Question about flounder Bite on Alligator Pt. Mud Flats

[Midwest2South]

A couple days ago at low tide, my buddy and I waded out into a mud flat at Alligator point.

We were using gold spoons, and I caught a 16-inch Flounder that I took home for the dinner table, and I foul hooked a smaller flounder that I released.

With very cast of the spoon we had a fish on that fought pretty good but after a few seconds it would drop the bait.

Does this mean that they were all flounder and the hooks we were using were too large for their mouths? What kind of rig is best to use flounder?

Sorry if this is such a newbie question, but I'm new to the area from Wisconsin, so I don't know some of the basics. I absolutely love fishing around here, it;s so much more exciting than many of the species I'm used to catching up north.


Any tips or spots would be appreciated. I would really like to catch a Red or a Trout next, and I'm looking to buy a used fishing kayak.. so if anyone has a hook up on one of those contact me (bowen067@gmail.com).

Thank you for the knowledge.

-Matt

[Allnighter]

Im no expert on the flatties by I do know that have a hard time trying to eat something moving fast like a spoon. As for what was tapping you bait there is really know telling pinners do that a lot but they stay out of the mud for the most part. For somebody that is new to the area using a gold spoon is a great idea because it allows for a little wiggle room in the not get hung-up department. Plus everything will eat a gold spoon. Welcome to the area.

[Midwest2South]

True. I was just wondering why they would catch on the spoon and fight for 5 seconds and then drop the bait. I'm thinking the hook was too small. but otherwise we had a fish on every cast. i knpow this is shameless but if anyone wants to take me out on their boat feel free, I'm new to the area and have no hookups for boats....

[skitterwalk]

The "Strike King redfish magic" and just the Jig and paddletail on the back of the redfish magic catches me some monster flaties! Usually just a 1/4 oz jighead with a softplastic paddletail is what I fish with tho. Try em both.(Wally World has em)

[CairoTrout]

First of all don't go to Wally World. Go to a local sporting goods store! And all you need is a white or glow Gulp 5" jerk shad and a pink jighead, mainly a 1/4 oz or 3/8 oz if the water is deeper or tide is flowing fast. Fish very very slow. If he is there he will hit it. Good luck

[wevans]

Stop at Crum's mini mall in Panacea, he'll have everything ya need "and at a good price"
I don't fish for the flatties, but there are plenty of Reds and Trout off of Bald Point

[Midwest2South]

Thanks all. This is great advice. I'm looking into getting a kayak soon here to get access to some better spots and oyster bars.. Shore fishing is great but I really wanna get out on the water and go for a red or trout! Still looking/researching the right kayak to get for my needs and budget.

[skitterwalk]

Yes my bad shop at local tackle stores they would really appreciate it PLUS you get MUCH better service and advice. Just ask the Staff. They will usually point you in the right direction.

[woopty]

Stop at Crum's mini mall in Panacea, he'll have everything ya need "and at a good price"
I don't fish for the flatties, but there are plenty of Reds and Trout off of Bald Point

I'm amazed at the prices at Crum's.
They beat any price I have found online for the gear I want.
Always try to hit them or Angie's when we head that way.
Kevins and Blind Eye in town.

Always had the best flattie luck using mud minnows.

[Midwest2South]

How large can these flatties get around here? The two I caught were my first ever, and the keeper was about 16"...

[RayMalloy]

Most are in the teens, but over 20 inch are not hard to find. Mud minnows or a 5 inch mullet are the ticket, but white plastics on a red/pink jig are good too. And the fish dropping your spoon, you have to sharpen the point of gold spoons with a small file, you can paint the tip with clear nail polish to keep it sharp, but gold spoons are dull new and will not dig in. That place is also full of small reds (16 inch) that will grab spoons and run in circles with them and then spit them at you.

[Midwest2South]

Good to know! I Wouldn't mind catching some over 20". Like I said, I was surprised at how good eating a fish these are. Still have to cross Reds and Sea trout off my list though... Really looking forward to getting out next!

[Midwest2South]

Good to know! I Wouldn't mind catching some over 20". Like I said, I was surprised at how good eating a fish these are. Still have to cross Reds and Sea trout off my list though... Really looking forward to getting out next!

[bbb]

This 20 inch fish had a 7" croaker in his belly. I also had a 15" flounder with a 4.5" croaker in his belly.

A flounders mouth is plenty big enough to grab a spoon an it's soft enough to get hooked.

[Joe]

Here is a 12" flounder that tried to make a meal outta my stretch 30 trolling for grouper last fall...