Flounder in Charlotte Harbor, Back in the 80′s & early 90′s Flounder were a regular catch here. In Fact the Gulf Flounder record was brokenhere 3 time. by 3 guys all with the name Allen. justifiably weird. But in June of 1995 we had 18 inches of rain in 2 hours. and it continued to be rainy for the next few months. the brown fresh water run off extended 6 miles out into the gulf. plants like Sea grass were left dead with no sun light able to penetrate the water. no sun light no plants. since then we had a two year drought and much less over all rain. given the fact we have no rainy season anymore only a Rainier season. Now today 16 years later the flounder are back. Eco nuts blamed boaters for the destruction of habitat but it was nature herself which caused the demise. of our grass flats. why do scientist continue to think 20 years behind. wake up you eco nuts & smell the 2000″s We get our coffee from Starbucks.
After that little rant, It is fair to say Charlotte Harbor has a good population of Flounder now for some reason or another. Which only a deity could possibly answer. But the fact is the Fact the Flounder are back. Some tried and true methods for catching them are in shallow water a float which keeps the bait a few inches off the bottom and a poppin float to wake up the flounder so they see and attack the bait is a good way to go. Bit in the deeper waters & by that I mean over 3 foot a jig head tipped with a live shrimp will get them to eat. Make sure you use a heavier jig head at least 1/2 once or more work it with a lifting motion of the rod tip. & let the jig head bang the bottom. A small could of sand should be kicked up each time the jig head hits the bottom. Hey wake up mister flounder lunch is right here.
The east or seat bars have Flounder on them right now. As well as the inside shore of Boca north of the phosphate docks. I am hoping to wade the flats in front of Ponce to see if any Flounder have found a home there, Surprising me the flounder have been reported hitting good under the 41 bridges.
a last thought is when you fillet a flounder, you get 4 fillets from each fish.
Start by making a cut along the head on one side then slice down the lateral line to the tail, Slowly work the meat off fist on side then the other from the cut you made lengthwise down the fish. turn it over and do the same thing to the other side.
This sounds compliacted but it is a simple T shaped cut . If you have problems call the store and I will help you thur it.
Good luck to you
Frank