The 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30 in internal and ocean waters of North Carolina. The minimum size limit will remain at 15 inches total length, and the creel limit will be 1 fish per person per day during the open recreational season.
Can you catch flounder in the Cape Fear River?
In Southeastern North Carolina, the Cape Fear River, a rich and beautiful blackwater river recognized for its very large flounder population, flows 191 miles all the way to the Atlantic Ocean where it empties near Cape Fear.
What month is the best time to catch flounder?
The best time to catch flounder is during their fall migration to the Gulf, typically from October to December, in the channels and passes leading to the Gulf. Flounder may be caught using rod and reel but most people prefer gigs.
What is the flounder season in North Carolina for 2022?
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.
What fish are in the Cape Fear River?
The Cape Fear River provides good fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and American and hickory shad. Spring is the peak season for catching largemouth bass in the river. Largemouth bass up to 8 pounds have been caught in the river but usually range between 1½ to 3 pounds.
What are flounder biting on?
Best Baits and Lures for flounder: The best live baits for flounder are croaker or mullet. For strip baits, he likes bluefish, squid or the belly of a gray trout or croaker. When fishing artificials, his go-to list includes Berkley Gulp!, swimming mullets and spinnerbaits, such as the Strike King Redfish Magic.
What bait is best for flounder?
Using live bait is essential for many flounder (fluke) fishermen around the country, and can be extremely effective for picky flounder (fluke). Shrimp, crabs, smaller flounder, sardines, shad, mullet, and mud minnows can all be great options for live bait.
Where is the best place to find flounder?
Where is the best flounder fishing?
Montauk, New York. As the location of the current world-record catch, perhaps Montauk is the granddaddy of all fluke spots. The waters off the eastern tip of Long Island have structure and baitfish populations that attract huge numbers of 3- to 10-pound fluke, with occasional fish weighing in the teens.
How do you rig for flounder?
Is it legal to gig flounder in NC?
The state’s recreational flounder season for gigging and hook-and-line fishing runs from Thursday to Sept. 30. The catch limit has been lowered to one fish per day with a minimum size of 15 inches. Last year, anglers could keep up to four fish per day.
Is flounder season open in North Carolina?
MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.
Can you eat fish from the Cape Fear River?
Eating Safe Fish From Our Waters. Eating fish caught locally in the Cape Fear River is popular as ever, but may not be as safe as in times past. One outgrowth of studying this is a celebration of safe and tasty ways to enjoy the catch.
Does Cape Fear River have alligators?
The Cape Fear River watershed is an incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem, home to a wide range of plant and animal life, including ancient cypress trees, alligators, otters, black bear, a large variety of birds and a host of fish species.
Do you need a license to fish on the Cape Fear River?
Fishing The Cape Fear River – Cape Fear River Assembly. Randleman is a 3,007 acre reservoir on the Deep River. Its a relatively young reservoir, which opened in 2010. The lake is owned by Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority and fishing is allowed by permit only.
How do you fish for flounder in NC?
Fishing tips: Anglers catch summer flounder with standard bottom rigs or specialized flounder rigs using cut bait, shrimp or live minnows. Anglers have also had luck with small bucktail lures and jigs. Summer flounder can be caught by surf fishing, drifting in inlets, trolling or fishing from piers.
How many flounder can you keep in Virginia?
A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four summer flounder.
How do you tie a Carolina rig for flounder?
- Cut a length of leader line that is 24 inches long.
- Tie your barrel swivel to one end of the leader line and your hook to the other.
- Slide the egg sinker over your main line, followed by the bead.
- Finally, tie your main line to the remaining side of the barrel swivel.
What size hook is best for flounder?
A 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook is a good size for summer flounder fishing, where a traditional J-hook would be size 1/0.
What tide is best for flounder fishing?
The outgoing high tide is the best tide to catch flounder. Flounder rely upon the outgoing tide to bring them shrimp, crabs and fish to their hidden ambush points. They like to hide in strategically located spots that will make it easy for them to catch their prey as the tide brings the food right to them.
What is a flounders favorite food?
Summer flounder eat a mixed diet of fish and invertebrates throughout their life. Larval and post-larval flounder feed on zooplankton (tiny floating animals) and small crustaceans. Juveniles eat crustaceans and fish.
What colors do flounder like?
PRO TIP: Remember that white and chartreuse are the only colors or color combinations that you need to know. Flounder are not too picky but they definitely like those colors the best. Give them what they want.
Will flounder take lures?
Lure choice: in my harbour the flounder seem to prefer worm imitations, with other options like crab or prawn type lures being ignored. With enough patience and luck I’m sure they could be tempted with any small lure, the trick is to find one that is awake and switched on, then they will take anything.
Why is flounder hard to find?
“When the pandemic hit, the boats came in and didn’t have a place to sell. We worked hard to find them places to sell, after we did the cutting and packing. I know flounder was a bit tight this week. Some weeks it’s plentiful and prices are lower; sometimes it’s harder to get, and prices inch up.”
Can you catch flounder at night?
Yes, they do bite a night. You will find them on the edge of lights (ambush style). Most of your larger fish are caught during the day.