Setting Up Your Surf Flounder Rig for Success: Insider Tips

Insider Tips for Surf Flounder Fishing Success

Surf flounder are a popular saltwater fish that can be caught from beaches and jetties along the coast. They are a relatively easy fish to catch, making them a good target for beginners. However, there are a few things you need to know in order to be successful. In this article, we will provide you with insider tips on how to set up your surf flounder rig for success!

Surf flounder are bottom-dwelling fish that feed on small baitfish and crustaceans. They are most active during the early morning and evening hours, and they can be caught using a variety of bait and lures. Flounder are a popular target for recreational anglers because they are good to eat and relatively easy to catch. However, there are a few things you need to know in order to be successful in surf fishing.

In this article, we will provide you with insider tips on how to choose the right rod and reel, how to tie a flounder fishing rig, how to bait your rig, how to cast and retrieve your rig, and how to hook and land a flounder. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to catching your first surf flounder!

Table of Contents hide

1 1. Choosing the Right Rod and Reel

2 Tips for Choosing the Right Rod and Reel for Surf Flounder Fishing

3 2. Tying a Flounder Fishing Rig

4 Tips for Tying a Flounder Fishing Rig

4.1 Tie 2 or More Hooks to the Line

4.2 Attach a Sinker to the Middle Swivel

4.3 Finished Rig Description

5 3. Baiting Your Rig

6 4. Casting and Retrieving Your Rig

7 5. Hooking and Landing a Flounder

7.1 What is the best time of day to catch flounder?

7.2 What is the best type of bait to use for flounder?

7.3 What is the best size hook to use for flounder?

7.4 What is the best type of rod and reel to use for flounder fishing?

7.5 What is the best way to set the hook when a flounder bites?

1. Choosing the Right Rod and Reel

The right rod and reel combination is essential for surf flounder fishing. The rod should be 7 to 8 feet long with a medium action. This will give you the power to cast your bait a long distance and the sensitivity to feel when a flounder bites. The reel should be capable of holding at least 150 yards of 10 to 15-pound test line. This will give you the line capacity to fish in deep water and the strength to land a large flounder.

When choosing a rod, it is important to consider the type of surf flounder fishing you will be doing. If you will be fishing from a beach, you will need a rod that is long enough to cast your bait a long distance. If you will be fishing from a jetty or pier, you can use a shorter rod.

The reel you choose should be able to hold enough line to fish in the depth of water you will be fishing. It should also have a smooth drag system to prevent the line from breaking when a flounder bites.

Once you have chosen the right rod and reel, you are ready to start fishing for surf flounder!

Tips for Choosing the Right Rod and Reel for Surf Flounder Fishing

Choose a rod that is 7 to 8 feet long with a medium action.
Choose a reel that is capable of holding at least 150 yards of 10 to 15-pound test line.
Consider the type of surf flounder fishing you will be doing when choosing a rod.
Make sure the reel you choose has a smooth drag system.

2. Tying a Flounder Fishing Rig

There are a few different ways to tie a flounder fishing rig, but the most popular method is called the ‘High-Low Rig.’ This rig is simple to tie and effective for catching flounder.

To tie a High-Low Rig, you will need the following materials:

3-way swivel
2 barrel swivels
2 hooks
Weight

Instructions:

Thread the 3-way swivel onto the main line.
Tie a barrel swivel to each of the remaining two eyes of the 3-way swivel.
Tie a hook to the end of each of the barrel swivels.
Slide the weight onto the middle swivel and tighten it in place.

When finished, the rig will have two hooks hanging from the swivels, with the weight hanging below the swivels.

The High-Low Rig is effective for catching flounder because it keeps the bait close to the bottom, where flounder feed. The weight on the bottom of the rig helps to keep the bait in place, and the two hooks give you a better chance of hooking a flounder.

Tips for Tying a Flounder Fishing Rig

Use a strong line that is appropriate for the size of flounder you are targeting.
Use sharp hooks that are the right size for the bait you are using.
Tie the knots securely to prevent the rig from breaking when you cast it or when a flounder bites.
If you are using live bait, hook it through the lips or back to keep it alive longer.

Tie 2 or More Hooks to the Line

To tie two or more hooks to a fishing line for flounder fishing, you will need the following materials:

3-way swivel
Barrel swivels
Hooks

Instructions:

Tying Hooks directly to the 3 way swivel: 1. Start with 100 feet of your preferred fishing line, tie one end onto the top eye of the 3-way swivel. 2. Thread a weight onto the bottom eye of the swivel and tie it off, this will be the

Attach a Sinker to the Middle Swivel

To attach a sinker to the middle swivel of a flounder fishing rig, simply slide the weight onto the swivel and tighten it in place. The weight will help to keep the bait close to the bottom, where flounder feed.

The size of the weight you use will depend on the depth of the water you are fishing in and the strength of the current. If you are fishing in deep water or in a strong current, you will need to use a heavier weight.

It is important to make sure that the weight is securely attached to the swivel. If the weight is not attached securely, it could come off when you cast the rig, which could cause you to lose your bait and rig.

