UTERFlounder fishing in Florida's Big Bend
In Florida's Big Bend, flounder peak April–May and October–November and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. October: Creek mouths and channel edges on the falling tide.
Creek mouths and channel edges on the falling tide.
Flounder in Florida's Big Bend, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeak
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberArriving
- OctoberPeakCreek mouths and channel edges on the falling tide.
- NovemberPeakTrout and reds move toward the rivers; grouper closes end of month. Follow the fish toward the creek and river mouths as the fronts start. Last of the shallow gag fishing before the closure.
- DecemberAround
Where to fish flounder near Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River
A hundred miles of undeveloped coast: vast turtle-grass flats, limestone rock piles and ledges in ten feet of clear water, spring-fed rivers, oyster bars and salt marsh. No passes, no barrier islands — the Gulf just starts.
Fish Scouter charts 95 pass / inlet, 55 dock / pilings, 2 beach / surf spots in the The Big Bend & Nature Coast map area — the kinds flounder hold on.
What to use for flounder
- Mud minnows (killifish)Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder bait.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Leader20–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook1/0–2/0
- Jig head1/4–1/2 oz
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 54–82°F water, best at 60–75°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch flounder in Florida's Big Bend?
Peak season is April–May and October–November. Flounder are here year-round. October: Creek mouths and channel edges on the falling tide.
Where do flounder hold in Florida's Big Bend?
Look on channel edge — around Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Homosassa.
What is the best bait for flounder in Florida's Big Bend?
Live bait: mud minnows (killifish), finger mullet, live shrimp, pinfish. Mud minnows (killifish): Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder bait. Tackle: leader 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook 1/0–2/0, jig head 1/4–1/2 oz, braid 10–20 lb.
What are the rules for flounder in Florida's Big Bend?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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All about flounder · The Big Bend & Nature Coast, the whole year