Southern Flounder

Berkeley Gulp Swimming Mullet and 3-inch Gulp Shrimp rigged on 1/8 to 1/2 ounce jigheads depending on depth and current. DOA CAL 3-4 inch shad with paddle tails, shrimp-tipped feather jigs, and weedless gold spoons. White and chartreuse are the most productive colors, with natural combinations being secondary choices.

Spring through early fall, avoiding the October-December spawning migration period.

Fish slowly along the bottom with a bounce-bounce-pause retrieve, keeping lures within 18 inches of the substrate since that's the flounder's strike zone. Cast parallel to grass lines, dock pilings, and oyster bars, working the lure up-current and letting it drift naturally back.

Their diet consists primarily of small fish (89-94% in studies), with anchovies being particularly favored, plus shrimp, mullet, menhaden, and croakers. As they grow larger, they don't eat bigger prey but consume more small fish.

Gulf Coast's saltwater and brackish environments. These fish are euryhaline, tolerating salinities from 0-36 ppt, and can be found from pure freshwater far up coastal rivers to full-strength seawater.