Flounders are a flatfish that live in the sea. They feed on the bottom for fish spawn, crustaceans, polychaetes and small fish. The flounder capital of the world was Massachusetts, until the 1980s pollution levels depleted their population in the Boston Harbor. Flounder can be fished all around the world.
      You can find flounder from the North Atlantic of Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico near Texas. All you need to catch flounder is a saltwater medium action rod and reel with a 20 pound test line. Use a one to four ounce sinker at the end of the line. About six inches up from the sinker, rig one hook on a 16-inch leader. About eight to ten inches up the line, rig a second hook shorter, so they don't tangle. Use live minnows or squid, cut into strips; they are great baits for catching flounder.
      The best flounder fishing is in the the summer, along the Jersey shoreline. This is where most of the flounder have been caught. If you don't have a boat, try one of the many party boats with four, six and eight hour trips. You can get the tackle you need at Cape May and Wildwood areas. During early spring the best place is the Chesapeake Bay. The flounder can be found in back bays and deep water sloughs. In the Gulf of Mexico, the best time for flounder fishing is October through December, during their migration. They can be found feeding around jetties or oyster reefs.
      Flounder can be fished for in many ways. Just remember that flounder does not continuously swim; they tend to stay near sources of food. Grab your rod and reel and try your luck at some flounder. You may find out you enjoy this great tasting fish.