When flounder fishing with hook and line, many anglers prefer using a jig with a plastic tail that resembles a shrimp
or minnow.  Live or cut bait can also be utilized with a jig head, as can an effective additive such as Cotee's Tippit
or Bait Shapes product.  Some anglers prefer a slip sinker rig when using live shrimp or baitfish.

When using the slip sinker rig cast your bait and let it sit on the bottom for a couple minutes.  If you don't detect a
pickup lift the rod tip and let it sit again.

If a flounder picks it up you will feel the line being pulled slowly out, give the flounder line so it doesn't feel the
weight of the sinker.

This is the hard part, don't set the hook instantly, give the fish time to get your bait into its mouth.  A count of thirty
is usually a long enough time, before you take up the slack in the line and set the hook.

Even though it can put up a stiff battle when hooked, light tackle is the order of the day when targeting this fish.

The most practical outfit in this situation is probably the same spinning rod already being used for trout. Certainly
six- to 10-pound test line is sufficient providing the reel's drag system is set properly.  If using live or cut bait
without a jig, a 1/0 hook is sufficient.

Anglers might also consider using a short piece of leader material between the line and hook because the fish has a
comparatively large mouth containing two rows of sharp teeth. And, since bottom habitat might contain coarse sand,
shells, rocks, barnacles, or other obstructions, a regular inspection for line abrasions is advised.

Even though fishing techniques are rudimentary, a flounder's feeding habits are not. First and foremost remember
that it is a predator that lays in wait to savagely and swiftly ambush a meal before settling again to the bottom and
awaiting its next victim.

Because they are likely to be spread about over a fairly wide area, boaters are generally better off to drift the
mouths of inlets, bayous, rivers,and the edges of channels rather than anchoring.  Other likely haunts include piers,
bridges, channel markers,and various fixed objects where the bottom may stir up bait fish due to current
alterations.

Old-timers used to draw flounder to anchored boats by churning the bottom with a dragging anchor,long poles, or
clam rakes.  Others spelled success by chumming.

Here again, anglers will learn that doormats are apt to be found in shallow waters during an incoming tide and in
deeper waters during the ebb.

Spawned in offshore waters, flounder hatch from eggs which drift into estuaries.  After emerging from the egg, the
tiny fry swim upright and have a "normal" eye on each side of the head. Within a short time, however, one eye
"migrates" to the opposite side as it rapidly assumes an attitude of a flatfish with both eyes atop its head.