Flounder run entering its peak

Flouder are plentiful around Wrightsville Beach and the Cape Fear River

Part of the allure of saltwater fishing is the diversity of species that anglers can catch. But when there is flounder to be caught many anglers can’t resist the lure of trying to catch their limit of this tasty flat fish.

Fishing in the Wrightsville Beach area and Cape Fear River, native son Capt. Jot Owens keeps close tabs on the flounder that anglers seek.

“The mullet run is going strong right now and will finish up in mid October,” Owens said. “The flounder seem to stack up in the inlets as they approach their spawn.”

Where does Owens fish for the flounder?

“I look for drop-offs where the current is constant, and I like fishing over mud, broken shell or even oyster rakes,” he explained. “Don’t overlook marsh grass edges where they meet deeper waters either because you can find flounder right against the grass sometimes.”

Owens catches some of his biggest fish in October as the flounder make their seasonal move to the nearshore waters. However, sometime in late October, when the water temperature reaches the mid-60’s, Owens will begin to focus on trout.

“By November, I am locked and loaded to go speckled trout fishing, but I will still catch flounder in November occasionally, although it is by accident,” he said.

His No. 1 artificial bait to use is the 6-inch or 7-inch Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad in sapphire shine rigged on ¼-ounce jighead.

“Artificials are good when Carolina rigs are getting hung up too much,” Owens said. “Patience is always the key because while you can work a lure too fast, you can never work it too slow for flounder.”

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