Live Bait for Flounder, A few questions Options

[richmondva]

I have a few questions for those of you who are using live spot and croakers for flounder. Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.

1. What size and style of hook are you using?
2. Where are you hooking the bait?
3. What type of rig are you using? Fishfinder, 3-way, etc...?

Thanks,

Tommy

[matt721]

I use a 3/0 or4/0 khale hook on a about a 3 or 4 foot leader a 3 way swivel and a short drop to a weight. i also hook the bait from the top of the mouth out the bottom

[Tony S]

Drop a PM? to Craig ..... board name Paige II Charters, he's the best when comes to Flounder fishing ( ). He'll give you good advise also. He's the guy in the blue shirt.

[BillyBoy]

I have a few questions for those of you who are using live spot and croakers for flounder. Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.

1. What size and style of hook are you using?
2. Where are you hooking the bait?
3. What type of rig are you using? Fishfinder, 3-way, etc...?

Thanks,

Tommy

Small bait - 1 or 1/0 Kahle hook, big bait - 4/0 Kahle.
I pass the hook in the upper jaw out between the nostrils. If I go through the nostrils, I find that they sometimes come off the hook.
I usually use a 3-way with 2' leader for the hook, 8"-10" for the sinker. I used to use a single line with a dropper loop, but I eventually got tired of having to re-tie the whole thing after breaking off on a snag.

[fish on]

I prefer gold colored hooks, either 2/0-6/0 depending on the size of bait. I use 1 inch to 8 inch long Spots. Same for Mullet, Minnows, Croaker, Sand Perch, Sand Fleas, and whatever other bait I am using. I usually use a drop loop rig when fishing inshore at Rudee, Lesner, Great Neck... and off of the beach because the bite is directly felt before the weight. 90% of fishing this rig allows for you to determine if you are hung up, or if Mr. Flatfish is buried in the sand and you can encourage him to either suck up the bait, or bite farther up the body of the bait and you feel that "Instant" quick sharp grab of the bait. In deep water though this is almost impossible to determine because of line stretch, current...

One lesson learn t years ago is that once a Flounder has hit your bait (fish over 18 inches) he is not going to pass it up. He will hold it in his mouth for up to 2 minutes without the slightest movement (unless in strong current), and this is the point when 98% of the fisherman loose the fish because they accredit the bite to a crab or a snag and jerk the bait away force ably from the fish. A very good way to determine if you are snagged or have a fish is to put slight pressure on the rod tip and watch for either a slight tug/pullback, or a slow and steady surge as the fish attempts to rebury itself into the sand or move back behind the place it was laying in or behind. By plucking your line like a guitar string will cause the Flounder to think the bait in it's mouth is panicking and the Flounder will devour the bait quickly in an attempt to keep the meal from escaping.

A traditional double drop rig (Like a Spot Rig) works excellent in deep water just attach a heavier leader with large hooks on it. Tight Lines.

[richmondva]

Thanks for all of the info. I really appreciate it.

[YoungGun11]

I prefer gold colored hooks, either 2/0-6/0 depending on the size of bait. I use 1 inch to 8 inch long Spots. Same for Mullet, Minnows, Croaker, Sand Perch, Sand Fleas, and whatever other bait I am using. I usually use a drop loop rig when fishing inshore at Rudee, Lesner, Great Neck... and off of the beach because the bite is directly felt before the weight. 90% of fishing this rig allows for you to determine if you are hung up, or if Mr. Flatfish is buried in the sand and you can encourage him to either suck up the bait, or bite farther up the body of the bait and you feel that "Instant" quick sharp grab of the bait. In deep water though this is almost impossible to determine because of line stretch, current...

One lesson learn t years ago is that once a Flounder has hit your bait (fish over 18 inches) he is not going to pass it up. He will hold it in his mouth for up to 2 minutes without the slightest movement (unless in strong current), and this is the point when 98% of the fisherman loose the fish because they accredit the bite to a crab or a snag and jerk the bait away force ably from the fish. A very good way to determine if you are snagged or have a fish is to put slight pressure on the rod tip and watch for either a slight tug/pullback, or a slow and steady surge as the fish attempts to rebury itself into the sand or move back behind the place it was laying in or behind. By plucking your line like a guitar string will cause the Flounder to think the bait in it's mouth is panicking and the Flounder will devour the bait quickly in an attempt to keep the meal from escaping.

A traditional double drop rig (Like a Spot Rig) works excellent in deep water just attach a heavier leader with large hooks on it. Tight Lines.

I only use heavy power pro when fishing flounder in deep(+50ft) water, its the only way to feel that tricky bite. Ditto on the pulling on them and waiting for them to pull back, they're not going to drop that tasty little spot unless you give them a reason to. I got burned a lot last year being impatient, thinking I was hung on the bottom or just setting the hook too soon, brought back far too many 6-8" spot which had rake marks or obvious signs of being half swallowed, following a premature hook set.

I love this post FYI, can't wait to try that guitar string trick out. . .

[Marrdro]

I only use heavy power pro when fishing flounder in deep(+50ft) water, its the only way to feel that tricky bite. Ditto on the pulling on them and waiting for them to pull back, they're not going to drop that tasty little spot unless you give them a reason to. I got burned a lot last year being impatient, thinking I was hung on the bottom or just setting the hook too soon, brought back far too many 6-8" spot which had rake marks or obvious signs of being half swallowed, following a premature hook set.

I love this post FYI, can't wait to try that guitar string trick out[color="#FF0000"][/color]. . .

Might have to do a little pickin myself. Makes sense.

[Lucian aka Fishi...]

Lots of great advice.. Sounds like most have been covered..

There is a meeting of the Norfolk Anglers Club on Monday 7/13 at 7 pm
Location Martin's Restaurant on Bayview Blvd near Tidewater Dr.
Louis Glaser will be talking on live baiting flounder and if you know Louis, he tells all...

We had Craig Paige last year and he always gives an excellent presentation. It's nice to see varied approaches, I know I've learned a lot from fishing with Louis from time to time as well as listening to Capt. Paige.

Hope you CATCHEM UP!!