Jacksonville, FL Fishing Reports
Capt. James Howard
January 14, 2008
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
Flounder Gigging North Florida Capt. James Howard
I would like to share a little of my knowledge and passion for Flounder gigging. If you have never done it you should really give it a try….
I started gigging as a young kid with my father. We would walk the shallows with a wash tub and a lantern. It was very interesting to say the least and always productive. But times have really changed.
This past year was one of the best I can ever remember. We had lots of limits and quite a few large Flounder. My son gigged his two biggest this past fall. 6 and 8 pounds, he has been stoked every since then.
One of the main things for a successful gigging trip is Very clean water. If you can’t see you can’t gig. I have four under water lights on my boat and a spot light to shine up on the edges in a few inches of water. Most of the fish are in a foot or two of water but don’t think they want get right up on the edge.
I like to go when the tide is low real early in the morning and catch the first of in coming. The water seems to clean up a little better then. Always ease along with the tide using your gig to poll the boat. When you see one that is clearly the right size then take your time getting in position. The Flounder will usually not move unless you touch them. I use a three prong nine foot gig. Also you need to try to stick them just behind there eyes.
Once you stick them it is best to hold them down for a few seconds and then twist them up out of the mud and into the boat. If you happen to lose one after you gig them take a few minutes and look around in the same area. Nine out if ten times they will move just a few feet away and lay back down and you can find them again. It is easy to tell the size of the Flounder so don’t just stick anyone you see. The legal size limit is twelve inches.
I try to make my clients take shots at Flounder that I know are at least fourteen inches. It is like another world in the back waters at night. You see all kinds of fish. Lots of Reds but you can’t gig them. Also Drum and Sheepshead which you can gig if they are of legal size.
Hope you enjoy some of these Flounder pictures
Till next time:
Capt James Howard Jacksonville Florida (904)651-9557
Some times on a big Flounder it is best to get out of the boat and grab the gig from under the fish to lift him in the boat.
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