Paralichthys albiguttata
Extremely flattened body with both eyes on the left (top) side. The eyed side is olive-brown to gray with various dark and light spots and blotches — colors shift to match the bottom substrate. The blind (bottom) side is white. Wide, tooth-filled mouth designed for ambush predation.
Females grow significantly larger than males. Males rarely exceed 14 inches, while females can reach 25+ inches. Most large flounder encountered are female.
Average catch is 14-18 inches (1-3 lbs). Keeper size ranges from 12-14 inches depending on state and species. "Doormat" flounder exceed 24 inches and 5+ lbs. The Gulf Flounder record is about 6 lbs. Southern Flounder reach 20+ lbs. Summer Flounder (fluke) record is 22 lbs 7 oz.
Drifting live bull minnows (finger mullet or mud minnows) on a Carolina rig or knocker rig along sandy channel edges and drop-offs is the most productive method. Bounce a 1/4-3/8 oz jighead with a live minnow or Gulp! swimming mullet along the bottom near structure transitions (sand to mud, channel edges). "Flounder gigging" at night with underwater lights is popular in shallow bays. In passes and inlets, fishing the outgoing tide with live bait near the bottom produces the largest fish.
Medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads or Carolina rig with 1/0-3/0 wide-gap hooks. Patience is key — flounder often mouth the bait before committing, so wait for the second thump before setting the hook.
Size and bag limits vary significantly by state and between Gulf Flounder, Southern Flounder, and Summer Flounder species. Fall closures are common during spawning runs. Check local regulations.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
Florida · Northeast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
South Carolina · Lowcountry
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Virginia · Eastern Shore
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Florida · Nature Coast
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Maryland · Chesapeake Bay
Virginia · Eastern Shore
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Space Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Florida · Panhandle
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Panhandle
Texas · Upper Coast
Texas · Upper Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Nature Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Northeast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Keys
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Louisiana · Southwest Louisiana
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Keys
Florida · Southwest
Texas · Mid Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
South Carolina · Grand Strand
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Southwest
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Florida · Space Coast
Virginia · Hampton Roads
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Maryland · Ocean Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
Alabama · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Panhandle
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Florida · Panhandle
Texas · Mid Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Texas · Mid Coast
Texas · Mid Coast
Florida · Southwest
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Maryland · Chesapeake Bay
Texas · Lower Coast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Florida · Southeast
Texas · Upper Coast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Tampa Bay
Maryland · Chesapeake Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Virginia · Hampton Roads
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
North Carolina · Cape Fear
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