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Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder

The Southern Flounder is the largest flounder species in the Gulf of Mexico and the most important flatfish in Texas coastal waters, accounting for over 95% of the state's flounder harvest.

They're highly adaptable fish found throughout Texas coastal waters from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward, inhabiting saltwater, brackish water, and even freshwater environments including coastal rivers and bayous up to 100 miles up the Mississippi River.

Scientific Name: Paralichthys lethostigma

Physical Characteristics:

These left-eyed flatfish are laterally compressed with both eyes on their left side and a brown coloration with diffuse, unocellated spots.

Females grow significantly larger than males, reaching up to 25 inches and sometimes exceeding 30 inches, while males seldom exceed 12 inches.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

Found throughout Texas coastal waters from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward, inhabiting saltwater, brackish water, and even freshwater environments including coastal rivers and bayous up to 100 miles up the Mississippi River.

Key Locations

Top Texas locations include Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, Sabine Lake, Laguna Madre, Trinity Bay, East Bay, and numerous coastal passes and channels.

Specific Spots

Target them around jetties, oyster reefs, docks, channels like the Intracoastal Waterway, and passes during spring and fall migrations. Young flounder seek shallow grassy areas near Gulf passes before moving into bays, coastal rivers, and bayous. Best gigging in back bays with cord grass shorelines and slightly silty bottoms.

Southern Flounder FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Southern Flounder in Texas?

The most effective lures are Berkeley Gulp Swimming Mullet and 3-inch Gulp Shrimp rigged on 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jig heads, with white and chartreuse being the most productive colors.

When is the best time to fish for Southern Flounder in Texas?

The fishery is closed from November 1-December 14, with the season running December 15-October 31. Prime time is during fall migration from October through December.

How do you catch Southern Flounder in Texas?

Fish baits extremely slowly along the bottom, as flounder won't chase fast-moving lures. The key technique is a slow retrieve with occasional bounces every 5-10 feet, keeping lures within 18 inches of the bottom.

What do Southern Flounder eat?

Southern Flounder are ambush predators. Juveniles feed primarily on crustaceans, but as they mature, fish become increasingly important in their diet, including anchovies, mullet, shrimp, menhaden, and croakers. In Texas studies, 89% of their diet consisted of fish in Lake Pontchartrain, with 41% being anchovies.

Where do Southern Flounder live in Texas?

Found throughout Texas coastal waters from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward, inhabiting saltwater, brackish water, and even freshwater environments including coastal rivers and bayous up to 100 miles up the Mississippi River.

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