Southern Flounder

Season in Middle Texas

Peak months: Oct, Nov.

Port Aransas tourism: flounder October to December; Visit Corpus Christi: best in the fall migration, October to December, with a fall harvest closure. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Bay channels, passes and the Port Aransas jetties, best in the October to December run (Port Aransas tourism).

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

Excellent eating (LSU). Texas fall closure November 1 to December 14 (TPWD); 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 TX limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Port Aransas and Mustang Island Tourism: fishing (species season and bait table, piers) (Angler knowledge)
• Visit Corpus Christi, Jacqueline Gonzalez, Aug 28, 2026: top fish species to catch in Corpus Christi (Angler knowledge)
• TPWD species profile: southern flounder (Official source)
• 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 Middle Texas