I want to catch some flounder!

Most everyone agrees that flounder were a little "scarce" last year. For a

"recovering species", we sure didn't see as many flounder as we would have

liked. According to some of the biologists working with the DNR, one of the

reasons was the cooler water temperature. The majority of flounder stayed

far out in the ocean between the 20 and 50 fathom line. Cooler water temperatures

gave us some good things though. We had a great run of stripers in August, and

we had kingfish in the surf all summer. But almost everyone I talk to wants to

catch more "keeper" flounder in 2004. If flounder continue to "recover" there is

the "possibility" of a smaller size limit in Maryland. That would help a lot and

make many people happy. Whether that happens or not, only time will tell. We'll

know for sure in the spring.

"What are my best chances of putting some flounder fillets in the freezer?"

The early part of the flounder season usually sees better catches than the "heat"

of summer. Avid anglers get ready in the spring, and some actually follow the

flounder down the coast and start fishing in areas of Virginia's seaside where

flounder start biting approximately two weeks before they start in Ocean City.

Popular seaside flounder locations in Virginia are Great Machipongo Inlet,

Wachapreague, Folly Creek, Metompkin Inlet, Gargathy Inlet, Quinby, Willis Wharf

and Chincoteague. Most of these areas have a boat ramp and parking for the flounder

fishermen. Good charts to buy for these areas that show the boat ramps are the

Saltwater Directions, "Cape Charles Inshore" (Fisherman's Island to Chincoteague Inlet)

and GMCO's map of "Virginia Barrier Islands." These seaside areas of Virginia can

be especially good for flounder in April, May, and June. Flounder can be taken

in the southernmost of these areas in March. But every year is different when it

comes to flounder regulations, so it is important to look up VA regulations at

VMRC (Virginia Marine Resources Commission): http://www.mrc.state.va.us/index.htm.

The first flounder in Ocean City generally show up around the first or second week

of April, but when the flounder first start showing up, they can turn "on" and

"off" with the weather. Flounder fishing becomes more predictable during the

months of May and June. July is usually a good month. Then August comes along

and we sometimes have a "dry spell" as schools of smaller fish abound. Not to

worry though. If it is a decent year and conditions are right, we should see

our share of "keepers." You just have to work hard to find them!

Water temperature

is what flounder fishing is all about in the spring. They need at least 50 degrees

to even think about biting. So if you trailer your boat to Virginia and all you are

catching is skates and rays, the water temperature is too cold. What many people

do not realize is that water temperatures inside a bay can fluctuate over 10

degrees between tides. Cold water comes into the bay on the incoming tide and

is warmed by the sun in the shallower creeks and "guts". When the tide starts

going out, the warmer water flows out of these shallower areas and moves into

the bay. Suddenly the water temperature can go from 48 degrees to 58 degrees,

and the flounder may start biting!

The last of the outgoing tide will see the

warmest water temperatures, and this is one of the best tides in the spring.

(This can be a horrible tide in the heat of summer!) So just remember, in the

early part of the season, fish the outgoing tide. If we have three or four days

of rain and no sun, the flounder fishing can slow right up because we need that

sun to warm up the water in the spring. So if you are planning a flounder fishing

trip, check the weather before making those final plans.

Wind is a "killer" that

ruins many a flounder trip. If the wind blows too hard from any direction over land,

the water can become dirty. If you add rain to this mixture, runoff can ruin your

water clarity. Since flounder are "sight feeders" water clarity is a MUST when it

comes to a successful day out on the water. Perfect flounder conditions would be a

light easterly breeze that brings in clean ocean water. If your fishing trip is in

the early part of the season, you would prefer the sun to be shining. If your trip

is in the middle of summer a light sprinkle or cloud cover will never hurt you, as

long as it is not windy (over 15 miles per hour). A falling barometer will get the

fish feeding. Flounder fishing right before a "front" can be productive, while

flounder fishing right after a "front" can be poor if rain or wind has stirred

up the water. Ocean City's bay area is a big place, but 90 percent of the flounder

are probably caught in 10 percent of the bay.

In the spring, one of the first

"hot spots" is drifting near the Rt. 90 Bridge. On the North side of the Route

90 Bridge, anglers make a short drift between the channel marker there and the

main channel. (The main channel is designated by a green light on the bridge.

Fishing is good here in the spring because the water temperatures are warmer.

The Thorofare is a good flounder area most of the flounder season.

The Thorofare

is located on the west side of the bay just offshore of Captain's Hill. If you are

coming from the north, go under the main channel of the Rt. 90 Bridge and veer right

and head towards the first buoy you see towards the southwest. Follow the buoy

markers (#16 through #6) until you find the area of the Thorofare. If you buy an

ADC Ocean City Visitor's Map for $3.50 you will see the general area called the

Thorofare marked on the chart. Most locals call the deep water between the

bulkheaded houses and the Little Green Island called "Dog Island," the Thorofare."

(It is deep and swift here.) If you butt up to the green island and then drift off,

you will be in some good flounder territory. Anglers also drift along the edge of

the under water shoal just north of the green island if they can get the wind and

tide just right. Fishing these "flats" can sometimes be extremely productive. Other

anglers drift between the buoys #16 to #6. You will find that channels are not very

wide in the Ocean City bay and that short drifts across the channels will produce more

fish than long slow drifts over bottom that is relatively all the same depth. Anglers

in Ocean City try to drift from the green marshes towards the buoys, or between the

buoys themselves. How your drift goes depends on the wind direction and the tide.

