Pawleys Island Flounder Fishing

Flounder Fishing Pawleys Island  is a favorite pastime!  These funny looking flat fish begin moving from  near by reefs into tidal creeks and inshore waters through spring.  Pawleys Island Flounder will thrive creeks and inlet until fall when the water begins to cool.  Additionally Flounder are ambush predators and often use shallow water creeks, oyster rakes and depressions as ambush points on rising and falling tides.  Laying on the bottom and using there camouflage to ambush shrimp, mud minnows and finger mullet.  

Flounder Fishing Tactics

Most South Carolina Flounder fishermen I know prefer to catch flounder slow trolling with live baits and artificial baits.  Mud minnows and finger mullet are great choices fishing alongside the rock jetties on the North Side of the Island.  In addition to trolling, fan casting creek mouths and docks can be very effective. North and South Inlets are great areas to target flounder as they like the high devolved oxygen of the inlets.  

Light Tackle for Flounder

For light tackle outfits  I prefer a spinning rod. 7’6 light to medium action paired with a 3000 size reel loaded with 15 pound braided line.  From the braid I use 20 pound fluorocarbon leader tied using a uni to uni knot. From my leader I tie a 1/4 oz eye strike JIG HEAD using a loop knot.   The chartreuse color jig rigged with a 3″ gulp swimming mullet is my favorite combination for Pawleys Island Flounder.  Casting deep into a creek  mouth or beneath a dock and slowly dragging and popping the bait along the bottom . Another key point, is to watch the current and tide. If the current is running hard be sure to change to a heavier jig and fish up current bouncing you’re bait with the tide.

 Flounder Fishing Pawleys Island with Fly fishing Gear

Fly rods from 7 – 8 weight is your best choice.  Reels loaded with floating or sinking lines, sinking being the preferred for bottom dwellers like Flounder.  If you don’t want to invest a lot of money in a full sinking line take a look at Rio’s  Versa Leader .  These leaders can be purchased for under $12.  These leaders offer a lot of versatility with the simple loop to loop connection.  The versa leader has a PVC coating that adds weight.  It’s offered in a 1.5 – 7 inch per second sink rate .  The 3.9 and 5.6  are my top choices for flounder and Sea Trout fishing.  Fly selection is simple.  Bait fish patterns like the Clouser Minnows tied in chartreuse.  Here’s a link of my  Top Picks for Fly Fishing Saltwater  species like Flounder.   

Overall the method you choose to deploy when Flounder Fishing Pawleys Island will be dictated by the tide, current and time of year. Flounder are fantastic table fair and Pawleys island holds good numbers of fish during the spring run.  To learn more about targeting Southern Flounder feel free to give us a call.  I hope to see you out there!

 

Tight lines