Taggin' some Flatties

After hangin' with Sammons and not getting any personal footage of the flounder action, I went to the HRBT the next evening to remedy that.  I got there at the beginning of the incoming tide and quickly found them hungry and aggressive.

I ended up with 8, going 19", 18.5", 21.5", 15", 17", 14", 16.5", and 17".  All were tagged and released except the 16.5"er (flopped out before tagging) and one of the 17"ers got gut hooked.  I try not to take too long before setting the hook since flounder are notorious for completely woofing down the lure/bait (especially smaller lures), just as much as they are known for soft lipping a bait before eating.  If I were using big 2oz jig heads and 6"-7" Gulps at the first island I may wait several seconds after the initial hit before setting the hook, but with 3"-4" lures I wait about 2 seconds.  If it's one of those days that I start off swinging and missing, then I'll add a few seconds before setting the hook.  I'd rather be a little early than gut hook a fish. Anyway, this 17"er was different.  I felt it hit at the top of my jig (when my rod tip is at it's highest) and by the time it got to the bottom, the lure was already down the hatch.  I didn't have a stringer or cooler in the car, so Jared (near by kayak angler) was the recipient of a nice keeper flounder.


Another thing flounder are notorious for is violent thrashing and flopping once they are landed in the kayak.  For the bigger flatties, I utilize the rod pod as what Kevin emphatically likes to label...  "the hurt locker".

They can also be tricky when trying to get a decent pic.

(Enjoy the goofy facial expressions)