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.

New regulations on winter flounder season have been set in place largely because of over harvesting and destroyed or inhospitable spawning grounds. These restrictions limit winter flounder season to a scant 6 or 8 weeks, but this still offers a great opportunity for a break to the winter off-season.

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.

Creating a winter flounder rig does not have to be hard, but this depends on your own unique tastes. In any case, it is nearly impossible to fail provided that you take advantage of smaller hooks, which are a very important part of fishing for winter flounder. These small hooks and weights are necessary to deposit bait at the bottom and are flexible for reaching both the winter flounder’s habitat and their small and practically toothless mouths. The next step is for you to intermix yellow grubs or beads (attached to the shaft) with bait for winter flounder, and winter flounder rigs are easily recognizable by their bright yellow bait. No matter whether you decide to fish with mussel, sandworms or bloodworms, bright yellow rigs attract winter flounder with tremendous success.

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.

For those who prefer to cast dual rods, you can use one behind your boat (in the same direction as the current) and one along-side the boat near your chum pot. This method not only helps you catch more flounder but it helps you get the most out of your chum pots.

You have a great chance to catch a large number of winter flounder in fairly shallow water since they have a predisposition of gathering together in areas where they can find food in large quantity. In most instances, the more shallow the water is the warmer it will be, and consequently the more plentiful the fluke’s source of food. As a result, you can typically find a school of winter flounder near areas of sand and gravel that commonly become muddy frequently.

Winter flounder season is a fantastic way to get back into fishing after a long and bitter cold season, especially for saltwater fishermen. These subtly flavored fish are also an excellent way to help restock your freezer between the winter and summer 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 Fishing Reels, such as the Shimano Calcutta 400B Reel.