With size limits getting higher and higher for flounder more anglers who target the flatfish are concentrating on catching the big doormat variety. Flounder that range up and over the 20 inch mark have different habits than smaller flatfish. Small flounder are often found spread out in inlets and sandy waterways whereas larger flounder tend to orientate themselves to structure where they can ambush bigger prey.
A great way to fish such structure is to use soft baits like Bass Assassin lures, which many flounder guides have gone to. Around docks, bridges, jetties, and marsh grass artificials are easier to fish than live bait and big flounder love to hit them. Plus you don't have to wait to set the hook on the flounder but can hit the fish right away, which makes fishing with soft baits for flounder much more fun.
Here are the Bass Assassin lures that make the most effective baits for flounder fishing:
Bass Assassin Saltwater Shad Assassin - 5" - White
The Bass Assassin Saltwater Shad is ideal for flounder fishing rigged with a jig head or on a Carolina rig. At 5 inches long it features a proven flounder-catching design in assorted saltwater colors that flounder favor. Fish the Saltwater Shad on the bottom where you can crawl it or move it with a series of short hops to catch flounder. Don't be surprised if a redfish or trout grabs it either.
Bass Assassin‚® Sea Shad Assassin - 4" - Limetreuse
The Sea Shad Assassin has a popular paddle tail design molded in a softer plastic which means flounder will hold on longer. Best fished with a jig head this bait can be a swim bait just off the bottom or you can entice flounder with a deadly hop retrieve sort of like working a plastic worm for bass (only slower). The lure mimics a peanut pogy which is a top baitfish for flounder.
Bass Assassin Saltwater Assassin Shrimp Cocktail Combos - Natural Glow
Deadly on speckled trout and redfish, the Bass Assassin Shrimp Cocktail also works great on flounder when worked around pilings or in the marsh grass of the inshore creeks. A great jetty lure too. It comes pre-rigged with a 1/8 ounce shrimp hook so you don't need a jig head and you can work the 4 inch lure just like a live shrimp.
Bass Assassin Shad Assassin - 7'' Mag Assassin - 4 pack - Albino Shad
If you are after the biggest doormat flounder then this is the lure for you. The Mag Assassin has a unique fat belly design slit for weedless rigging and soft body texture for a fleshy feel. The 7 inch body entices big flounder to come out from under docks or around pilings and strike hard. You use it on a Carolina or flounder rig as a jerkbait, working it slowly along the bottom to entice the big flounder to bite. The fat belly design gets more flounder hits than most standard strip or jerkbaits.
Bass Assassin Jigheads - 1/4 oz - Unpainted
Bass Assassin jig heads feature quality Mustad Needlepoint wide gap black nickel hooks. The lifelike heads give the illusion of a bait fish and are ideal for flounder fishing.
For more fishing tips see my blog A Dash of Salty
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