FESTIVE FLOUNDERS
Estuaries are hitting form for feisty flatfish, so don’t miss out on the action
Estuaries are hot for flatfish.
Some anglers reckon fishing through the cold and dark months of winter can be a gamble due to the ever-changing and frequently severe weather and unpredictable seasonal runs of fish, but there are ways to ensure some great sport. “The fishing simply isn’t as good as it used to be,” is an oft-cited mantra of the blanking beach angler bemoaning a decline in cod. In some areas it would be hard to argue, but in terms of reliable winter fishing, one facet of shore angling is holding its own, and even doing very well in some areas.
Look no further than tidal estuaries. Here you can cast a baited rig from the shore with the full expectation that within a short time the tip of your rod will be nodding in confirmation of a fish.
Estuaries are found the length and breadth of the British Isles and, depending on their location, provide the opportunity to fish for numerous species. Throughout the winter, flounders tend to be the most prolific species caught within the lower reaches of most of these waterways.
I know very few shore anglers who do not enjoy the prospects of standing on the banks of a sheltered river using light tackle to catch a succession of plump flatties, which can provide a surprisingly good account of themselves when caught on suitable tackle.
The average size of most flounders caught ranges from about 12oz to 1lb 4oz, though each season most rivers produce 2lb-plus fish. Others, notably those in the South West, produce occasional 3-4lb fish. The British shore-caught record for a flounder is held with a huge fish that weighed 5lb 7oz, caught in 1994 from the River Teign in Devon.
TIME AND TIDE
It is from October through to early February that most anglers concentrate their efforts fishing specifically for flounders. This is the time when the main influx of these flatfish come inshore to fatten up, prior to spawning at sea in the early spring.
There is something special about standing on the banks of an estuary on a cold and crisp morning at the back end of the year, waiting in eager anticipation for the savage rattle on a fine rod tip indicating a hungry flounder has located your bait.
Neap to mid-range tides produce the best results on most estuaries I have fished. The strong flow of tide combined with floating debris, such as weed, makes fishing on larger spring tides difficult, if not impossible.
The best time to fish varies from area to area, but here in South Wales, where we have such a high tidal range, my favourite time is roughly three hours before to two hours after high water. Avoid fishing following heavy rain because too much dirty fresh water flowing down river spoils the fishing.
TOP TACTICS
One of the big advantages of fishing an estuary is that distance casting is unnecessary. Indeed, on many occasions it can be a distinct handicap. Many, if not most, fish are caught by anglers lobbing their rigs no more than 30-40 yards, or even less.
On more than one occasion I have seen large flounders caught in just a few inches of water within spitting distance of the shore. Consequently, depending on other safety issues, such as sinking inter-tidal mud and access, estuaries are a great location for young, novice or elderly anglers.
Two or three-hook paternoster rigs incorporating long, flowing hooklengths work well at many estuaries when targeting flounders. Anglers often incorporate some form of attraction such as beads, sequins or small spoons into their hooklengths.
Long-shank hooks, such as the Sakuma 430 stainless pattern, ranging from size 1 to 4 are perfect for presenting the large bunches of
maddies (harbour ragworms or mudworms), or chunks of fresh peeler crab that are the most effective baits.
Early in the season, certainly before the first hard frosts, crabs will very quickly strip even the largest bunches of maddies back to the bare hook. When this is the case, peeler crabs are the better option. Some anglers use floating beads in an attempt to keep baits away from the ravenous crabs. A crab bait is often the choice for anglers looking to catch the biggest fish, too.
When fishing relatively clean ground, the favoured technique with some anglers is to use a flat-sided lead, and allowing the run of tide to slowly drag the baited rig across the bottom. Paternoster rigs carry one, two or three long, flowing hooklengths work best with this technique.
Once again, most flattie specialists incorporate some form of attraction such as beads, sequins or small spoons into their hooklengths. When the tide is pushing through quickly, you’ll need to use a grip lead to avoid your rig getting dragged into snags, but often this will only be for relatively short periods of the tidal cycle.
PROLIFIC SPORT
Bites from flounders are invariably hard, rattling affairs, and many anglers make the big mistake of striking bites too soon. Be patient and give bites time to develop for a minute or two, or even longer. Most hungry flounders will not leave a juicy bunch of worms or a crab untouched once they have located it.
With competition for food from foraging fish, you will find that double shots of flounders are far from rare.
In addition to flounders, expect small bass, along with a few better specimens, to be prolific, but remember in many areas the tidal reaches of rivers fall within bass nursery areas.
Other species you can catch from estuaries during the winter include whiting and codling, along with occasional dabs and plaice, and possibly even a ray if fishing nearer the outlet to the sea. ■