Northeast Florida creeks jammed with flounder

A strong push of good-size flounder has moved into area waters, and some anglers in the know are taking limit numbers of flat fish (10 per person, per day, 12-inch minimum length). Plenty of 1- to - pounders are being caught, and folks who have them dialed in are getting plenty of 3- to 5-pounders.

Good early-season flounder action is not unusual locally. But the size and abundance of fish now is especially good for this time of year.

Although great early flounder fishing is found at the ocean’s doorstep in virtually all Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia inlets, much of that angling is best left to big boats or at least V-hull seaworthy skiffs and bay boats. Anchored in an inlet, tight to jetty rocks, is no place for a lightweight boat with a full flounder fishing crew when big boats and ocean-going ships travel by, especially on summer weekends.

And in strong wind or hard-rolling tide, well, put me on a center console with plenty of freeboard.

Fortunately for small boat fishermen, the myriad nameless creeks off sounds, rivers and the ICW from Georgia’s Golden Isles to Daytona Beach are prime water for flounder. And in some areas far up creeks is water not often fished hard or well by the great multitude of anglers who don’t want to scar big boat gel coats on shell bars.

About the only negative to coastal early flounder fishing in creeks are sand gnats, which can swarm in unbelievable biting numbers during days with no wind — which are choice for fishing because smooth running to and from creeks is available to small boats. Always have plenty of quality insect repellent with you in the creeks and have long sleeve shirts and pants in the boat just in case you need them.

Creek flounder fishing is classic spot angling, meaning most fish are caught from the same types of water — certain spots that when they hold fish frequently yield several in short order.

For many flounder pounders, falling tides are best, and almost any marsh run-out can hold fish. Often the best run-outs are near deep creek bends. And frequently a creek turn that has several run-outs pouring in from different directions can hold numbers of flounder. Rarely, however, will even such a great spot yield more than a few fish. When a fish or two is hooked it’s wise to ease over a lightweight anchor, or nose the skiff into the marsh until the areas is thoroughly worked.

But don’t tarry long. Stay moving during falling water, because virtually all creeks have dozens of little run-outs, and any may hold fish. The key to success is to cover water quickly, quietly and efficiently.

Sometimes, a creek looks perfect for flounder. The tide is right, bait is plentiful, but no fish are found. It even may be a creek that yielded flatties just a few days previously. If that’s the case, don’t waste time, leave the creek and find another one. There are plenty of creeks off the ICW, area rivers and sounds — hundreds, in fact.

In truth, many good flounder anglers purposely move around, constantly locating new and different creeks, and almost all of them are productive.

The very best creeks, however, usually are narrow and deep. Broad creeks can be red hot, though, during very low falling tide stages because such creeks reduce in size greatly, which concentrates flounder. In such creeks, even the very tiniest of feeder trickles pulling out of a marsh can attract and hold flounder.

Sometimes trolling a mini-mullet, mud minnow or other live bait behind a boat as you’re fishing down-current is a good way to pick up mid-creek flounder, as well as redfish, seatrout and other species. Worked from a fish-finder rig, it’s a good way to check deeper water, especially in a creek you’re unfamiliar with.

Small creek flounder fishing is some of the most unpressured angling in this region. A chart showing the ICW (available at most coastal marinas) is helpful in learning the locations of creeks, and small boat ramps in the region.

While fancy fiberglass flats skiffs and bay boats are a pleasure to fish from, for mini-creek flounder fishing where oyster bars can rip a shiny hull to ruin, aluminum johnboats with small outboards, kayaks and canoes are best. This is especially true when running up creeks during high tides, which can leave larger and heavier boats stranded when the water drains out.

A johnboat in the 14- to 17-foot range rigged with a 35 horsepower or smaller motor, and electric fishing motor, is perfect. Kayaks and canoes are OK, but they’re limited in range compared to power boats. Some anglers, however, tow kayaks or load them onto bigger boats to creeks, then anchor the big boat, and head off to fish from yaks, which is a good compromise that opens up a wide range of inshore angling possibilities.

When the tide is up, even creeks you know well take on a different look. And because Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia salt creeks abound with propeller-eating oyster bars, boating into them should be done carefully and slowly, especially at high tide.

Early in a falling tide, one of the best tactics is to outboard as far up a creek as possible. In some creeks, this turning, winding, putt-putting endeavor can take 30 minutes or more, covering a couple miles. Once you’re well up a creek, shut down the outboard, drop over the electric motor (or pole), and begin fishing downstream. Often you run so far up a tidal creek that it takes a bit of effort to turn a boat around to begin the downstream descent.

Such tight creek confines may seem strange to some flounder anglers, but in such small waters. flounder and other inshore sportfish are concentrated, so are easier to locate and catch than in broad creeks, sounds and inlets. Also, tight creeks are rarely fished by other anglers, which is why working out of a lightweight johnboat that draws only inches of water is wise.

Johnboat anglers also need not worry about scratching expensive gel coat on oyster shell. If a bar must be crossed due to falling tide, simply push-pole over the top, or get out and manhandle the boat.

This is simple, inexpensive fishing that can lead to more fish in the boat than caught by other folks on pricy yachts working deeper water.

bob@mcnallyoutdoors.com