Flounder Species information including fishing, gigging and identification

Summer Flounder
Summer Fluke or Flounder

Summer flounder, or Fluke , are distinguished by their large mouth which extends below and beyond its eyes. They are fished May through September.Summer flounder are found in coastal waters from Florida to the southern Gulf of Maine. They inhabit inshore areas during the warmer months, preferring the protection of wharf pilings and eel grass beds. The smaller and medium-sized flounder tend to stay on muddy and sandy bottoms of bays and harbors along the open coastline. The larger fish go to deeper water. Summer flounder migrates to water with depths of 150-500 feet as the cooler weather approaches.They can change color to match the bottom of the ocean on which they are found. They may weigh up to 26 pounds and measure over 37-inches.The meat of the summer flounder has a delicate flavor and texture that can be fixed in a variety of ways; baked, broiled, fried, poached, steamed, or sautéed. Larger fillets can be grilled.

Winter Flounder
Winter flounder is most distinguished by their small mouth. They get their name because they like to move to shallower inshore waters during the winter months. During the summer months, the winter flounder move
offshore to deeper waters. They are found from southern Labrador to the Georgia. They are most abundant from the Gulf of St Lawrence to the Chesapeake Bay. They are generally called “blackback” when they are less than 3 lbs, and “lemon sole” when larger.The female winter flounder may live up to 15 years and grow to weigh about 8 lbs and 25-inches in length.

The fishing season for winter flounder is May through February.

The winter flounder is versatile when it comes to cooking. It does well with sauces, spices, vegetables and fruits. It can be baked, broiled, steamed, fried or microwaved and substituted for other fish in most fish recipes.

Flounder Gigging

Yes, it sounds strange. What is flounder gigging and why would anyone do it? One reason is because it is the only way to really catch a flounder. And it is worth it in the end when that delicious meat is sitting on your plate waiting for you to partake.

Flounder stay on the bottom in mostly shallow waters. They find their spot, cover themselves with dirt so as not to be seen, and lay in wait for their food to come to them. Little do they know, that someone is out on a boat at night with a bright light and a specially designed spear, or gig, looking for them. If you look close, you can find flounder just waiting for you to come and gig them, bring them up on the boat, and take them home. Just remember, they do blend into the bottom of the ocean floor, so you will have to have keen eyes to see them.

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