Drifting over areas of bottom change will catch you flounder, because that's where

flounder like to hang out!

If you cross under the Rt. 90 Bridge and veer left and

go towards the first buoy marker you see towards the southeast, you will come to

what Ocean City locals call, the "Convention Hall channel." Buoy #13 has a big

osprey nest on top of it. That is usually where the drifting begins and continues

to be good through buoy #9. Offshore of 33rd Street is where a row of townhouses

jut out into the bay. This area was dredged to a considerable depth when the townhouses

were built, and fishing is very good in this area because there are several areas of

bottom depth changes. Another area that has become especially "hot" over the last

couple of years is slightly south of the Convention Hall channel. Local's say it is

where the channel takes a "turn." If you look at the ADC chart the channel looks like

a big "Y" just offshore of approximately 28th Street. One can veer to the left and

head towards the Thorofare or veer right towards Convention Hall channel. If you

veer right, you will see buoys #6 and #8 and a big underwater shoal. Anglers drift

between the buoys or drift from the sand bar into deeper water and do very good here

at times. This is a popular "hole" that the bay party boats "work."

The main east

channel from 14th Street (Harbour Island) to 1st Street (B.J.'s South Restaurant)

is the local's favorite spot to fish for big flounder. Anglers fish this area at

either slack tide. In the fall of the year, the flounder can "stack up" near the

draw of the Rt. 50 Bridge. If we get decent weather, some flounder fishing can be

good until mid-October. Many people pull their boats out after Labor Day (or the first

hurricane scare). You can miss some of the best flounder fishing of the year if you

pull your boat out too early!

Fishing the bay behind Assateague Island is another

"local's secret." Anglers fish the bay just offshore of the Ocean City Airport

(buoys #6 and #8.) Or the anglers go further south and fish between buoys #10 and

#13. Anglers drift between the buoys, or from the green marshes towards the buoys,

or from the sand bars in the middle of the bay towards the buoys. The tide is one to

two hours earlier in the bay behind Assateague.

Though difficult to fish when boat

traffic is busy, the Ocean City Inlet itself gives up some good-sized flounder when

the tide is slacking. (The trick is to get here at just the right time.) Drifting

along the sea wall on the beginning of outgoing tide keeps you out of the traffic

and gives you a slower drift than fishing out in the middle of the channel. On calm

days, anglers drift the south side of the south jetty and catch their share of flounder.

The bay charter boats often work this area; it is a good place to go at low tide in the

middle of summer. The tide runs two hours earlier here. If the back-bay areas

"play out" on an outgoing tide, you can slip out here and get in another couple hours

of good fishing. Good bait is always the key to successful flounder fishing. The usual

baits of "live minnow and squid strip" or "frozen shiner and squid strip" always work.

In the spring of the year, try fresh fillet of mackerel or bluefish.

In the late summer

and fall, break out the cast net and catch live alewives, spot, or finger mullet, and your

chances of catching doormats are increased 10-fold. Large fillets of fresh spot, bluefish,

or lizardfish can also catch you a whopper. Fishing offshore near wrecks such as the

African Queen or drifting the first through third lumps at the Bass Grounds will also

catch nice flounder almost any part of the season. Fillet of bluefish, mullet, spot,

or the usual combination baits of minnow or shiner with squid strip will work. A whole

calamari (small squid) hooked through the tail also will catch you a doormat

offshore.

Everyone has a favorite rig for flounder. Single long leadered rigs

generally catch the largest fish. Many anglers like to dress up their rigs with

bucktail on the brass and spinner blades. White and chartreuse are the most popular

colors. Pink is a good color in the spring. If you don't have a boat, fish the Rt. 50

Bridge, the inlet itself, the Oceanic Pier, 9th Street Pier, and the bulkhead from

2nd though 4th Streets. Ocean City has plenty rental boats and also some very

experienced bay charter boats. You'll find them all listed in the "Coastal Fisherman."

To sum it all up, to have your best chance to catch more flounder, fish the tides.

Fish low and outgoing tides in the very beginning of the season. The rest of the year

you'll do best on the higher tides. Fish three hours before high tide and two

hours after high tide. Remember that the bay behind Assateague has an earlier

tide as does the inlet and south side of the south jetty. If you have to fish

low tide in the heat of summer, fish the inlet, the main east channel near First

Street, or the south side of the south jetty. Always have plenty of the freshest

bait you can find, and don't be afraid to combo it up to make the bait look larger.

(Bigger bait-bigger fish.) Try to find large live bait in the fall, such as alewives,

spot, and finger mullet. If possible, fish on a falling barometer and when the water

is clear.

Avoid the day after a major storm or blow. Watch and listen to the weather.

Always fish areas of bottom changes and depth changes. Fish deep edges of

sand bars or green marshes. Drift between land and buoy markers or drift

between buoy markers. Take short drifts and work with the wind and tide as

opposed to long non-planned drifts. And if you have a boat and live in or

near Ocean City, put it in early and leave it in past Labor Day!

Good fishing. . . Sue Foster is an outdoor writer and co-owner of Oyster Bay Tackle in Ocean City and Fenwick Tackle in Fenwick Island, DE.