What's Biting FL
First Coast

Flounder in First Coast

Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma · Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain

Bounce jigs tipped with shrimp or mud minnows along inlet edges, jetties, dock pilings and sandy drops. The fall run at the inlets is the peak.

Next seven days

DayBiteWhy
Fri, Oct 3010Strong tide swing 5.1 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)
Sat, Oct 3110Strong tide swing 4.9 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)
Sun, Nov 19Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 4.7 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)
Mon, Nov 29Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 4.5 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)
Tue, Nov 39Strong tide swing 4.3 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)
Wed, Nov 410Strong tide swing 4.3 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)
Thu, Nov 510Light wind. Strong tide swing 4.2 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release)

Seasonal pattern

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Editorial baseline for Florida. Green months are prime, yellow fair, red slow. Preferred water temperature 55–80°F.

Regulations that apply here

Applies to: state and federal waters off Florida

Species / zoneSeasonSizeBagNotes
Gulf flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Southern flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
summer flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
fringed flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Source: FWC, extracted 2026-10-29.

See all Flounder rules statewide.