For you who are bored with winter weather and ready to begin fishing, ice fishing is usually a good possibility. New England residents have a host of opportunities almost literally right outside the back door. Fishermen can catch striped bass as early as March, and April brings the chance to fish for fluke (also called winter flounder). Bass and fluke are more plentiful this time of year because they reproduce alongside the coastline.

There have been new restrictions placed on winter flounder due largely to over-harvesting and unsuitable habitats for spawning. This has reduced the winter flounder season to 6 or 8 weeks. But, these 6-8 weeks provide ample opportunity for great fishing.

Not like summer flounder, even if you are an inexperienced fisherman you can fish for winter flounder with comparatively light line (needing just 8-12 lbs) and a rod as short as 6-7 feet. However, you have to take into account that these fish weigh 2-3 pounds per fish.

Designing a winter flounder rig can be as easy or as complex as you decide to make it. In any case, success is nearly guaranteed provided that you make use of the smaller hooks, which are a vital part of fishing for winter flounder. Small hooks and weights are used to keep bait at the bottom and are adaptable for both the habitat where winter flounder are found and their tiny, practically toothless mouths. Your next step is to combine bait for winter flounder with yellow grubs or beads fastened to the shaft. Winter flounder rigs are well known for their bright yellow bait. Regardless of whether you choose to fish with mussel, sandworms or bloodworms as bait, the bright yellow helps catch the attention of winter flounder.

Chumming is another successful means of fishing for fluke, whether you opt to fish while anchored in a boat or from the shoreline, and this method attracts large schools of winter flounder. To have all the equipment you need to take full advantage of your winter flounder fishing event, just pick up your chum pots at a local bait and tackle shop. You need simply attach the pots to a nonflexible object near the shoreline or secure them to the boat.

If you prefer to fish with dual rods, one can be cast in the same direction as the current, while another can be set alongside the chum pot. This is a very resourceful way for you to maximize your fishing expedition and the equipment itself, a plus for any fisherman on any trip.

Since winter flounder tend to congregate in areas where they can find plenty of food, chances are good that you’ll find them in fairly shallow water. The more shallow the water, the warmer it is and the more food that will be found. If you’re near an area of sand and gravel that turns to mud regularly, you are sure to find a school of winter flounder nearby.

If you’re a saltwater angler, winter flounder is a great way to break back into fishing after a long and cold winter. These delicately flavored fish also help restock your freezer after the winter and before the summer fishing season gets underway.

There are many helpful types of gear that you should consider investing in some of them are Daiwa Rods and Shimano Calcutta, such as the Shimano Calcutta CT 400B.