caught a Spanish mackerel and a flounder. And I got a mackerel on the fly rod. It was a ton of fun - the mackerel fight. We didn’t spend all that much time fishing so I felt like that was pretty good. It certainly isn’t fast action but it was different and a good challenge for our skills. I will say the nights we had success were very calm conditions. Windy and heavier surf we had no luck. Casting a heavy clouser from the beach will certainly teach you a few things about your deficiencies.
 
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