Have been fishing salt during the Spring, Fall and Summer for many years but haven't really been focused on flounder. Caught them here and there but my wife sure has developed a taste for them since our last trip to Port Aransas. I would like some tips on catching them around that area. I know they are more present at different times of the year but I would appreciate info. for any time of the year as I am now more flexible to make runs to the coast. Have used mud minnows and Berkely gulp (Mullet) fished on BillyBays Flounder Fanatic jig head but not a lot of luck.' Reds and whiting. Fished structure around the Lydia Ann, Surf, Jetties and back towards the marina but no luck.

I don't fish Aransas, but a flounder is a flounder, right? My preferred flounder fishing is done on a falling tide in marsh drains where there is moderate current pushing bait. Something light in weight that will move a bit with the water flow when it's hopped on the bottom. A sixteenth or eighth ounce head is plenty, depending on current. You might have to try more than one drain but when you find the right one they'll be stacked in there. The larger ones are most likely to be found on the outer edges where the current may eddy a bit, out of the main push of current, and even a bit farther out from the drain. Fish slow and don't be impatient with the hook set. When you feel that thump just tighten up the line a little and feel things out........you'll know when to hit him. Flounder are not afraid of a bait with some tension on it and are famous for hanging on all the way to the boat before letting go. Gulp is good, as is any plastic of moderate size. A good gel attractant smeared on there will often make them hold it longer if it's not Gulp. Generally dark colors since it's bottom bouncing but that will vary with water clarity.

I concur with Buc's post.
They do prefer live bait, but Gulp has been the ticket for me for years now. ( I've even caught them on rattle traps and slab spoons.....so you never know.)

If you want to see how far they'll chase a bait and how many will chase it, there are some great underwater youtube videos on the subject. It's actually pretty funny to watch them. Some arent the brightest fish you've seen...lol !

And yes, I've had huge ones right at the boat who werent actually hooked....simply let go of the bait.

So give it time to get the bait positioned in it's mouth before lifting your rod tip.

Thank u both! Hadn't thought of rattletraps but the sound and vibration is certainly there. I have watched some flounder/fluke videos where they chased bucktails for way longer than I imagined they ever would.

Whenever I go to the Port A jetty, I always try casting shrimp tails, Gulps or other soft plastics in the shallow surf near the base of the jetty along the rocks for flounder. Obviously, they are not always there, but when they are they can be thick and you can get several nice sized fish.

Flouder are dead suckers for sand eels. Tequila has been the preferred color on a 1/8 oz oldham screw lock head.

When I'm targeting flounder it's tied straight to braid (20 lb) and I use a VERY stiff rod. Why? When a flounder clamps down on a jig, you gotta have some pop in the hookset to move the jig inside their mouth to penetrate the hook. Soft rods will make them swim up and give you your jig back.

Think "funnels" when you're looking for flatties.