Flounder

Flounder fishing near Manteo, North Carolina, is a popular pursuit, particularly in the inshore waters of the Croatan and Albemarle Sounds. These flatfish love to ambush prey near structure, so focus on areas like docks, bridge pilings, and the edges of grass flats. The fall 'flounder run' is legendary here, as they migrate towards the ocean to spawn. Dragging a Carolina-rigged mullet or mud minnow slowly along the bottom is a classic and effective technique. Given the muddy bottoms, a sensitive rod is key to detecting subtle bites. A local tip: the canals around Wanchese are known flounder hotspots, especially during the outgoing tide. Remember to check the regulations, as flounder size and bag limits can change frequently in North Carolina.