For you who are bored with winter weather and ready to begin fishing, ice fishing is usually a good possibility. New England residents have a host of opportunities almost literally right outside the back door. Fishermen can catch striped bass as early as March, and April brings the chance to fish for fluke (also called winter flounder). Bass and fluke are more plentiful this time of year because they reproduce alongside the coastline.

There have been new restrictions placed on winter flounder due largely to over-harvesting and unsuitable habitats for spawning. This has reduced the winter flounder season to 6 or 8 weeks. But, these 6-8 weeks provide ample opportunity for great fishing.

Unlike summer flounder, you can easily fish for winter flounder with relatively light line (8-12 lbs) and a rod as small as six or seven feet will be adequate. Remember, these fish only range from 2-3 lbs each. Crafting a rig for winter flounder can be as simple or as complicated as you care to make it. Regardless, you’ll have great success provided you use the smaller hooks that are an essential component of successfully fishing for winter flounder. Small hooks and weights (to keep bait at the bottom) help accommodate both the habitat where you’ll find winter flounder and their small, nearly toothless mouths.

Bait for winter flounder should be combined with yellow grubs or beads attached to the shank. Winter flounder rigs are renowned for their bright yellow bait. Whether you elect to use mussel, sandworms or bloodworms, the bright yellow will help attract winter flounder.

You should consider chumming when fishing for winter flounder. This is the same whether you’re anchored or you’re fishing from the shoreline. Chumming can help attract full schools of winter flounder and it’s easy to find chum pots. After picking up your chum pots at your local bait and tackle shop, you’ll have all the tools you need to make the most of your winter flounder fishing. Simply tie the pot to a fixed area near the shore or attach it to your boat and before you know it you’ll have plenty of winter flounder available.

If you’d rather cast two or more rods at the same time, you can do so behind the boat, one in the same direction as the current is flowing and the other alongside the boat by the chum pot. This is a very efficient way for you to maximize your day’s catch and the equipment used, a plus for any fisherman.

Winter flounder have a habit of gathering together in areas where they can find food in abundance, so it is likely that you will catch a bunch of them in somewhat shallow water. As a rule of thumb, the more shallow the water, the warmer it will be, and therefore the more abundant the fluke’s food source. Consequently, you can usually find a school of winter flounder near an area of sand and gravel that easily becomes to mud on a regular basis.

Fishing for winter flounder is an extraordinary way for you to enjoy fishing during the long and bitter winter months, especially for saltwater fishermen. These palate-pleasing fish are also an exceptional means of restocking your freezer between fishing seasons.

There are many helpful types of gear that you should consider investing in some of them are Daiwa Fishing Poles and Shimano Calcutta Reel, such as the Shimano Calcutta 400B.

Related posts:

1. Two Ways of How to Fish for Tuna Tuna are among the largest and tastiest saltwater game fish....
2. Two Ways of How to Fish for Tuna Fishing is one outdoor activity that many people love doing...
3. How to Fish For Fluke A flat fish with a lot of attitude, flounder are...
4. Best Shallow Water Fishing in Florida While a majority of Americans are honed in on multi-tasked...
5. Deep Sea Game Fishing Even though this term might make you think of ocean...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 11:21 pm and is filed under Recreation and Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.