Flounder Fishing

Flounder Fishing – for Everyone

Successful flounder fishing is not for everyone. If you simply cast out the bait and wait, you may catch a flounder or two, but in general you’re in for a disappointment and frustration. Successful hook and line flounder fishing rates right at the head of the class. If you can successfully catch flounder on hook and line, you have bragging rights and should consider yourself an expert.
This writer can give a lot of tips on catching flounder, but when it comes to actually setting the hook in the mouth of a flatfish, it all boils down to two items: “Concentration and Experience”!
“It seems everyone else can catch flounder except me.” I hear that so often this time of year, when the flounder make their migratory move to the Gulf.

First off, the flounder has no swim bladder. This simply means the fish goes through life swimming or lying on or near the bottom. They are unable to suspend themselves motionless at any depth. Furthermore, it doesn’t have the fin structure nor body shape for fast swimming. It tends to move in short darts that appear to be fast, because when flounder move they raise a lot of silt off the bottom.

The fish normally feed from ambush, lying partially hidden on the bottom until food matter moves or drifts close by. The fish quickly rises off the bottom, grabs the food and sinks right back to the bottom. This is where your experience comes into play. Most fish tend to engulf the bait. The flounder instead, hold it tightly with its teeth for a few seconds before ingesting. Some marine biologist says the fish does this to kill the bait before taking it deep into its mouth.
If you try to set the hook the instant you feel a pick-up. Odds are excellent you’ll tear the hook out of the bait and give the flounder a free meal. Instead, wait approximately ten (10) seconds before striking or setting the hook.
This writer prefers to palm my reel, letting the line run lightly between my thumb and forefinger. You would be surprised at what the flounder telegraphs up the taunt line. You can feel the fish working the bait, and you can feel when the fish takes the bait deep into its mouth. That’s the moment of truth to strike and set the hook. Experience this a few times and you will never forget it………

Since flounder normally feed on matter that drifts close by, successful flounder fishermen and women are those who fish every foot of the bottom within casting range. Do this by inching the bait along the bottom. When you feel the line taunt, treat it as if a flounder has grabbed the bait and not as if the hook fouled a snag. Wait the magic ten (10) seconds before setting the hook. This tackle can be modified to be used with a float in wading depth. Rig the float to hold the bait just a few inches above the bottom. Cast up current and allow the current to carry along the float so a lot of bottom can be covered.
When a flounder takes the bait, the float will stop moving and simply lean over in the current. Wait the magical ten (10) seconds, and then set the hook. If the float starts moving against the current, you can bet money that the infamous blue crab has grabbed the bait and moved off with it.
There are a number of good terminal rigs for flounder. I prefer a slip sinker attached to the line followed by a swivel, then 18 to 24 inches of leader line (20 to 30 lbs.) followed by a wide gap (circle hook) either #2 or #3. The best bait is either live mud minnows or finger mullet. When the bay temperature cools down less than 70 degrees. Live shrimp will also work as well.

The most effective artificial lure is any soft plastic bait. Bass assassin, shrimp tail, or shad tails. Use either 1/8 to ¼ oz. lead head. I prefer the Norton lazer screw on hooks or the new Bass Assassin screw on as well. Work the bait right on the bottom with your yo-yo effect on lifting and dropping the rod tip. I prefer the new All-Pro titanium rod made by Fishing Tackle Unlimited in either 6-1/2’ or 7’. It’s called the GREEN ROD…………………..


Hopefully, these tips give you a leg up on your next successful flounder trip.
Good luck and good fishing.
See y’all outdoors on Galveston Bay.
Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Tribute to Real Men

A Tribute to a Man and his Son


In life, only a hand full of people, including your parents, can forevermore have a lasting effect on your natural ability.
There was one who had a profound effect along with his son. That person was Bob Stephenson Sr. and Junior, as I knew him. Bob Jr. had a passion for the outdoors that his father gave him from the time his was just a little tot………………………….
Bob Sr. and his lovely wife Dottie have a wonderful family and shared everything about the outdoors with their sons and daughters.
The first I remember Bob Sr. was he doing the commercials for Friday Night Wrestling for Paul Bausch. Then later Bob Sr. was the weatherman for CBS, channel 11 here in Houston.
I'm not sure of the time frame next, but Johnny Valentino of Eagle Point tells me that his dad and Bob Sr. were close friends. Somehow, either Bubba or Johnny's dad convinced Bob Sr. to do a fishing report on the radio for the Outdoor Farm Show.
Bam………Thus was born the re-nown show called The Bob Stephenson OUTDOORRRRRR Show. Sometime around 1968. You'll do not hold me to all these dates and time.
The rest is history. Bob Sr. made a lasting effect on this guide and angler. The show played to a listening audience daily from 4am to 5am and on the weekends from 4-7am. Except Monday, when Bob Sr. would take a little time off, like maybe the barbers did as well. The format to this angler was simple. Tell it like it is. No exceptions. Wind direction, tide movement and general location of where you caught your fish. Bob Sr. expected no less than the truth. Lots of time, he would try to close the gap to where I was catching. All in good fun. Bob Sr. loved the outdoors like our Lord intented. He always had a smile, a look and a touch for everyone he came in contact with. His outdoor show was on the air for well over 30 years, heard on the AM radio side of 740,950 and finally settled down to the 610 spot where it played till our Lord called him home. This man knew more than about fishing and hunting than any I could remember in ten lifetimes. Forgive me while I dry my eyes a little……………………………..
His passion to help one and all was unique. From the advertising Boat Dealers, Professional Hunting and Fishing Guides, and especially the men and women that would call in to his show, He treated us all with the same passion and conviction for telling the truth above all else. He later tutored his son Bob Jr. to help so he could spend more time with his lovely wife Dottie and other members of his family.
Bob Jr. and I became very close friends during the 80's. His passion mirrored his dad for the outdoors. Bob Jr. fished some of the fresh water tournament trails in the southwest.
At some point, Bob Sr. asked Junior to continue the family tradition. Bob Jr. took over for his dad, so dad could spend quality time with his family and friends. Bobby was a great friend, who knew the importance of family and how to get the most out of all of us, when it came to hunting and fishing reports. There were times, he could push my buttons………….Man, and He was awesome.
Bob Jr. maintained the airways all during the 80's, 90's and the 2000's.
Everyone that came in contact with Bob Jr. loved and admired him as a person and a family man. His lovely wife Melba and daughters, Dana and Shelly are true grit to this writer. They all continue to live life to the fullest.
Bob Jr. lived life the way you should. To the fullest. One day at a time. He was a man's man like his dad, Bob Sr.
Bobby passed away in 2002. I will truly miss them both…….
The show lives on in their memory. Capt Mickey Eastman and Benny Hatton are now the hosts daily. Tune in @ AM 610 Thurs-Sundays @ 4am. Great guys to listen to about the outdoors………….
I can still here them sometimes, while I drive toward the coast to go fishing. Bobby laughing out loud about someone's funny story and the show always closed with Bob Sr. famous line. Folks, HAVE FUN OUTDOORSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS……………………..
God truly blessed these two great men.
Dottie, Melba, Dana and Shelly. Thank you for sharing your father and husbands.
Capt. Paul Marcaccio-BOI. (Born on the island)
With over 30 yrs. Fishing experiences the Texas Gulf Coast. U.S.C.G. & T. P. & W. license