Gulf Flounder

Season in Southern NC

FishOS's Myrtle Beach chart for this species (same Carolina beach type, about 60 to 150 miles south) carried north with slightly cooler water: NCEI averages at Wrightsville Beach are 52 to 58 F December to February and 78 to 83 F June to September. NCDMF: Gulf flounder are found nearshore on rocky reefs and inshore. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Nearshore artificial reefs and wrecks out to about 60 ft (Pawleys Reef, 3-Mile Reef, Myrtle Beach Rocks); a boat fish more than a beach fish.

On the bottom right on top of nearshore reefs and wrecks.

What to look for

Three dark eyespots in a triangle on the eyed side.

What to throw

Bucktail or jighead with a 4 to 5 in paddle tail1/2 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in tail. Slow hops along the bottom: lift, drop, let it touch, repeat.

Bait

Live mud minnows, Small live mullet. Carolina rig: 1/2 to 3/4 oz egg sinker, 12 to 16 in of 20 to 30 lb mono leader; or a jighead.

Leader

20 to 30 lb mono, 12 to 16 in.

Common mistakes

• Drifting off the reef instead of staying on top of it

Landing

Net it.

Handling

• Strong canine-like teeth

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

Good eating. NC has a short, changing flounder season; check NCDMF.

Recipes for gulf flounder

Typical: About 14 in, 2 lb. Large: About 5 lb. SC record 6 lb 4.8 oz (Murrells Inlet, 2021).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

Sources

• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: flounder (Gulf, southern, summer) (Official source)
• Carolina Sportsman: Gulf flounder on nearshore reefs, Murrells Inlet (Angler knowledge)
• Florida FWC: Gulf flounder profile (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)

All the fish of Southern NC