Capt. Mike Lawson
Capt. Mike is a USCG-licensed charter captain with 20 years of experience guiding on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Every autumn, as the first significant cold fronts begin to sweep across the 3rd Coast, a special event triggers excitement among saltwater anglers: the fall flounder run. This is the time when masses of flounder migrate from the bays out into the Gulf of Mexico to spawn, presenting a unique and fantastic opportunity to catch true trophy-sized flatfish.
Why is This Migration a Big Deal?
The fall run is a special event because it concentrates a huge number of fish into predictable travel corridors. Passes, deep channels, and jetties that connect the bays to the Gulf become flounder highways. This predictable movement and concentration of fish is precisely what makes fall flounder fishing so productive and popular.
Proven Methods for Catching Migrating Flounder
There are two primary methods for targeting flounder during the run: traditional rod and reel fishing, and the exciting sport of gigging at night.
- Rod and Reel: This is the go-to daytime technique. The absolute key is a slow presentation kept directly on the bottom. Dragging a scented soft plastic, like a Gulp! Swimming Mullet, or a live mud minnow along the seafloor is incredibly effective. A great tactic is to cast up-current and let your bait drift naturally along channel edges, drop-offs, and other bottom contours.
- Gigging: Flounder gigging is a thrilling nighttime activity that requires stealth. It involves wading or polling in a shallow-draft boat equipped with a powerful light to spot flounder lying on the bottom, then using a multi-pronged spear (the "gig") to secure them. Focus your search in calm, shallow areas with a sandy or muddy bottom. Always check local regulations, as there are specific rules and seasons for gigging.
Top Lures and Baits for Flounder
- Go-To Lures: You don't need a huge tackle box. A 1/4 oz jig head paired with a 3-inch Gulp! Swimming Mullet in white or chartreuse is the gold standard for a reason. Scented lures give you a major advantage when targeting flounder.
- Live Bait of Choice: Live mud minnows or finger mullet are irresistible to flounder. Hook them through the lips on a Carolina rig to ensure they stay on the bottom where the flounder are looking for a meal.
The flounder run is a limited-time event. Use the 3rdcoast-reeltime forecast to monitor the tides and weather for your favorite spot, and get out on the water to take advantage of this amazing autumn fishing opportunity!