Tips for Attaching a Sinker to a Flounder Fishing Rig

Use a weight that is appropriate for the depth of the water you are fishing in and the strength of the current.
Make sure that the weight is securely attached to the swivel.
If you are using a weight that is too heavy, it could cause the bait to sink too quickly and land on the bottom, where flounder are less likely to find it.
If you are using a weight that is too light, it could cause the bait to drift away from the bottom, where flounder are more likely to find it.

Finished Rig Description

When you have finished tying your flounder fishing rig, it will have two hooks hanging from the swivels, with the weight hanging below the swivels. The hooks should be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart.

The weight will help to keep the bait close to the bottom, where flounder feed. The hooks should be baited with live or fresh cut bait.

Tips for Finishing a Flounder Fishing Rig

Make sure that the hooks are sharp and the knots are tied securely.
Use a weight that is appropriate for the depth of the water you are fishing in and the strength of the current.
If you are using live bait, hook it through the lips or back to keep it alive longer.

3. Baiting Your Rig

Flounder are bottom feeders, so they are attracted to bait that is close to the bottom. The best bait to use is live bait or fresh cut bait.

Live bait

Live bait is the best choice for flounder fishing because it is more natural and active than fresh cut bait. Flounder are attracted to the movement and smell of live bait.

Good live bait options for flounder include:

Mud minnows
Finger mullet
Small pinfish

Fresh cut bait

Fresh cut bait is a good alternative to live bait, especially if you are fishing in an area where live bait is not available. Flounder are attracted to the smell of fresh cut bait.

Good fresh cut bait options for flounder include:

Squid
Anchovies
Menhaden

Baiting your rig

To bait your flounder fishing rig, simply hook the bait onto the hooks. If you are using live bait, hook it through the lips or back to keep it alive longer. If you are using fresh cut bait, cut it into small pieces and hook it onto the hooks.

Tips for baiting your flounder fishing rig

Use fresh bait. Flounder are more likely to bite fresh bait than old or spoiled bait.
Use a variety of bait. Flounder are not picky eaters, so they will eat a variety of baitfish and crustaceans.
Keep your bait close to the bottom. Flounder feed on the bottom, so it is important to keep your bait close to the bottom.

4. Casting and Retrieving Your Rig

When casting your flounder fishing rig, be sure to cast it out into the surf and then reel it back in slowly. The bait should stay close to the bottom as you retrieve it.

To cast your rig, hold the rod in one hand and the reel in the other hand. Grip the line with your index finger and thumb, and then swing the rod back over your shoulder. As you swing the rod forward, release your index finger and thumb to release the line and cast the rig.

Once you have cast your rig, start reeling it in slowly. Keep your rod tip pointed down towards the water to keep the bait close to the bottom. As you reel in the rig, jig the bait up and down to attract the attention of flounder.

Tips for casting and retrieving your flounder fishing rig

Cast your rig out as far as you can. This will give the bait more time to sink to the bottom and attract the attention of flounder.
Reel in your rig slowly. Flounder are more likely to bite a bait that is moving slowly and naturally.
Jig the bait up and down as you reel it in. This will attract the attention of flounder and make them more likely to bite.
Be patient. It may take some time for a flounder to find your bait and bite. Just keep casting and retrieving your rig until you catch a fish.

5. Hooking and Landing a Flounder

When a flounder bites your bait, you will feel a light tap on your line. Set the hook by lifting the rod tip up sharply. Once the hook is set, keep the rod tip up and reel the flounder in steadily.

Flounder have a soft mouth, so it is important to set the hook quickly and firmly. If you set the hook too gently, the flounder may be able to shake the hook out of its mouth.

Once the hook is set, keep the rod tip up and reel the flounder in steadily. Do not try to horse the flounder in, as this could tear its mouth.

As you reel in the flounder, be careful not to let it get too close to the boat or shore. Flounder can easily jump out of the water and escape.

Once you have the flounder in the boat or on shore, you can remove the hook and release it back into the water, or you can keep it for dinner.

Tips for hooking and landing a flounder

Set the hook quickly and firmly.
Keep the rod tip up as you reel in the flounder.
Do not try to horse the flounder in.
Be careful not to let the flounder get too close to the boat or shore.

What is the best time of day to catch flounder?

Flounder are most active at dawn and dusk, so these are the best times of day to fish for them.

What is the best type of bait to use for flounder?

Live bait is the best choice for flounder fishing, but fresh cut bait can also be effective.

What is the best size hook to use for flounder?

The best size hook to use for flounder is a size 6 or 8.

What is the best type of rod and reel to use for flounder fishing?

A medium-action rod with a reel that can hold at least 150 yards of line is a good choice for flounder fishing.

What is the best way to set the hook when a flounder bites?

When a flounder bites, set the hook by lifting the rod tip up sharply.

Quiz

True or False: Flounder are bottom feeders.
What is the best time of day to catch flounder? (a) Midday (b) Dawn and dusk (c) Nighttime
What is the best type of bait to use for flounder? (a) Artificial lures (b) Live bait (c) Cut bait
What is the best size hook to use for flounder? (a) Size 2 (b) Size 6 or 8 (c) Size 10
How should you set the hook when a flounder bites? (a) Lift the rod tip up sharply. (b) Reel in the line slowly. (c) Jig the rod up and down.

Answer Key

True
(b) Dawn and dusk
(b) Live bait
(b) Size 6 or 8
(a) Lift the rod tip up sharply.