How to Catch Flounder in the Puget Sound

[@Displaced_Yinzer]

There is a group of us heading to this spot on Friday. Looks like I need to pick up some shrimp tomorrow. Great video. Thanks for the info.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Thanks Ray... they were in about 50-60 feet of water when I went a few days ago. Best of luck to you!

[@waymirepa245]

Just talked to you out on un-named lake. Got yourself a new subscriber

[@SoundFishing2020]

I appreciate it brother... I hope to run into you again!

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

Nicely done. Looks like a lot of fun

[@SoundFishing2020]

It definitely was. Almost every drop to the bottom had a fish on. Really made the morning go by quickly.

[@radrenegade2282]

Well done!

[@SoundFishing2020]

Thanks brother we need to get out on the water!

[@HATINTHEKAT]

Can you fish off the shore there? I’ve always drove by that spot and I’ve never seem anyone fishing off the bank/shore and didn’t know if it was allowed/ legal. I don’t imagine you’re much further than a cast from where you’re drifting, so that’s nice to see that their kinda close in

[@SoundFishing2020]

I'm not sure if you can fish there. I think you'd be awfully close to the railroad track. If you could cast out far enough I don't see why you wouldn't be able to catch them. The key being a sandy bottom.

[@billhumphrey7846]

What size hook do you use? Great video by the way.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Bill, I use a size 4 bait holder hook. Size 2 hooks work well too.

[@michaelquinto6880]

Those are perfect size to eat. What month is good there? I believe the limit is 15 for flounder?

[@SoundFishing2020]

You're right they are the perfect size to eat size and you are also correct in that the limit is 15 for flounder. The season is year round and I've caught them at various times throughout the year even winter but I prefer going in the summer when it's warm out. Really though there is no bad time to go.

[@timothyandeva9362]

Hello nice vid what is the legal keeping size for flounder in WA I looked everywhere but got nothing lol

[@SoundFishing2020]

In Marine Area 13 (for Flounder) there is no size limit, it is open year round, and you can keep up to 15. Flounder are grouped together with other Bottomfish like Ling Cod, Cabezon, Surfperch, and Rockfish to name a few. All of those have special rules and seasons. It is always best to check the regulations before your trip... hope this helps.

[@jarriodking9579]

Is there a public launch other than Point Defiance Boat launch? I've heard its not fun going under the Narrows bridge.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Yes, there is one at Luhr's Landind or by the Steilacoom Ferry. I usually go during a slack tide as well.

[@vanislekid]

What do you do with so many small fish?

[@SoundFishing2020]

Usually, we cut fillets and pan sear them. Surprisingly because they're flatfish there is quite a bit of meat. Nothing compared to a Halibut of course but still plenty.

[@okyongkim9530]

Nice one. Where at did you fishing?

[@SoundFishing2020]

It is in Steilacoom at the ferry station.

[@okyongkim9530]

Thanks.

[@SoundFishing2020]

You're welcome.

[@masonditmars6479]

Hey, whay size hooks would you use/reccomend for that size flounder and sculpin?

[@SoundFishing2020]

I was using a size 4 bait holder hook. That size seems to work really well.

[@armystud69420]

I've been fishing off les Davis Pier since I got here and I have to say it's the least productive place I've ever fished. I definitely need to get my kayak out.

[@SoundFishing2020]

I think Les Davis Pier also gets quite a bit of pressure too. A kayak is a great way to get away from the heavier pressured areas and into the fish.

[@Honey-Sanchez]

I wouldn't eat anything coming out of Commencement Bay. 10 years ago it was one of the most contaminated waters in the US. A kayak is your best best and the further out where the water moves with the tide is primo. May I suggest you get a small fathom chart of Puget Sound. The shallows are where the flounders are. Try Anderson Point near Ollala.

[@frankjak555]

Looks like fun, how deep were you fishing?

[@SoundFishing2020]

I started at 30 feet deep then moved to 60 feet. It was at 60 feet deep I was catching a fish every time the line hit bottom.

[@frankjak555]

@@SoundFishing2020 nice, I've caught my best ones on the flats in 30-40 feet.

[@SoundFishing2020]

I did catch a couple at that depth. Thanks for sharing.

[@tony47311]

Is there a good boat launch around Steilacoom ferry? Or did you launch at solo point boat ramp

[@SoundFishing2020]

If you have a small boat, you can launch a Stielacoom under the train tracks (to the right of the ferry terminal). Otherwise, solo point is the next closest ramp, but you need the permit from JBLM. The launch at Stielacoom does cost $5 btw.

[@tony47311]

@@SoundFishing2020 thank you

[@SLOROB55]

@@SoundFishing2020 watch the holes and rocks at Solo. Shallow at low water and everybody power loads.

[@myronwilliams5652]

How u cook em?

[@smitty112877]

Excellent video man! How deep you fishing?

[@SoundFishing2020]

I was fishing in about 30 feet of water in that spot.

[@smitty112877]

@@SoundFishing2020 thanks man. I was out for flounder this evening in shilshole bay. Didn't catch any lol

[@SoundFishing2020]

Make sure your fishing a sandy bottom. The flounder like to partially cover themselves with sand to camouflage and ambush prey. Best of luck you'll find them!

[@smitty112877]

@@SoundFishing2020 thanks for the tip! I'm going to try again tomorrow with shrimp

[@SoundFishing2020]

Best of luck. I hope you do really well out there. Let me know how you do if you get a chance.

[@davidwhite6767]

How deep were you fishing for the flounder.

[@SoundFishing2020]

I was in about 30 feet of water over a sandy bottom.

