The night is dark, the water just inches deep. Your boat glides across the surface, while the lights reveal a still and silent world just below. Suddenly, you spot it – a faint, oval shadow waiting in the sand. With a quick thrust, you strike. There’s a soft impact, a cloud of dust, then a rush of adrenaline when you know you’ve secured your prize. Welcome to the thrill that is Flounder gigging.
There’s nothing quite like stalking the flats with a trident in hand. It’s the sort of thing our ancestors did to feed generations before us. And it’s the sort of thing that modern anglers find addictive. Despite the challenge, gigging is extremely beginner-friendly, which makes this a great ritual with the kids.
So, who’s hungry? It’s time to fork up some dinner!
What is Flounder gigging?
Flounder gigging is a fishing technique that anglers use to catch Flounder in shallow coastal waters. The name refers to a single or multi-pronged spear – aka “gig.” After spotting the Flounder from above, anglers sneak up on them, either by wading or drifting in a boat, and pierce them using the gig. But don’t confuse it with spearfishing, where anglers swim underwater! This is more like hunting.
Just like hunting, gigging requires stealth and a keen eye. Flounder don’t swim very far, but they blend into the sand and mud incredibly well. To the untrained eye, this camouflage is the ultimate shield. But with the right equipment and a little know-how, you can find them. What’s more, going out at night makes it easier!
Can I gig for anything besides Flounder?
Flounder are the main attraction when it comes to gigging, but they’re not the only species you can catch this way. Depending on the area, you can also gig for Sheepshead, Black Drum, Mullet, Rays, and Skates.
Some places allow freshwater gigging, as well. Common targets include Carp, Bullheads, Bowfin, and Garfish. These fish are all common bowfishing targets, so you can understand the overlap.
Always check your local regulations before gigging for any species, including size and bag limits. Once pierced, your catch is unlikely to survive, so it’s important to only target fish that are legal to keep.
Essential Flounder Gigging Gear
Whether you’re new to Flounder gigging or looking to get more serious about it, the right gear makes all the difference. Here are some pointers to help you prepare:
Flounder Gig
The first thing you’ll need, of course, is a gig. As already mentioned, this is a pole or pipe with a spearhead mounted on the end. The spearhead has multiple barbed prongs, which prevent the fish from slipping off once you stick them.
For boat gigging, a 10′ pole (or longer) will help you reach farther. Meanwhile, a 5–6′ pole is easier to wield while wading.
Most gigs have three to five barbed prongs, though some have more. You can use a single-pronged gig, as well, but this is only suitable for wade fishing and it won’t hold the fish as well. Some setups have a detachable gig head, which allows you to switch up the prongs.
Check your local regulations before buying a gig, because some areas have very specific rules when it comes to this gear. A notable example is Volusia County, FL, which requires gigs with three prongs or less.
Flounder Gigging Lights
If you’re gigging at night, as is usually the case, visibility is crucial. This makes a powerful set of lights just as essential as your gig in hand.
Today’s most effective setups use lights both above and below the water surface for full visibility. Underwater (aka submersible) lights shine beneath the surface and reveal any Flounder right under you. Meanwhile, lights mounted on poles or the boat deck shine farther afield and help you spot fish as you’re approaching.
In both cases, the most popular lights are LED, which are corrosion-resistant in saltwater. But the real cherry on top is their versatility. You can buy LED setups that offer adjustable color temperature. This allows you to switch the lights between warm white (yellowish) and cool white (blueish), depending on what water conditions call for.
Warm white cuts through murky or stained water, while cool white makes it easier to spot the outline of a Flounder resting in clear water.
You can also use helmet lights or handheld lights while wading. On their own, these aren’t terribly effective, but they supplement a submersible light and increase visibility in clear water.
How to Go Flounder Gigging
You can gig for Flounder from a boat or by wading in the water. The essentials are the same (gig, lights, cooler), but each method comes with its own considerations.
Conventional Boats
Serious Flounder fishers often buy or build boats specifically designed for gigging, which have flat bottoms, elevated decks, and serious light setups. Flounder get cozy in water as shallow as 1–2 feet, or even a matter of inches, so make sure your boat is built to navigate skinny water.
