If you’re dissatisfied with the cold weather and want to start fishing, you’re probably considering ice fishing. If you live in New England, you’ve got plenty of opportunities just waiting for you. Striped bass are available as early as March and in April you’ll have the opportunity to begin fishing for fluke (also known as winter flounder). The reason they are so plentiful at this time of year is that they are spawning along the coastline.
There have been new restrictions placed on winter flounder due largely to over-harvesting and unsuitable habitats for spawning. This has reduced the winter flounder season to 6 or 8 weeks. But, these 6-8 weeks provide ample opportunity for great fishing.
Different from summer flounder, you can effortlessly fish for winter flounder with fairly light line (8-12 lbs) and a rod as short as 6-7 feet is sufficient. You should keep in mind that these fish only weigh around 2-3 lbs!
Designing a winter flounder rig can be as easy or as complex as you decide to make it. In any case, success is nearly guaranteed provided that you make use of the smaller hooks, which are a vital part of fishing for winter flounder. Small hooks and weights are used to keep bait at the bottom and are adaptable for both the habitat where winter flounder are found and their tiny, practically toothless mouths. Your next step is to combine bait for winter flounder with yellow grubs or beads fastened to the shaft. Winter flounder rigs are well known for their bright yellow bait. Regardless of whether you choose to fish with mussel, sandworms or bloodworms as bait, the bright yellow helps catch the attention of winter flounder.
Chumming is another successful means of fishing for fluke, whether you opt to fish while anchored in a boat or from the shoreline, and this method attracts large schools of winter flounder. To have all the equipment you need to take full advantage of your winter flounder fishing event, just pick up your chum pots at a local bait and tackle shop. You need simply attach the pots to a nonflexible object near the shoreline or secure them to the boat.
If you’d rather cast two or more rods at the same time, you can do so behind the boat, one in the same direction as the current is flowing and the other alongside the boat by the chum pot. This is a very efficient way for you to maximize your day’s catch and the equipment used, a plus for any fisherman.
Since winter flounder tend to congregate in areas where they can find plenty of food, chances are good that you’ll find them in fairly shallow water. The more shallow the water, the warmer it is and the more food that will be found. If you’re near an area of sand and gravel that turns to mud regularly, you are sure to find a school of winter flounder nearby.
Fishing for winter flounder is an extraordinary way for you to enjoy fishing during the long and bitter winter months, especially for saltwater fishermen. These palate-pleasing fish are also an exceptional means of restocking your freezer between fishing seasons.
There are many helpful types of gear that you should consider investing in some of them are Daiwa Rods and Shimano Calcutta Reel, such as the Shimano Calcutta CT 400B.
