Gigging Flounder

[kgarner1]

Havent done it since I was a kid... anyone do any gigging at night in the area? Tips or advise greatly appreciated

[SS-342]

Good post. Hope you get lots of replies!

[Steve Stinson]

I've rigged some detachable lights on my boat and given it a try a few times with limited success. It's a little more frustrating that fishing, mainly because there a few extra factors thrown in that all have to be right -

1. water clarity - Not good with all this rain we've been having.
2. wind - Hard chop stirs up the water.
3. schedule- Staying up all night floundering takes a lot longer to recover from than a long fishing trip. (At least at my age).

I will probably continue to go a few more times and see if I can increase my success rate, but if it doesn't begin to pay off I will stick around the house in the evening with my rum and cigars.

- Steve Stinson

[KLONG]

Dale (BBB) should chime in . He is the flounder king. He will give you some tips.

[jslorenz3]

I haven't done it around here. I have done it on the East Coast in Flagler Beach. I don't have the necessary equipment up here with me to do it.

How we do it at home:
We take construction lights and mount the to the bow of the boat using a PVC pipe so that the lights are hanging under the front of the boat. We tie a string to the cleat so that when you are under power, you can tie them off to hold them up and use them for headlights. When you get to your spot, undo the ties and they point down into the water. We use a "quiet" Honda generator to run the lights. It's loud at first but you get used to it quickly.
We use a two sided pole, about 12 feet long. One side has and PVC "T" piece on it for push poling. The other end has the gig. Works well to have both on one pole so that you aren't switching back and forth.

As for this area, I have seen some boats going out from the lighthouse when I've come in around sunset or just after. Some of my friends have gone from the Lighthouse and used spotlights instead of construction lights. Just make sure you know where you are going, because rocks seem to become larger at night. If you go to the Lighthouse, just make sure that you are through the gate at the refuge by 9:00 when it closes. You will be able to make it out after that, but not in.

I'd like to do it up here, just haven't gotten the set up for it.

[mbweimar]

I've been wanting to do this for a long time. My old boat had HID's I could point down in the water, but it was too small to gig from. Gotta wait till I get lights on my new boat then I'll go out and give it a try.

[Reel Addiction]

As KLONG said, BBB (Dale) is the Man when it comes to gigging flounder. I have been with him many times and he knows shat he's doing. Do a BBB search and you can pull up many of his helpful tips. The one hint I can provide is you need to be able to light up the water to see them. Good luck and post your results!

[kgarner1]

WHEN/IF the water clears I am going and will post results and thanks

[bbb]

6- 150 watt HPS lights $300
Stainless Steel railing $400
Honda Generator $850
Gigs $200

Knowing where and when to go ............priceless.

This setup....


Plus 5 years of trial and error......(year 1 average 3-4 fish. year 2 average 7-8 fish. year 5 average 15-20 fish)

Will result in nights like this.....

























If you can stay awake........

[bbb]

Clear water and bait will lead you to the fish.

Dirty water and stingrays will lead you to a desert.

[MudDucker]

Clear water and bait will lead you to the fish.

Dirty water and stingrays will lead you to a desert.

Showoff!

[SS-342]

Man-O-Man.......you can do it!

Congratulations and thanks for the pictures!