This calls for a shallow-draft boat such as a skiff, airboat, or flat-bottom jon boat. You may be able to get away with a bay boat or center console, but this will limit your ability to creep into really shallow spaces.
Also, be mindful of the boat’s material. Cruising the shallows will have you scraping over rocks, oyster shells, and other debris, which can poke holes in fiberglass. Opt for an aluminum boat because it can take abuse from rough environments.
Kayaks
If you’re on a tight budget, Flounder gigging from a kayak is a great alternative. Heck, even if you’re not on a budget, this is a fun way to stalk the flats!
Kayaks easily slip through narrow channels, backwater creeks, and ultra-shallow flats where bigger boats can’t go. Without a motor, they’re much quieter as well, which only adds to your stealth.
These vessels also give you a more versatile experience. You’re able to access spots you might not reach on foot, but you aren’t confined to the boat. In fact, it’s common to sneak up on your prey and then slip out of the kayak so you can wade in. It’s literally the best of both worlds!
Lastly, opt for a sit-on-top kayak. These are built for skinny water and stability, thanks to their wide bodies and pontoon-style hulls. Their design makes it easy to glide through the shallows and then stand and hop off/hop on again.
Wade Fishing
As you might have guessed, wading requires the least amount of gear. This is the most primal and liberating approach, but it has some drawbacks.
For one thing, be careful not to bring more than you can carry. You’ll have your gig in one hand at all times, so think about the best use for your free hand. You might use it to carry a light, or you might prefer to use a headlamp. The latter will keep your spare hand free to carry a bag for your catch or reach into the water.
One more item that will keep your hands free is a floating catch net that ties around your waist.
Think about your feet, too. The seafloor surrounding Flounder can be riddled with rocks and broken shells that are miserable to step on. Wear sturdy footwear, ideally boots or waders made for fishing. PVC or neoprene waders are useful in cold months, while shorts and boots suffice during summer.
There’s one more hazard to wading: Stingrays. Thick footwear will protect you, but it’s also important to move slowly and scan the seafloor for their diamond shapes and reflective eyes. Shuffle as you go to avoid stepping right on top of one. Rays or no rays, always make sure you have a reliable way to call for help.
Flounder Gigging Tips
Alright, you’ve got your gear and you’re ready to hit the shallows. Now, how do you find some Flounder?
The name of the game is sight fishing, so whip out those lights and activate your eagle eyes. As you silently stalk the flats, be on the lookout for a flat, oval shape along the bottom. Sometimes you can see the outline of an entire fish. Other times, only the tail or head will show. If you’re lucky, you may spot a pair of beady red eyes staring up at you.
Remember that submersible lights will illuminate the bottom around you, while lights mounted above the water can help you spot Flounder some ways ahead. Sweeping these lights from side to side will increase your field of vision and help you detect subtle movements. Approach quietly, taking slow steps while you wade or, if you’re on a boat, using a trolling motor. Push poles are a major advantage here.
Once you spot a Flounder, line up your shot and strike with a firm, downward thrust. If you miss, don’t worry: Flatties make short flights, so you’re likely to track them down again just a few feet away.
Take care to only spear legal-sized fish (Flounder or otherwise). Once you gig ’em, there’s no setting them free. Have a waterproof ruler handy until you gain enough experience to judge the size with your naked eye. The good news is, Flounder don’t move much, so you can often slip your measuring stick into the water right beside them before taking a good stab.
Size limits vary depending on local regulations. But here’s a tip: When the eyes are at least 2 inches apart, you’ve probably got yourself a keeper.
When and Where to Go Flounder Gigging
Before you set out, you’ll want to make sure conditions are right. There are several factors which make for a successful night of Flounder gigging. Let’s take a look at them…
Season
As you already know, it’s common to go Flounder gigging after dark, when these fish settle into the shallows. But what’s the best time of year to try it?
Fall marks peak Flounder season in most places. This is when they migrate in droves and you can really limit out. You’ll find them concentrated in large numbers during September, October, and November. Just pay attention to regulations, because some states restrict Flounder fishing during this period.
Gigging is also often good in spring and summer, as well, but the fish will be spread out.
