Fishing report: Flounder becomes fashionable catch

Flounder seems to be a common theme from Ponce Inlet to the Matanzas River.

PONCE INLET, HALIFAX RIVER: Capt. Jeff Patterson (smallboatbigfish.com) filed this report from the inlet area. “We have had some awesome flounder trips,” he said. “I had three days in a row catching between 13 to 19 fish. We’ve been getting some really good size weakfish in the same areas around the inlet with some nice two to four pounders. Picking up a few black drum, too.” Dave Farlow at Salty Dawg Outfitters Highbridge said the north end waters are holding plenty of fish. “Trout are eating with a vengeance,” he said. “Snook are the thickest I've seen in quite a long time and redfish are still scouring the banks.” Other big catches in the north end of the Halifax are flounder and black drum.” Mattson said some of his folks are starting to net shrimp in the river.

SURF, PIERS: Roy Mattson at Roy’s Bait and Seafood offered this report. “The west wind is keeping the water sandy,” he said. “We have seen a few whiting and black drum being caught (off the piers). Redfish in the shallow surf with some decent size flounder although not abundant.”

OFFSHORE: Based on the results from two recent tournaments fished out of Ponce Inlet, king mackerel and dolphin are the two prominent catches off the troll. Bottom fishermen are catching a variety of snapper, sea bass and an occasional kingfish.

TOMOKA BASIN, RIVER: Capt. Kent Gibbens (backcountrycaptain.com) said anglers need to get up early to catch trout in the morning. “There are some big fish out there, up to 22 inches,” he said. “After the trout bite it’s time to go up river and pound the shorelines for snook. Keith Cole was fishing with me and landed a 31-inch snook. We caught about a dozen smaller ones along with some nice jacks and ladyfish.” Gibbens said if you go far enough up the Tomoka River, you can catch a freshwater, largemouth bass.

MOSQ. LAGOON, INDIAN RIVER: Capt. Michael Savedow (edgewaterriverguide.com) said there is a lot of bait fish in the water. “We are catching lots of whiting, including some bulls, in the Edgewater Backcountry,” he said. “We are also seeing trout, black drum up to four pounds, keeper mangrove snapper, plus jacks and ladyfish.” Mattson said the lagoon is seeing lots of trout and redfish in southern end.

MATANZAS INLET, RIVER: Capt. Chris Herrera (palmcoastfishing.com) filed this report. “Flounder are here in good numbers but not in size,” he said. We are getting 15 to 20 fish a day, but reeling up a 15-inch flounder is tough. Redfish are getting used to the heat and chewing in the shallows but prefer the deeper water where water is cooler.”

ST. JOHNS RIVER: Capt. Bryn Rawlins at Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand said the summer heat is bringing out the panfish bite. “We are seeing good catches,” she said. “Anglers are using crickets and worms to target bluegill in the Norris Dead River. It’s important to start early as the temperatures are heating up quick.” Rawlins said bass fishing is still improving. “Nothing is red hot right now, but you can go out and catch a few if you fish early in the morning,” she said.

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