Fall Texas Fishing Reports Indicate Flounder Are Starting To Move Gulfward

With the days growing shorter and the mercury gradually dropping, flounder are on the move. With the approach of autumn, southern flounder begin to make their way out of the shallows, with crowds of these fish making their way through every available route to the deeper waters of the gulf. Yes, the flounder spawning season is upon us once again according to the latest fishing reports. Anglers who enjoy fishing for the saddle blanket flounder are already enjoying an action packed Texas fishing season this fall.

A self-described flounder fan, Captain Skip James does a lot of angling on Sabine Lake. He's been carefully studying the movements of the flounder run for years with telemetry instruments. As James reports, "I follow what the large females are doing, since she's always followed by a whole group of males waiting for her eggs to drop."

According to James, we are halfway through the flounder run. "It is a gradual process lasting from September to around December 15." As flounder gradually make their move to the gulf, James states he will need only one lure to draw his strikes. "A 4-inch old bayside speck grub is all I throw." "If the rest of the run stays this good we will be pleased," he proclaims. "We are catching flounder to six-pounds."

Phil Ortiz of Galveston tells us that despite the conventional wisdom, you don't have to wait for the first cold snap to catch plenty of flounder. Ortiz tells us what the better fishing reports have been saying for some time - "Flounder know to migrate because the days grow shorter; it's not just temperature. Of course, once the first cold snap hits, they'll really start moving - but I'm catching plenty even now."

As far as his lures go, Ortiz uses artificial lures for flounder, including of course his own invention the "Flounder Pounder".

Another Galveston angler, Jeff Boudreaux is one of the rare year round flounder fishermen. In the fall, Boudreaux likes to get in on the excitement of the flounder run, employing the kind of pitching techniques most anglers use for bass in stick beds. As he tells us with a grin, "If it's good enough for bass, it's good enough for flounder. Once I feel that first thump, I set the hook as fast as possible."

Though many use live bait for flounder, Boudreaux prefers to use soft plastics. "I have had major success using the Brown's Corky Devil." The rat-tailed suspending bait, he says, assisted him in landing a seven-pounder just a week ago.

"Those looking to catch flounder during the fall run should look at the Galveston Channel or Sea Wolf Park Flat," states Boudreaux. "Live baiters do very well using mud minnows and finger mullet on a Carolina rig."

Lower coast angler, Cody Stripling exclusively targets flounder on the waters of the Lower Laguna Madre. Launching from Port Mansfield, Stripling works grassy structure and areas adjacent to deep water within his boat using a trolling motor.

According to Stripling, flounder fishing is a little slower on the lower coast. "Flounder have been scattered lately but I expect when cooler weather reaches us down here we will see more on the move."

"Grassy points, guts, and drop offs along deeper water like the ICW are my primary focus during the run," states Stripling. "The water on the Lower Laguna Madre is very clear and it allows us to really see distinct areas adjacent to deeper water that really hold flounder. Pitch baits on the pockets and points along the edge and you will catch flounder."

"All you need for flounder is a soft plastic lure and a quarter ounce lead head. It's really pretty easy," says Stripling. "I just work my bait with a basic bass retrieve. I bump them on the bottom, wait a few seconds and repeat - works like a charm.