Seafloor
Flounder like any place that’s easy to get around and draws in bait fish. This includes oyster beds, seagrass, and sand, especially near inlets and estuaries. But, above all, Flatties love mud flats. Their bodies leave imprints in the mud, just like the dip you leave when walking on wet sand. These “Flounder beds” reveal exactly where the fish have been lying around. So if you follow them like footprints, you might catch up!
Tide
This is a make-or-break factor when Flounder gigging, because these fish follow the tide.
Nine times out of 10, you want to fish a rising tide. This carries bait fish and Flounder into shore. While the action might be slow at first, things usually pick up within an hour or two. So, aim to fish the latter side of the rising tide. Rising water also opens up more ground to cover, especially if you’re gigging from a boat.
You won’t find any Flounder on the heels of an outgoing tide because they’ve already moved to deeper water. The faster the water drops, the faster they retreat. On top of that, outgoing tides stir up sediment and cloud the water, which only makes it harder to spot fish. That said, you can have luck fishing the very start of a falling tide, when the Flounder are still hanging out in the shallows and just beginning to move.
Pro tip! Not sure which way the tide is moving? Look at what direction the Flounder are facing. If they’re pointing toward shore, they’re likely moving in. If they’re pointing away, they’re heading out.
Water Clarity
You obviously need to see the fish, so find water with 2–3 feet of visibility. Using a warm-white LED light can help you spot Flounder in slightly murky water, but generally, the clearer the better. Avoid gigging on windy nights or during rough surf, since surface chop makes it difficult to spot any fish.
Barometric Pressure
This refers to the weight of the atmosphere. When barometric pressure is high, it pushes fish deeper. When it drops, fish move into the shallows. This often happens just before a cold front – and that, of course, is a great time to go gigging.
How does it work? High barometric pressure is hard on swim bladders, making fish uncomfortable. As it happens, Flounder don’t have swim bladders. But the fish they eat certainly do, and so Flounder follow them whenever the pressure changes.
Top Flounder Gigging Spots
You’re practically an expert on Flounder gigging by now! There’s one more question, though: Where are you going to go?
Florida Panhandle
The American South is prime gigging territory. And there may be no better place to get your gig on than Florida. Clear waters and sandy bottoms make the Panhandle especially ideal. The best known gigging spots around here include Destin and Panama City Beach.
Just note that Florida’s Flounder season closes from October 15–November 30 each year.
Tampa Bay, Florida
Tampa to the south is a nice alternative with a slightly different feel. You’ll find Flounder here in the grass flats and along sandy drop-offs. Kayaking is popular, which makes gigging in Tampa Bay extra special.
Texas
Yes, just Texas. All of it – well, all of its coast, anyway. Texans have a special passion for fishing and hunting, and they get really creative with it. You’re guaranteed a unique and unbridled experience – dare we say, the freest of the free!
Just don’t take that to mean you can fish without any rules, because there are definitely size and bag limits here. You should also know that Flounder season in Texas closes from November to mid-December.
Ahead of that, you can catch trophy-sized fish during fall. Galveston Bay and Matagorda Bay are a couple of go-to destinations.
Mobile Bay, Alabama
A close runner-up to Texas is Alabama. Known for its productive shallows and shell flats, Gulf-side Mobile Bay is a top choice, especially during the fall Flounder run. Just note that harvest is off limits during the month of November.
South Carolina
The Lowcountry city of Charleston, SC, has tidal flats and estuaries teeming with Southern Flounder. Meanwhile, Pawleys Island is a hidden gem up the coast with marshy flats and tidal creeks that serve as prime gigging zones. You can check the size and bag limits for Flounder in South Carolina here. Lucky for you, there’s no closed season!
Of course, you can go gigging in many other places. These are just some of the most popular areas where you’re sure to find a local guide. That’s something we recommend when you’re just starting out, because you don’t have to buy your own gear or worry about following regulations.
Flounder Gigging: Fork it Over!
Flounder gigging is one of the most exhilarating ways to put food on your table. Even if you strike out (which isn’t very likely), it can turn an ordinary night into one you won’t forget. What’s more, these are some of the finest eating fish in the country. From the pitchfork on deck to the dinner fork in your hand, Flounder are the fish that keep on giving!
Have you ever been Flounder gigging? What gear did you find you couldn’t fish without? Let us know all your stories in the comments below!
