Feeling Like A Flounder

There are over 400 hundred species of flatfish in our waters. 400! It's probably safe to say that no one has caught them all. But the more notable fish of these species such as the flounders, soles, turbot, plaice, and halibut are not only on the fishing list, they also pop up on the menu :P 

Some people will say that the first fish they ever caught was a flatfish. This could be true as they are not too difficult. In-fact it can be quite easy at times to catch them. There are many methods in catching these fish. The two most popular would be to set up a simple paternoster rig with small hooks and cast 10 yards out. You wont need to cast far as they are usually very close to shore. Sometimes you can even see them on the shore line! As for bait. Rag worm, lug worm, mackerel strip and even supermarket brought mussel's do the trick.

   

The Paternoster Rig

The other method is a deadly method and also my favourite. It involves using a baited spoon. Not the type of spoon your probably thinking of. This type.....

The spoon.

Very easy to use. Just attach a small hook to one end and add a few bright beads. Flat fish are suckers for this. Then add your trace and attach it to your mainline. Simple. Finish off with adding a small rag worm or oily fish strip to the hook and away you go. As for fishing it, either cast out and retrieve slowly. Or for those in a boat or kayak drop will it hits the bottom and paddle nice and slow. Within minutes you should have one nibbling the end of your line!

My next kayak trip will be for these species. The minimum landing size are as follows;
Dab - 15cm
Flounder - 25cm

Sole (Lemon) - 25cm

Megrim - 25cm

Plaice - 27cm

Sole (Dover) - 24cm

Turbot - 30cm

Ill upload a diary on the day I set off. If I do land these species just give me your number before hand and I'll give you a call!

Tight Lines
Kirk