Flounder is an odd-looking fish, there are no two ways about it. They’re brown and completely flat, with both of their eyes positioned on the same side of their body – facing up! Still, Flounder fishing in North Carolina is hugely popular both among locals and visitors. You’d be hard-pressed to find any angler that doesn’t rejoice when seeing one at the end of their line.
So what makes Flounder so appealing to North Carolina anglers? Well, you can read on and find out. We’ll dive into why you should target these fish, along with when, how, and where to do so. By the end of the article, you’ll be ready to plan a trip and reel in your share of these amazing Flatfish. Let’s get started!
Why to Catch Flounder in North Carolina
For many anglers fishing in North Carolina, Flounder is one of the first fish they’ll run into. They’re present all along the state’s shores. Locals who grew up fishing these waters probably have memories of catching Flounder with their dads as kids. For them, these fish are as much a part of North Carolina as they are themselves.
Flounder prefer water a little bit on the cooler side. North Carolina is a great place for them because the water temperatures are not freezing, but they aren’t too hot compared to other states that are closer to the equator.
North Carolina actually has three main Flounder species found within the state: Summer Flounder, Gulf Flounder, and Southern Flounder. They all have the same shape and overall look, but their colors and spot patterns will vary a little among the three.
The Gulf Flounder will remain more offshore and will hang around a lot of wrecks and reefs. The Summer and Southern Flounder will hang close inshore, with Southern Flounder being the most abundant. Summer Flounder, as well as Gulf Flounder, are also typically are in the area due to migration and usually are, therefore, not permanent residents.
Flounder is a fantastic target if you’re looking for an introduction to North Carolina’s fishery. These fish are extremely fun to fish for, but the fight itself is easy enough for even kids to handle. This makes them a perfect species to go for on family trips or if you’re a novice angler.
How to Go Flounder Fishing in North Carolina
We’ve covered the why and when, and now we’ll delve into how to fish for North Carolina Flounder. From the most productive fishing grounds to the best bait and gear to use, here’s where you’ll get the specifics on how to entice that Flatfish bite.
Habitat
Flounder are bottom-dwelling fish. They hunt by lurking on the seabed, lying flat, and waiting for unsuspecting prey to come by. They’re masters of camouflage, blending into the sand or gravel, near moving water where they know bait fish will pass by.
As luck would have it, North Carolina’s coastline is rife with inlets, estuaries, grassy flats, and creeks. Other common habitats include inlets, coastal rivers, sandy and muddy bottoms, piers, and docks, as well as around wrecks and reefs. All of these serve as hiding places for Flounder. This means there’s no need to head deep into the ocean to hook into them. You’ll find them inshore, often available even from piers or in the surf.
Bait
The good news is that Flounder typically eat a variety of things. While they have smaller mouths, that doesn’t mean you run out of options. Small fish such as finger mullet and minnows, as well as crab and shrimp all are favorable choices for Flounder. The most common method of eating for Flounder is to camouflage on the bottoms and wait for bait to stroll by. Once it’s in the perfect position, they’ll quickly strike.
You can also use artificial bait for Flounder fishing in North Carolina. The most productive lures include paddle tails with jig heads, gulp shrimp, jerk baits, and bucktail jigs. Because they have small mouths it will take a bit of time for the Flounder to get properly hooked. So, if you feel a bite, whether live or artificial, wait a little bit before reeling to ensure the hook is in place.
Another point to mention – when Flounder fishing, it’s best to let your bait bounce along the bottom. Flounder will stick to the bottom and wait for the bait to come to them. So, if you’re able to drag it right across the bottom or bounce it right in front of their face, you have a great chance of getting one to bite.
Lastly, you can absolutely use cut bait when Flounder fishing in North Carolina. If it looks appetizing to them and produces a strong smell, they’ll be grateful. Squid is commonly used as cut bait for Flounder and many anglers swear by it!
Fishing Gear
It’ is true that Flounder are tough fighters, but they aren’t very big, so you won’t need any heavy-duty gear. In fact, any basic fishing setup should work as long as the line and leader is reliable.
When it comes to your fishing gear, a 7′ medium spinning outfit will serve you well. The common saltwater spinning setup can be a medium-light or medium-action rod matched with a 2000 or 3000 reel. Using a 15 lb braid followed by a 15 lb leader is a good starting choice. A hook size of 2/0 is a good option as well. If you want to, you can always go a little heavier on your line and hooks if the surrounding Flounder seem to be big. Just remember, the heavier you go, the increased chance they can get spooked by the line and not want to bite.
You can also use a conventional or bait casting reel if you prefer. Anything on the lighter side will be the best choice for Flounder. The same goes for fly fishing. When fly fishing, make sure you have weighted “wet flies” that can sink to the bottom. You’ll need to reach the sandy and grassy bottoms where the Flounder hang out to grab their attention.
