Editor’s Notes
A
ccording to the calendar, 2015 is coming to a close this quarter, but by
fishing standards, it’s the start of fall and the beginning of a very
special time for fishermen on the Gulf Coast. For starters, the shorter
days trigger spawning instinct in coastal species, the flounder probably best
known for one.
There is something about flounder fishing in the fall that’s very special, a
primordial connection to the past for some fishermen, as they follow the
flounder’s migration pattern to the Gulf as taught to them by their father or
grandfather.
Native Americans harvested flounder in the fall, much the same way that
fishermen do today with a spear, or gig. They could have also made improvised
fishing lights with fire, as Baithook Editor, Jim Martin, mentions his father did
around Biloxi in the 1930s-40s. That was before he developed an underwater
light during WWII so he would not violate the military enforced “blackout”, due
to prowling German subs in the Gulf.
A much simpler method than carrying around a lit basket of logs, or fueling
combustion from a tank, was another technique Jim mentions that was followed
by his dad and brothers. It only required being ready on the flounder grounds at
the crack of light. This timing method provides a brief period that’s very
productive for picking up flounder before the sun rises and sends them swimming
off into a little deeper water. I know that works well from experience, as after
running out of dark on many a floundering trip, it was always special to turn off
the lights and just rely on the dawn sky to provide all that was necessary to spot a
buried flounder.
The fall migration also provides rod and reel fishermen their shot at some of
the bigger fish of the year, as well as the likelihood of bringing home a limit,
when they fish staging areas flounder frequent prior to their exit from the bays.
There is certainly a technique required to catch flounder on bait (natural or
plastic), and then another step that requires skill. Like those who have gigged
flounder for years did not become expert in finding and gigging in a trip or two,
bait fishing also requires following certain rigging techniques that have proven
productive and then acquiring that “feel” or
“sense” of when your bait has company. Now, I
don’t know if any flounder fishermen go so far as
saying they can tell when a flounder is near and
just eyeing their lure, as professed by at least one
bass fisherman I’ve read about, but there just
might be a few who have picked up that extrasensory skill. And as far as that goes, live bait
anglers going after any species can certainly “feel”
when their offering gets the jitters.
Although it is the end of the year, it is also
the beginning of the glorious fall fishing and
hunting season. What better time to be on the
back bay when the marshes are full of ducks and
geese, the air is cool, and schools of redfish are
chasing bait along the shoreline and out on the
flats?
Follow the extensive flounder catching tips in
this issue, and if you’re not already an expert, it
won’t be too long before you are catching
flounder on purpose. Enjoy!
To Order the
2016 Gulf Coast Fisherman
Advance Planning Calendar
see page 35 or visit our website.
www.gulffishing.com
OCTOBER • NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2 0 1 5
5