All species
UK shore species
Flounder
Platichthys flesus
Also Fluke
BeginnerPopularNightledger
Habitat
Estuaries, creeks, muddy beaches, harbour corners, the lower tidal river.
Season
Peak: Oct · Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
Also possible: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
The estuary flatfish. They live in mud, creeks and the lower river, take a worm in dirty water, and will feed in the day or after dark. The beginner’s winter fish on many east-coast and estuary marks.
- Right-eyed, but a few reverse
- Dull brown-olive, spots if present are not bright orange
- Prickles along the bases of the dorsal and anal fins
- A slightly rough feel compared with a plaice
20–35 cm is typical. A 40 cm flounder is a very good shore fish.
- Colour
- Olive-brown, dull spots, white or dusky blind side.
- Fins
- Prickles at the fin bases.
- Mouth
- Small, usually right-eyed.
Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.
- RagwormHook once through the head so it wriggles. A whole king rag for bass; a small harbour rag for dabs.Strong target
- LugwormThread the worm so the hook is hidden and the tail still moves. A bunch for bigger fish; a single for dabs.Strong target
- Peeler crabPeel it, leave the catch-legs if you like, bind it on a Pennel so it survives the cast. Half a crab for wrasse, a whole for a hound.Good target
- PrawnHook through the tail so it swims, or a bunch of frozen prawns bound on.Possible target
- 2-hook flapperThe default UK beach rig. Two snoods above a lead, baits off the bottom, easy to tie, easy to fish.Beginner
- 1-up 1-downOne bait on a snood above the lead, one on a flowing trace below. Covers the bottom and a few inches up.Beginner
- Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner
Hooks: 6–2