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Southern Flounder Fishing with Augustin in Port Mansfield
Southern Flounder Fishing in Port Mansfield
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The Southern Flounder belongs to the order Pleuronectiformes and family Paralichthyidae. It typically measures between 12 and 33 inches in length, with a weight range from 1 to 4 lbs. - Habitat includes onshore, inshore, channels, and rivers. - Distinguished by having both eyes on the left side of its head. - Lacks spines on its fins and has a separate caudal fin. - Often mistaken for Summer Flounder but has distinguishing light and dark patterns.
Fishing Charter by Captain Augustin Perez in August
Meet your Captain Augustin Perez
- Top-rated Fishing Charters in South Padre Island
Summary
Captain Augustin Perez of Reel Action Charter Services on Saturday July offers premier Southern Flounder fishing charters in Port Mansfield's productive inshore waters. Our half-day fishing charter combines wade fishing, trolling, and bottom fishing techniques to target flatfish in channels and shallow flats. Port Mansfield's diverse habitat provides excellent year-round opportunities for both Southern and Summer Flounder, with summer months offering prime conditions. We provide all gear and local expertise, making these trips perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're targeting keeper-sized flounder or exploring the area's rich marine ecosystem, our experienced guide service ensures a productive day on the water. Book your Port Mansfield fishing charter and experience why these waters are renowned for consistent flounder action.
Fishing Charter with Captain Augustin Perez – Rates & Booking
Captain Augustin Perez of Reel Action Charter Services on Saturday July provides half-day fishing charters targeting Southern Flounder in Port Mansfield's productive inshore waters. Our trips include all fishing gear, tackle, and local expertise with flexible scheduling to match optimal tide conditions. We specialize in wade fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling techniques that consistently produce results in the area's channels and shallow flats. Licensed guide service with safety equipment provided—contact us directly for current rates and availability.
Highlights of The Best Experience
Recent trips have produced quality Southern Flounder including a solid 17-inch fish that showcased the area's potential. Our varied approach combines wade fishing in the shallows with bottom fishing in deeper channels, giving anglers multiple opportunities throughout the trip. Port Mansfield's unique geography creates ideal flounder habitat where these flatfish ambush prey along drop-offs and structure.
Summer months provide excellent conditions with clearing weather patterns and active fish movement. The area's mix of inshore channels, shallow flats, and river access points allows us to adapt to conditions and fish behavior throughout the day.
Local Species Insights: Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder thrive in Port Mansfield's inshore waters, utilizing the area's channels, shallow flats, and river mouths as prime feeding grounds. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, making them perfect targets for our bottom fishing and wade fishing techniques. Summer brings increased activity as water temperatures warm, with flounder moving into shallower areas to feed on baitfish and crustaceans. The 17-inch fish we landed demonstrates the quality specimens available in these waters, with fish typically ranging from keeper size to trophy proportions during peak season.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our half-day trips accommodate anglers of all experience levels with all gear and tackle provided. We launch early to take advantage of optimal tide conditions and fish activity, with trips typically lasting 4-6 hours depending on conditions and success. The boat is equipped for wade fishing, trolling, and bottom fishing techniques, allowing us to adapt our approach based on fish location and weather. Safety equipment is provided, and we recommend bringing sun protection, snacks, and drinks for your comfort on the water.
Fishing in South Padre Island: Southern Flounder
The Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a distinctive flatfish belonging to the order Pleuronectiformes and family Paralichthyidae. This oval-shaped fish is easily recognized by its unique anatomy, with both eyes positioned on the left side of its head—a characteristic adaptation that allows it to lie flat on sandy bottoms while maintaining visual awareness of prey and predators above. In Port Mansfield waters this July, these ambush predators demonstrate their remarkable camouflage abilities.
Southern Flounder Overview
Southern Flounder are highly prized gamefish known for their fighting ability and excellent table fare. These flatfish are masters of disguise, capable of changing their coloration to match the seafloor perfectly. Anglers value them for their challenging nature—they require patience and skill to locate and hook successfully. Their flat profile and bottom-dwelling behavior make them unique targets that demand specialized techniques.
Southern Flounder Habitat and Distribution
These fish inhabit coastal waters from North Carolina to Texas, thriving in inshore environments including bays, channels, rivers, and shallow flats. Around Port Mansfield, they frequent sandy bottoms near structure, drop-offs, and areas where currents create feeding opportunities. They prefer areas with good water circulation and access to both shallow and deeper water, allowing them to move with tides and temperature changes.
Southern Flounder Size and Weight
Southern Flounder typically range from 12 to 33 inches in length, with weights between 1 and 4 pounds for most specimens. Keeper-sized fish start around 14-15 inches, while trophy specimens can exceed 25 inches and weigh over 3 pounds. The largest recorded Southern Flounder can reach impressive sizes, making them exciting targets for both recreational and trophy anglers.
Southern Flounder Diet and Behavior
These ambush predators feed primarily on small fish, shrimp, crabs, and marine worms. They bury themselves in sand or mud with only their eyes exposed, waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass overhead. Feeding activity increases during moving tides when baitfish and crustaceans are most active. They're most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours, though they can be caught throughout the day in the right conditions.
Southern Flounder Spawning Season
Southern Flounder spawn in offshore waters during fall and winter months, typically from October through February. During summer months, they're in their feeding phase, actively building energy reserves for the upcoming spawning season. This makes summer an excellent time for targeting them in inshore waters where they're focused on feeding rather than reproduction.
Southern Flounder Fishing Techniques
Successful Southern Flounder fishing requires patience and the right approach. Bottom fishing with live or cut bait works exceptionally well—try using mud minnows, shrimp, or finger mullet near structure and drop-offs. Wade fishing allows anglers to work shallow flats methodically, while drift fishing covers more water efficiently. In July around Port Mansfield, focus on early morning and evening periods when these fish are most active, particularly around channel edges and shallow flats adjacent to deeper water.
Southern Flounder Is It Good to Eat?
Southern Flounder are considered excellent table fare with mild, sweet, white meat that's low in fat and high in protein. The flesh has a delicate texture that works well with various cooking methods including grilling, baking, frying, or broiling. They're also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and are generally low in mercury, making them a healthy seafood choice for regular consumption.
Southern Flounder Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Southern Flounder?
A: Live mud minnows, shrimp, and finger mullet are top choices. Cut bait like squid strips and small pieces of fresh fish also work well when fished on or near the bottom.
Q: Where can I find Southern Flounder near Port Mansfield?
A: Look for them along channel edges, shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, around structure, and in areas where currents create feeding opportunities. Sandy bottoms near drop-offs are particularly productive.
Q: Is Southern Flounder good to eat?
A: Yes, Southern Flounder are excellent eating with mild, sweet white meat that's versatile for cooking. They're high in protein, low in fat, and contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Q: When is the best time to catch Southern Flounder?
A: Early morning and evening hours are most productive, especially during moving tides. Summer months offer excellent fishing as they're actively feeding in preparation for fall spawning.
