Flounder

Name:

Flounder

Other Names:

Fluke

Characteristics:

Flounder is an ocean-dwelling flatfish species that is found in coastal lagoons and estuaries of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

There are a number of geographical and taxonomical species to which flounder belong.

Western Atlantic
Summer flounder - Paralichthys dentatus
Southern flounder - Paralichthys lethostigma
Winter flounder - Pseudopleuronectes americanus

European waters
European flounder - Platichthys flesus

Off the coast of Japan
Olive flounder - Paralichthys olivaceus

Fish Habits:

Flounder ambush their prey, feeding at soft muddy areas of the sea bottom, near bridge piles, docks and coral reefs, and have been also found at the bottom of the Mariana trench, the deepest known ocean canyon.

Their diet consists mainly of fish spawn, crustaceans, polychaetes and small fish. Flounder typically grow to a length of 12.5 cm to 37.5 cm (5 to 15 in), and as large as 45 cm (18 in). Their width is about half their length.

Fishing Tactics:

Look for flounder wherever baitfish congregate. Fish locations where flounder wait to ambush their prey such as drop-offs, inlets, piers or docks.

Bait your hook with a live fish. You can use cut fish, too, but flounder prefer live bait. Some lures work on flounder including spoons and jigs.