Winter Flounder Rigs

[IrishAyes]

Yes, it stirs up the bottom releasing tiny bits and morsels for the winter flounder to munch on.  Or so I have been told.   

[gottog]

Have seen people use poles even with a plunger attachment at the end, bouncing sash weights, etc.  Stirring up the bottom releasing small critters like shrimp and worms making a natural chum slick.

Painted sinkers do the same thing on a smaller scale and the color adds a little additional attractant.

[fishinsurfer]

I have found that pounding the bottom with sash weights, poling with a plumger etc. works best when you get those times when there is zero current and still calm. Gets our flat friends interested and out of the mud to see whats causing a commotion. When the current is running, the chum pot brings em in best.
Capt. Rick

[Skolmann]

Not too long ago we used to put together a nice catch of flounder by drifting (you had to have almost no wind to get the desired slow drift) behind the clam rakers that work the flats off Atlantic Highlands & Leonardo. The clammers would stir up the bottom and create a natural chum slick.

On a side note, anyone else subscribe to the theory that the milder the winter the poorer the flounder run & the colder the winter the better the flounder run? Just my feeling that if we don't get some colder weather along with a few accummulating snow falls the water temps will slowly rise & by the time the season opens (Easter Sunday March 23) the flounder could already be out of the mud and moving. Especially in the rivers.

[fishinsurfer]

Interesting Skolmann - Since I have been making the runs to the West to fish for flounders (started when my local area completely stopped holding flounder), I have noticed that the colder the winter, the better the fishing would be in the back of Raritan to
start. Seem like last winter was pretty mild except for one cold stretch. We had good fish
all the way in the back, and also in the back
of J-Bay. I guess only the fish know LOL.
My season does not start until April 1st. So I
as glad NJ starts earlier, hopefully I can get a read on where the bite is. That is if the weather is condusive for opening day.
Capt. Rick

[Capt -Jerry P]

i agree skolman...

our best fishing used to be the first couple of weeks of march in shark river but in the mansquan it peaked in april every year..... the warmer the water the quicker they get out of there or big rains

when the fall used to be open we caught nice big flounders in shark river and the would catch them again in the beg of march..... then as the season progressed you would catch the little males which stay longer and tended to be the end of the run...same in late april /early may in the manasquan.

i think the kind of run you get is independent of the weather.... if its a great run # wise then more will be around even if it is warm winter

fall used to be a good judgement of run you get

   

[bassnblues]

Not too long ago we used to put together a nice catch of flounder by drifting (

A couple of years ago, I trailered the boat to Montauk in Oct for some Striper and Albie fishing. The wind came up and we couldn't go out. Found out that there's a good flounder fishery in Montauk harbor and that's how everyone out there does it..drifing for flounder. This was a completely crazy idea to me but we tried it and got a few nice ones.

[tomc76]

Yellow Plasti Dip - anyone know where to find??
Been to two Depots and one Lowes the last two weeks on other buisness, but always checked to see if they had it. I've only seen Red & Black........

[IrishAyes]

I have been looking too.  Can't find yellow.  I did get yellow powder paint from Harbour Freight.  It was about $5.50 for a 10ounce container.  I did a dozen 2,3 and 4s with it.  Came out pretty good. 

I used a heat gun that I also purchased from Harbout Freight for $10.00   Heat for less than a minute and dip the sinker. 

[Sam3]

I posted this earlier guys,

But I found the yellow an the local Ace hardware. If you have one nearby, go in to check and if they don't have it, have him/her get it for you.

[tomc76]

All right then, looks like Ace is the place

[mgm]

Found a can of Plast-Dip in the tool section of my local Ace hardware. 25 days til the opener!
 

[tomc76]

Ace was the place..... 

[ReelErIn]

this is back from the old days throw small white stones the ones you buy in a plastic bag.
around the boat.

[IrishAyes]

Yup, throw them at the boat that pulls right up to you and anchors.    J/K, sounds like it should work as an attractant.

I checked 3 Ace Hardwares in my area before I finally found the yellow plasti-dip stuff. Thanks for the tip on Ace Hardware.

I put two coats of the plasti-dip stuff on some 2,3 and 4 ouncers.  I'm all ready to go.  I also have the sinkers I powder coated, will use both and see what holds up better.   

[njdevil]

Anyone ever fish for winter flounder off the Keyport fishing pier? How did you do and what type of bait did you use? Never fished for them before but I would like to give it a try. Thanks for any help!!


NJDEVIL

[blynch]

7'0 baitcasting rod- light action.  I use a Tsunami rod and a Corvalus (shimano) reel, 12-17.b test.  I like a weight w/ a hole in the middle, 1 1/2 oz, or a 3way rig.  Here's my hook... 

[Skolmann]

Anyone ever fish for winter flounder off the Keyport fishing pier?

Not off the Keyport Pier but I have had good success in the past off the Spy House/Port Monmouth Pier.

[catfish hunter]

this is back from the old days throw small white stones the ones you buy in a plastic bag.
around the boat.

I remember those days ,my ole man used to send me around to parks to fill a bucket up w/ rocks ,they worked in shallow water

[ChrisL]

Do the inlets (Manasquan and Barneget) produce winter flounder from shore?  Or are winter flatties more of a from the boat deal?