Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the quiet thrill of a night out on the water. Spear in hand, lights glowing, and that unmistakable silhouette of a flounder just barely giving himself away in the shallows. I’ve been gigging most of my life, and even after all these years, I still get that same spark of excitement every time I step off the boat and into the glow of the lights.
Flounder gigging along the Gulf Coast is more than just a pastime. It’s a tradition. And if you want to do it right, you’ve got to know two things. First, where to find the fish. Second, how they behave once you’re there. I’ve spent decades chasing flatties and helping folks light up their hunts with my flounder gigging equipment. I’ve picked up a thing or two along the way, and I’m happy to pass it on.
Why Location and Know-How Matter
Flounder may be flat, but they’re clever. They blend into the bottom like they were born to disappear, and they love to lay low where the tide, structure, and water temperature work in their favor. If you know where they hide and what they’re waiting for, you’ll have a much better shot at walking back to the truck with a cooler full of fish.
Here are some of the best flounder gigging locations along the Gulf, along with a few tips on what to look for once you’re there.
I. Best Flounder Gigging Locations in the Gulf
Texas Coast
We’ve got to start with Texas. It’s one of the best places in the country for flounder gigging. Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Port Aransas are three spots that have treated me well over the years. These bays offer a great mix of shallow flats, calm backwaters, and strong tidal movement.
What makes Texas so good is the climate. The water warms up early and holds heat well into the fall. That gives you a long window to chase fish. Look for flounder near sandy points, grassy edges, and marsh drains on a rising tide.
Florida’s Gulf Coast
If you’re heading east, Florida’s Gulf side has plenty to offer. Tampa Bay, Apalachicola Bay, and Sarasota are well-known for a reason. The water is usually clear, which makes spotting fish easier. The sandy flats and seagrass beds give flounder plenty of places to settle in. St. Augustine, Pensacola, Panama City, Destin, Jacksonville, and New Smyrna Beach give you more great options and opportunities for floundering if Florida is where you want to be.
Focus your efforts on shallow areas close to mangroves or around the edges of oyster beds. New and full moon tides will push fish up into places where they’re easier to spot.
Louisiana’s Marshes and Estuaries
Louisiana has some of the best flounder grounds I’ve ever seen. Lake Pontchartrain and the Chandeleur Islands are two of my favorite spots. There’s a reason this part of the Gulf is so productive. You’ve got a perfect mix of mud, sand, and structure, plus strong tidal flow and a buffet of baitfish.
It can be a little wild out there. The marshes are thick and the weather can turn on you fast, but if you’ve got good lights and a solid boat, you’re in for a great night.
Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast
Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound don’t get as much attention, but they’re great places to gig. The fish are there, and the access is easy. These waters are especially good for folks just getting into gigging or anyone looking for a quick evening trip.
Target firm bottom near docks, seawalls, and shallow points with current. Flounder love to ambush from structure.
Whether you’ve been gigging for years or you’re just getting started, the Gulf has something for everyone. You just need to know where to go and what the fish are up to. And if you’re serious about flounder gigging, having the right lights makes a huge difference.
At Jerry’s LEDs, we build tough, high-performance flounder gigging lights for sale designed for both above and below the water. They’re easy to mount on just about any boat, and they give you the kind of visibility that helps you spot more fish and make better gigs. I built these lights because I needed some flounder gigging equipment that could stand up to the salt, the sand, and long nights on the water. Now they’re helping folks all across the coast bring home more fish.
Light up your path, trust your gut, and enjoy every minute out there. That’s what it’s all about.
—Jerry