Southern Flounder

Season in Georgia

Peak months: Sep, Oct.

Reynolds: flounder move offshore to reefs and wrecks in winter and return to creeks as spring water warms. GA DNR winter: flounder numbers drop inshore as water cools. St. Simons guide: fall is the best flounder fishing of the year. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Open, flat bottom where trout and reds gather; creek and ditch mouths on the last of the falling tide (GA DNR, Reynolds). Nearshore reefs and wrecks in winter.

On the bottom along trough edges, close to shore, and near inlets.

What to look for

Sand edges and drop-offs where bait gets swept, mullet schools moving along the beach. Southern flounder have no distinct eyespots; summer flounder show five and Gulf flounder three.

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.

Jighead with a scented soft-plastic shrimp or mullet (Gulp style)1/4 to 1/2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Slow drag and hop on the bottom with pauses; scent does the work.

Gold spoon (weedless style)1/2 to 3/4 oz, 2.5 to 3 in. Slow to medium wobble with occasional pauses near the bottom of the trough.

Bait

Live finger mullet (4 to 6 in), Mud minnows. Carolina rig, 1 to 2 oz egg sinker, 18 to 24 in of 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon, 1/0 to 3/0 hook.

Leader

20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon, 18 to 24 in.

Common mistakes

• Setting the hook immediately on bait (give it a few seconds)
• Fishing too fast; drag it slowly along the bottom
• Losing the fish at the edge; net or slide it, do not lift

Landing

Do not lift a flounder by the line; slide it up on a wave.

Handling

• Sharp teeth

Use pliers; they can cut fingers or line.

Keep or release

Georgia rules apply; see the regulations file.

Recipes for southern flounder

Typical: 12 to 14 in, 1 to 2 lb. Large: 5 lb and up ('doormats'). SC record 17 lb 6 oz (1974).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the GA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Game and Fish (Capt. Vernon Reynolds): Georgia's saltwater mayhem in May (seatrout, tripletail, sharks, flounder) (Angler knowledge)
• Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, Coastlines Dec 2024: Ask a CRD Pro, tips for winter fishing (Official source)
• Orvis fishing report, St. Simons Island GA (Capt. David Edens, Fly Cast Charters) (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR species profile: southern flounder (Official source)
• Fisherman's Post North Myrtle Beach / Little River reports 2025-2026 (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR species profile: summer flounder (Official source)

All the fish of Georgia