[@walden6272]

Have you ever try catching flounder with lures? I wonder if lures would work.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Yes, I've actually caught quite a few while jigging for salmon. It works for sure but, bait seems to catch them a little quicker.

[@Bae_Bae960]

What size hook are you using?

[@SoundFishing2020]

Size 4 baitholder hooks.

[@Waldo1982]

What size hook are you using

[@SoundFishing2020]

Size 4 bait holder hooks.

[@karusokui]

Where is this?

[@SoundFishing2020]

It was at Steilacoom.

[@mailee9922]

Hi, What kind of bait do you use?

[@SoundFishing2020]

I cut uncooked shrimp into small pieces. Squid also works really well.

[@Honey-Sanchez]

BACON

[@kevorkderbedrossian9516]

How deep and where?

[@SoundFishing2020]

This is next to the Stielacoom ferry terminal in about 40ft of water.

[@ssj8256]

Thanks for the video! Have found the the flounders on the Seattle side have a stronger smell?

[@SoundFishing2020]

I do know some fish taste different depending on their fat content. Also what they eat can make a difference.

[@SevenMushrooms]

Is this marine area 6? I'm out of Port Angeles

[@SoundFishing2020]

No, this is MA 13, South Sound, but I've fished this same way over the years in other areas to include MA 6.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Most importantly, find an area that has a flat sandy bottom. You'll catch plenty of them.

[@AdvancedRoofing-l7k]

@SoundFishing2020 I might poke around out by salt creek/sekiu/clallam bay (area 5-6). Looking forward to getting out on the water in my Kayak! Thanks for the inspiration, keep it coming!

[@SoundFishing2020]

@user-tq1vh9iv6i will do best of luck out there!

[@234kwon]

can these fish be caught from the shore?

[@SoundFishing2020]

First, thank you for your service. Yes, you can catch them from shore however you will need to cast out pretty far. An inexpensive kayak will really help to get you on the fish. Hope this helps.

[@234kwon]

@@SoundFishing2020 thank you for the reply. ill definitely look into a kayak. glad to have found your channel

[@SoundFishing2020]

Appreciate it. Thanks

[@spodee55]

Those last three fish did they hit the gulp or the shrimp?

[@SoundFishing2020]

Tim, thanks for asking... they hit the shrimp. I've only ever caught a couple on the gulp on the other hand they can't seem to resist the shrimp.

[@spodee55]

@@SoundFishing2020 I went on a charter out of Edmonds not too long ago and the flounder were hitting the gulp. They were hitting the bait fish heads too I believe small herring.

[@SoundFishing2020]

I appreciate that information. I will certainly give the gulp baits another shot. That's a good tip on the fish heads. I'll have to give that a try. Thank you for the idea.

[@avoid200s4]

What kind of real do you have in this video

[@SoundFishing2020]

It's a Shimano Chronarch C14+ model 150. Any reel that gets the bait to the bottom will work great!

[@SLOROB55]

Where?

[@SoundFishing2020]

This was at Stielacoom. There is a small fee launch and dock to the right of the ferries. Any spot with a sandy bottom will have flounder though.

[@SLOROB55]

@@SoundFishing2020 I know that place. Hate that ramp. Really want to do some laid back bottom fishing though.

[@SoundFishing2020]

@SLOROB55 there are bid starry flounder in the nisqually delta. It's never busy there. The Luhr launch is tidal dependent for boats, but no problem for kayaks

[@johnpayton7699]

UUUgggg! Not Flounder! They are all Sole...Starry Flounder are the only actual Flounder in the Puget Sound...terminology pet peeve:)

[@SoundFishing2020]

To be fair a couple of the ones I caught were actually Pacific Sanddab as well 😀 I call them all Flounder but you are correct there is a difference.

[@Honey-Sanchez]

Sole? Sole are so much better than flounder. A fish like Dover sole, often sold as Sole Meuniere, is a high-ticket item. Since real Dover sole is flown in from Europe, it's an expensive to buy, which means it's going to be expensive on the menu. Your only going to find flounder from places like Long John Silvers.

[@KKraz]

Worthless video. Should retitle it “watch me catch fish without telling you squat”. Where? What depth? What type of bottom? Seasonal? Tide? Okay, so use a hi-low dropper line with shrimp…. But so much more info is missing.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Thank you. The depth I was fishing was about 45 feet, but the fish can be deeper or shallow. I try to fish in under 50 feet whenever I go. Flounder are always found on a sandy bottom so they can hide, but sometimes you can find them on the bottom made of mud. I've never caught them in rocks. The season is year-round in MA13, but always check the regulations for the area you will fish in. The best tide is during a slack tide so you can stay in one spot, but you can catch them on any tide so long as your bait gets to the bottom.Thank you, the depth I was fishing was about 45ft but they can be deeper or shallow. I try to fish in under 50 feet when i go. Flounder are always on a sandy bottom so they can hide, but sometimes you can find them on the bottom made of mud. I've never caught them in rocks. The season is year-round in MA13, but always check the regulations for the area you will fish in. The best tide is during a slack tide so you can stay in one spot, but you can catch them on any tide so long as your bait gets to the bottom. Let me know if you have any additional questions. Best of luck!

[@SLOROB55]

@@SoundFishing2020 you are patient and kind.

[@SoundFishing2020]

@SLOROB55 thank you.

[@SLOROB55]

@@SoundFishing2020 I’m going to try right out side gig harbor. I have a hobo compass and a little 16’ skiff. Live at Gig Harbor. May be around Bremmerton. Like that ramp.

[@SLOROB55]

Port Orchard Marina.