If you’re dissatisfied with the cold weather and want to start fishing, you’re probably considering ice fishing. If you live in New England, you’ve got plenty of opportunities just waiting for you. Striped bass are available as early as March and in April you’ll have the opportunity to begin fishing for fluke (also known as winter flounder). The reason they are so plentiful at this time of year is that they are spawning along the coastline.
There have been new restrictions placed on winter flounder due largely to over-harvesting and unsuitable habitats for spawning. This has reduced the winter flounder season to 6 or 8 weeks. But, these 6-8 weeks provide ample opportunity for great fishing.
Unlike summer flounder, you can easily fish for winter flounder with relatively light line (8-12 lbs) and a rod as small as six or seven feet will be adequate. Remember, these fish only range from 2-3 lbs each. Crafting a rig for winter flounder can be as simple or as complicated as you care to make it. Regardless, you’ll have great success provided you use the smaller hooks that are an essential component of successfully fishing for winter flounder. Small hooks and weights (to keep bait at the bottom) help accommodate both the habitat where you’ll find winter flounder and their small, nearly toothless mouths.
Designing a winter flounder rig can be as easy or as complex as you decide to make it. In any case, success is nearly guaranteed provided that you make use of the smaller hooks, which are a vital part of fishing for winter flounder. Small hooks and weights are used to keep bait at the bottom and are adaptable for both the habitat where winter flounder are found and their tiny, practically toothless mouths. Your next step is to combine bait for winter flounder with yellow grubs or beads fastened to the shaft. Winter flounder rigs are well known for their bright yellow bait. Regardless of whether you choose to fish with mussel, sandworms or bloodworms as bait, the bright yellow helps catch the attention of winter flounder.
You should consider chumming when fishing for winter flounder. This is the same whether you’re anchored or you’re fishing from the shoreline. Chumming can help attract full schools of winter flounder and it’s easy to find chum pots. After picking up your chum pots at your local bait and tackle shop, you’ll have all the tools you need to make the most of your winter flounder fishing. Simply tie the pot to a fixed area near the shore or attach it to your boat and before you know it you’ll have plenty of winter flounder available.
If you’d rather cast two or more rods at the same time, you can do so behind the boat, one in the same direction as the current is flowing and the other alongside the boat by the chum pot. This is a very efficient way for you to maximize your day’s catch and the equipment used, a plus for any fisherman.
You have a great chance to catch a large number of winter flounder in fairly shallow water since they have a predisposition of gathering together in areas where they can find food in large quantity. In most instances, the more shallow the water is the warmer it will be, and consequently the more plentiful the fluke’s source of food. As a result, you can typically find a school of winter flounder near areas of sand and gravel that commonly become muddy frequently.
If you’re a saltwater angler, winter flounder is a great way to break back into fishing after a long and cold winter. These delicately flavored fish also help restock your freezer after the winter and before the summer fishing season gets underway.
There are many helpful types of gear that you should consider investing in some of them are Daiwa Poles and Shimano Calcutta Reels, such as the Shimano Calcutta 400B.
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November 25, 2009
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