I was reading the regs on Gamefish in preps for a fishing trip tomorrow and was SURPRISED to find that flounder are not classified as game fish. Therefore its LEGAL to use strips of flounder belly for bait.

wow, that's a first! I never knew that. Can anyone else verify this?

2009-2010 TPWD Outdoor Annual pg. 32 Definitions Game Fish, does not list flounder.

They are not classified as a 'game fish' because you can take them by other means than rod & reel...gig, etc.

what does this mean? You can use a 14" flounder for bait?

That's how you can gig them

No, he means the white flounder belly meat for bait.

It is supposed to be the best flounder bait you can use. You cut strips of the white flounder belly meat and you can use it to tip your baits or just fish it like that. I have never used it but heard it makes for the best flounder bait you can use. Either that or sea robin belly meat, but I have no idea where you would even find a sea robin or catch one.

Yep, caught two sea robins last trip on the flats. About 2' of water on free lined 3" new penny gulp. Seems like I'm the one to catch the wierd stuff, 3' stingray on a suspending cork bait, sheephead on salt assasin, all in the bay. Sea robin looks as though it should be handled carefully, two prominent spikes behind the eyes.

Really? Cool, I guess catching odd stuff can be fun and interesting. I've never really caught anything odd besides a small stingray.

I've never caught or even seen a sea robin. Just a picture of one. I know I read the sea robin belly meat makes the best flounder bait of all.

I think the eyes on 'sea robins' are such a beautiful blue...for a fish, that is. Another one with beautiful eyes are the puffers.