When fishing in an estuary targeting flounders, should I fish a flood tide? Also, should I cast on to ridges of sand, shingle and mud, or the gullies between them?

STEPHEN WILLS, TEIGNMOUTH, DEVON

PF says:

I grew up fishing the River Wear estuary in Sunderland targeting flounders and found best sport in a moving tide, whether it be the flood or ebb. It was also really noticeable that when the tide stopped, so did the bites.

Concerning where to cast, a plain lead allows the bait to move and search out features like those you mention. Also, flounders love a chase, and a moving bait can often bring an aggressive take immediately. If a cast doesn’t result in a bite within 10 minutes, try moving the baited rig just a few inches and leave it.