Flounder Fishing
on the Alabama Gulf Coast

A nice-sized flounder will put up a good fight. It is among the best tasting fish in the sea. They are also plentiful. For those reasons flounder is one of the most targeted species of fish on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The best flounder fishing on the Alabama coast is in the passes during October and November. Little Lagoon Pass at West Beach in Gulf Shores is a great place to catch flounder during these months.

At Little Lagoon Pass there are usually enough fisherman to keep one company, but not so many that it detracts from the fishing.

The seawall at Perdido Pass is also good at times. The seawall is easy fishing. You can fish right behind your car.

The same rod and reel that you use in the lakes and rivers at home is adequate for flounder fishing. Be careful though; get it soaked in saltwater and you will probably have to throw it away when your vacation is over.

The best bait is bull minnows. Hook them through the lips. Bull minnows catch more flounder, but many fisherman prefer jigs. Live shrimp isn't the best bait for catching flounder, but many fishermen, including me, like to fish with shrimp because of the wide variety of other fish that can be caught while fishing for flounder - like white trout, speckled trout, bluefish, redfish, ladyfish, and pompano.

With live bait, don't set the hook as soon as you feel a bite. Let the fish run with it for 10 - 15 seconds, then set it hard. That seems like a long time, but flounder don't hit as aggressively as most saltwater species. They take their time chewing the bait. Occasionally as you are pulling the fish in it will simply open its mouth and disengage the hook. Some of those times when it drops to the sea bottom it will sit there awhile rather they swim off. Drop a hook in front of him and he might just take it again. Seems weird, but that's flounder fishing.

Fishing for flounder with jigs is easy. Just toss it and real it in slowly, with an occasional "twitch." With artificial bait, you will feel a drag that might make you think that you have caught some debris. When you feel this drag wait a few seconds and then set the hook hard.

Flounder fishing is fun. Most people reading this are looking for information to get started catching flounder. The best way to start is to visit a local tackle shop. Buy some live bait, or ask for some lure recommendations - maybe both. If you're near Gulf Shores hit those places I recommended.

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