Or, you can forego the fishing part altogether. When the season is open, Flounder gigging is another way to get your hands on these tasty critters. This is usually done at nighttime, with heavily lit boats that’ll allow you to see through the water. Once you spot a Flounder you like, it’s all about nailing that gig thrust, and it’ll soon be ready for cooking. Fun, right?
What anglers said about Flounder Fishing in North Carolina
North Carolina Flounder Fishing Spots
The quick answer to the question of where in NC you can catch Flounder is all along its shorelines.
So instead of trying to convince you there’s one spot where these fish will really be biting, we’ll go over a few destinations visiting anglers usually pick as their starting points. Here they are…
Outer Banks
Encompassing a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands, the Outer Banks feature plenty of inshore grounds to cover. The sheltered waters behind the islands are made up of different sounds, inlets, creeks, and salt marshes. These serve as an ideal Flounder habitat.
Outer Banks charter captains are primarily based in places such as Wanchese, Manteo, and Oregon Inlet in the northern part of the region. In the southern OBX, Hatteras and Ocracoke are popular starting spots. Also, although we’re talking about Flounder fishing here, the local waters are also abundant with Redfish, Speckled Trout, and multiple other fish – not to mention the world-class offshore action you can find off the OBX. Why not mix up your Flounder fishing adventure with something else?
Crystal Coast
The Crystal Coast begins just south of the OBX. It stretches from Cape Lookout all the way to the New River. Along this area, you’ll again find diverse salt marshes, flats, and estuaries to explore for Flounder. Its beaches and wild horses roaming them are also a sight to behold, especially when you feel like taking a break from fishing.
Some favored starting spots include Atlantic Beach, as well as nearby Morehead City and Beaufort. Emerald Isle and Swansboro also offer excellent Flounder fishing, along with other inshore species you can find in North Carolina. Finally, there’s Sneads Ferry and its many creeks and bays to wander.
Cape Fear
When the season is open, there’s good Flounder fishing all over North Carolina. However, the best action takes place along its southern part, in Cape Fear. The region is centered around Wilmington. The Cape Fear River, which passes right by the city, is where a large population of Flounder has found its home.
To fish these waters, you can depart from Wilmington itself, or head out of smaller places such as Carolina Beach or Southport. Nearby Wrightsville Beach is also a solid starting point, as it gives easy access to the Intracoastal Channel. Besides Flounder, the inshore waters of Cape Fear are inhabited by Redfish, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, and multiple other species.
When to Go Flounder Fishing in North Carolina
In the Tar Heel State, the recreational regulations for Flounder have been fairly strict in recent years. Anglers usually get a one-month window each year during which they can keep their Flatfish catch.
Flounder fishing in North Carolina is best done during the summer and fall months. This is when the weather starts to shift and it gets to be cooler, and the water temperatures begin to cool down.
Most recently, the Flounder season in North Carolina has taken place in September. When it’s open, anglers are typically able to keep one fish per person per day, with a minimum length of 15 inches. These regulations can change yearly, but usually not in any major way.
The best time of day to go Flounder fishing in North Carolina is with the rising sun in the mornings or the setting skies of the evening. During these times, it’s cooler out because the sun isn’t beaming down through the water. Flounder will come out more when it’s cooler and not so bright out and will be on the search for some food.
Now let’s talk about the tide! The tide is very influential for Flounder fishing in North Carolina for a number of reasons. One, it impacts how they move around. If it’s high tide and the water has come well into shore, the Flounder will make their way closer into the shallow environments. This is especially good for anyone fishing on land. If the tide is low, the Flounder will move further out so they can reach deeper waters and find better habitats to camouflage in and lurk around.
The perfect tide for Flounder fishing in North Carolina is outgoing tides. The reason for this is that the outgoing tides will flush out small crustaceans and bait fish to deeper waters. Flounder sit around quietly and still, camouflaged with their surroundings, and strike on any bait that crosses their path.
North Carolina Flounder Fishing Regulations
Ask any North Carolina angler about Flounder fishing and you’ll likely be met with a dose of frustration because of the stern regulations currently in effect. But what we all hope is that they’ll ultimately yield good results and that recreational rules surrounding these fish will loosen a little in the years to come.
Until then, make sure to check the North Carolina DEQ website for the latest information on Flounder seasons, and size and bag limits. Also, solo anglers will need to buy fishing licenses before setting out, but hop on a North Carolina fishing charter and your captain will cover you with their permit.
Flounder: North Carolina’s Inshore Treat
And there you have it, these are all the basics you should keep in mind if you’re planning a Flounder fishing trip to North Carolina. You’ll have to squeeze in your adventure while the keeper season is open, but you can definitely count on the fish to bite. And while you’re out there, don’t miss out on the Bull Redfish action early fall brings.
Have you ever been Flounder fishing in North Carolina? How do you feel about the current regulations? Hit the comment section below and let us know!
