Flounder Fishing in Crystal Beach, Texas

Flounder Gigging Is a Gulf Coast Tradition

Flounder gigging is one of those things that sounds strange until you try it. You wade into the bay at night with a bright underwater light, scan the bottom for flounder lying flat on the sand, and spear them with a multi-pronged gig. It's part fishing, part hunting. People on the Bolivar Peninsula have been doing it for generations.

The southern flounder is a flat, bottom-dwelling fish that buries itself in sand and mud to ambush prey. They're almost invisible during the day. At night, under a light, they stand out clearly against the bottom. That's what makes gigging work.

Night Gigging: How It Works

You need a few things: a gig (a pole with barbed prongs on the end), a bright underwater light (LED setups run on batteries now), a stringer or bucket, and wading gear. Most people wade the bay side in knee-deep water, sweeping the light slowly across the bottom.

Move slowly. Flounder don't spook easily, but fast movement and noise will push them. When you spot one, approach carefully and place the gig firmly behind the head. A clean shot pins the fish to the bottom. Miss, and it's gone in a cloud of sand.

The best gigging conditions are calm nights with clear water. Wind muddies the bay and makes spotting difficult. New moon phases are preferred because there's less ambient light competing with your rig.

Best Spots on the Bay Side

The bay shoreline along the north side of the peninsula is where most gigging happens. Flounder sit on sandy bottoms near grass edges, waiting for shrimp and small fish to swim by. Shallow flats with mixed sand and mud are ideal.

The area around the old Rollover Pass on the bay side has historically been productive. Any stretch of bay shoreline with a gradual slope and sandy bottom will hold flounder. They also stack up around boat ramps and bulkheads where the bottom transitions from sand to structure.

The Fall Flounder Run

October and November are the months. When water temperatures drop, flounder migrate from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn. They move through passes and along shorelines in large numbers. This is the fall flounder run, and it's the best time of year to gig.

During the run, you can find multiple flounder in a small area. They stage along the edges of channels and passes before heading offshore. Gigging during the fall run can produce limits fast. It's also the most popular time, so expect company on the water.

Daytime Flounder Fishing

You don't have to gig at night. Flounder bite during the day too. The technique is different. Use live mud minnows, finger mullet, or live shrimp fished on the bottom with a Carolina rig or a jighead. Cast to sandy areas near grass, shell, or structure and work the bait slowly.

Drift fishing with a boat works well for covering ground. Let the current push you across a flat while dragging a live bait along the bottom. When you find one flounder, there are usually more nearby. They tend to cluster in the same types of habitat.

Texas Flounder Regulations

Texas Parks and Wildlife sets the rules. As of 2025, the daily bag limit for southern flounder is 5 fish per person. The minimum size is 15 inches. During November, special regulations often apply because of the fall spawn. Check the current TPWD regulations before you go, as these rules can change year to year.

You need a valid Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement. A gigging-specific license is not required. The gig counts as legal fishing gear in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

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