Trying out flounder gigging from my flat bottom boat and was wondering how skiddish flounder are. I will have a very small genny on the back pushing 2 500watt lights and a buddy on the front. Is it even possible or will the noise scare them before you you can see them in the lights? Also, I have a very quite 4 stroke outboard, do you think it would be possible to putt putt with the motor and gig? Should I plan on bringing gear for walkinging and gigging? Thanks!

Hey FishZilla,
Flounder are not skiddish at night under a light. You didn't mention what size rig you have, but my guess is you are going to be running to fast to see them. Plus, one of you will be sitting in the back of the boat and can't help watch. Try it and see how it works. That's how we learn, but I'd be prepared to walk.
Wayner

That might work. Definitely bring some gear for walking. We would always bring lanterns and take turn pulling the boat. Good Luck

I gig from my 16' jon boat. I'm in FL, but it's going to be the same. I use Starfire II shrimp lights and run them off of a battery. Use a separate battery for the trolling motor. As said previously, they aren't skittish at all at night. Quite often I've literally trolled right over their head, stopped the trolling motor and used the gig to push myself backwards, and sure enough, they are still sitting right there, never even flinched.
My friend has taken up bowfishing, which he does for flounder, sheepshead, and black drum. He mounted a 100w halogen aviation light to his bow and pretty much what the light is looking at is what he's aiming at. Pretty cool, something different to think about. I stick to gigging, I can't shoot worth a [censored].

Under the conditions you have painted, I would plan on walking. Have never heard of anyone using an outboard to push their boat while floundering. Think the noise would be too loud and don't think you could go slow enough. Now, under normal conditions out of a boat with an air motor and lights, it won't bother them at all; unless they haven't got bedded down and are still moving around in general. Went this past Saturday and there was several occassions where we didn't see the flounder until the last second and the boat went right over the top of them. Stopped the boat with our gigs, poled back around behind them, and they were still sitting in the same place.