Flounder Fishing in Bristol

Muddy estuary mark; 2–3 hrs up to high on springs. Light running ledger, size 2–4 hooks, ragworm or peeler. Aim at channel edges/creases. Use a long-handled net and beware soft mud.

Rag/lug or small crab on a running rig; cast to channel edges on the flood and first of ebb. Best late autumn–spring. Use grip leads in the strong tide; avoid slack water.

Ragworm or peeler on 1–2 hook flapper; cast to channel edge/gullies. Best last of flood and first of ebb on big tides. Use 4–5oz grip leads; slow retrieve to draw takes.

Rag or lug on size 2-4, short cast to channel edges. Best last 2 hrs of flood and first of ebb. Muddy ground; use light grip lead in flow.

Rag/lug or peeler on a light running ledger. Cast to channel edges and eddies by the locks. Late autumn–spring, fish the flood and first of the ebb. Keep gear light to read bites.

Fish channel edges over mud; lugworm or rag on long snoods. Best last 2hrs flood and first of ebb. Use 5–7oz grip leads in strong tide.

Late autumn-spring. Rag/lug or crab on size 2-4, running ledger. Best last of flood and first of ebb in slacker edges over mud. Long snood, minimal grip lead.

Light running ledger with rag/maddies or lug; cast short onto soft mud and channel edges. Best late autumn-spring on the flood and first of the ebb; creep baits back slowly.

Late autumn to spring. 2-hook flapper, size 2–4, rag/lug tipped with fish. Cast uptide to mud channels; use gripper leads to hold in the tide.

Rag or lug on a 2-hook flapper; short casts to channel edges on the flood, keep baits slowly moving. Best late autumn to spring.

Ledger ragworm or lug on size 2-4 hooks, cast to crease lines and inch back slowly. Best late autumn to winter on the ebb.

Late autumn–spring; small rag or lug on size 4–6, long snood. Cast to channel edge and inch back on neaps. Short casts often best last 2 hrs of flood.

Running ledger with worm baits; cast uptide and let it trundle along the mud. Best late autumn–spring on the flood and first of the ebb. Small hooks; mind crabs.

Small rag/maddies on size 2–4, running ledger. Cast uptide and let it trundle the mud. Best late autumn–spring on neap tides, first of the flood or easing ebb close in.

Autumn–winter in slower edges. Light rigs with rag or lug; short casts to muddy margins on neap tides fish best.

Rag or lug on 2-hook flappers; cast uptide and let it hold over mud. Best last of the flood into first ebb, winter–spring.

Ragworm on a running ledger across muddy channel edges on the ebb or first flood; winter to spring; long snoods, minimal lead.

Small rag or lug on a running ledger; cast to channel edges over mud on the ebb, late autumn to spring. Slow retrieve to draw takes.

Rag or lug on a long trace with small hooks; cast to inside bends or the far bank ledge. Late autumn to winter on neaps, fish around slack for best presentation.

Small rag/lug or maddies on a running ledger to channel edges; winter/spring, best on the ebb. Avoid snags near the steps.

Light running rig with small rag/lug or maddies; cast to mud edges and channel seams on the flood, winter into spring. Use just enough lead to hold.

Long-snood running ledger with rag/peeler over mud tongues; winter–early spring. Best on last of the flood or first of the ebb when flow eases.