I've not caught any good fish(Flounder or any other good fish) since last year(I only got a single flounder that year), I always ride to my fishing area on bike and always come home empty handed. I've tried shrimp and all I get are annoying pinfish and croakers. I've tried artificial lures like spoons,plastic, and bucktails(which gave me a flounder but lost while trying to land it) what can I do to improve my fishing?

Maybe I'm in at the wrong tide or at the wrong hour.

What kind of water, bay, tidal creek, canal, etc. are you fishing or is available to fish? What kind of structure is available? Are there dropoffs, reefs, pilings, grass beds, etc?

I like your mix of lures. You might add a topwater like a superspook jr or she dog and learn the walk the dog technique ( YouTube videos will show this). Topwaters are easy to cast a long way, resist getting hung up on bottom structure and are good for searching water to pinpoint fish. You can vary your retrieve on your soft plastics and spoon, slow and steady, slow jigging action, faster and steady, faster jigging action, etc.

It can be tough if you have just a small area to fish and nothing in particular by way of structure or current to attract predator fish like flounder, trout, or reds. Oyster beds are a proven fish attractor ( and lure snagger). Casting along edges of shell reefs and keeping your lure near the bottom is a good way to put fish on your line. Moving water around any change of bottom structure and depth is a place to focus on. Flounder love to get close to pilings and shell areas or against banks or bulkheads with moving water.

If you can give more detail about the spot without giving your spot away that could help in making a plan.

Tidal movement is key for fish. They actively feed and move around all the time but when a tide is moving the bait is dislodged from hiding spots and fish ambush the bait where the water carries it. Where you are fishing there must be some kind of water movement to see fish constantly. Check to see if the wind is blowing toward the bank you are fishing. This will push bait up to the shore where you are drawing in fish to eat them and for you to catch. Good luck!

Don't stop peddling until you see actual signs, mullet, birds (especially pelicans), something giving you a clue there is life under the surface.

Lots of good info here.....keep at it and good luck

+1 kickingback and Pat Goff. Great information. I would like to add using a search bait like a topwater while you're searching to find activity. Blowups are as important as catching fish. Fish aggressively. Don't stop until you find fish.

My spots is in the galveston Bay area,thank you all for the helpful tips.

Wasn't much, but caught my first redfish two nights ago, it was 10"inches long, and caught on dead shrimp, and released back into the water. He gave a big tug, but he lost the fight quick. Now I have a new goal, an even bigger redfish!

I was going to run a Carolina setup for flounder. Does anyone know of a recommended weight for fishing with a inshore medium UglyStik rod. It's rated for 1/16 to 5/8. Or should I simply run a jig head with some type of gulp shrimp? Thanks for any insights.

Bruce, flounder like moving bait usually, unless the Carolina rig drifts past them. I can toss 2oz easily with a Med Shimano Voltaeus, although it shines with about 5/8oz-1oz. The UglyStik should be the same.

Learn the different ways and conditions for using a plastic shrimp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze7ZxGoVdOM

Like PatGoff, Karstopo, and Kickingback's said: Tides, Conditions, and Signs are the key.


If you're after Reds, Specks, and Flounders, you should consider getting these DVDs.
www.troutsupport.com

Tobin's DVDs help immensely and will tell you what, where, when, and most importantly, Why.

Study fly fishing.