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Overview

How to target

Flounder
Species ID: flounder

Flounder

Common in UK estuaries and brackish lower rivers, flounder patrol muddy and sandy ground, channel edges, creek mouths, slipways and harbour walls. Shore sport is most reliable in a...

🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: onshore 📅 Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec

Best tide

flood

Moon

neap

Season

Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec

Wind

onshore

Max weight

2.5 kg

Day vs night

Day 80%
Night 60%
Common in UK estuaries and brackish lower rivers, flounder patrol muddy and sandy ground, channel edges, creek mouths, slipways and harbour walls. Shore sport is most reliable in autumn and winter, with fish pushing up on the flood and spreading onto banks and margins; the first of the ebb can also produce, but neap tides often make presentation and holding bottom easier in narrow estuaries. Aim for coloured water and gentle onshore winds. Use light estuary tackle: running ledger or two-hook flapper with size 2–4 Aberdeen hooks on 30–60 cm snoods, 10–15 lb main line and 15–20 lb leader. Leads of 2–4 oz are usually enough; watch leads help in slow flows. Add beads, sequins or a small spoon to create flash and vibration. Best baits are ragworm (including maddies), lugworm, peeler/soft crab, mussel and prawn/shrimp; small cocktail baits tipped with a sliver of mackerel or squid can toughen the hookbait. Cast short along channel edges, inside bends, near moorings and pier piles, or into shallow surf at river mouths. Move the rig a little every minute—flounder often follow and take as the bait twitches. They tolerate cold water and can be present year-round, but bigger bags are typical October–March. Typical size is 0.3–1 kg, with occasional larger fish. Handle with wet hands and unhook carefully before release if not keeping.

Temperature

5–18°C

Depth range

0.2–10 m

Baits

  • Ragworm 9.5/10
  • White Rag 8.6/10
  • Blow Lug 8.2/10
  • Peeler Crab 7.2/10
  • Casting Spoon 5.5/10

Rigs

  • Long & Low 9.2/10

    Long snood presents small worm/crab baits tight to the seabed and wafting naturally—perfect over clean sand/mud for flounder. Sensitive to shy bites; great on surf beaches and estuary mouths.

  • Running Ledger 8.8/10

    Minimal resistance lets flounder mouth the bait. Ideal in estuaries/harbours and gentle tides; bait drags along the bottom with flow. Fish size 2–4 hooks with rag/lug/maddies or peeler.

  • Two-Hook Flapper 8.2/10

    A reliable scratching rig for covering ground at short to mid range. Two small baits add scent and find fish in channels/gutters on clean ground. Adjust snood length to match tide pace.

  • Loop Rig (Portsmouth Loop) 8/10

    Clips for distance yet fishes both snoods on the deck—great when flounder sit beyond the first breaker. Keeps small worm baits streamlined for casting, then drops them to the sand.

  • Wishbone Rig 7.7/10

    Two close baits create a concentrated scent patch and flutter that draws inquisitive flounder. Best on clean sand/mud in light tide with rag/lug or small sandeel tips.