Flounder

If you're looking to target flounder, Wilmington, North Carolina, offers ample opportunities in its backwaters and nearshore areas. The Cape Fear River, its tributaries, and the Intracoastal Waterway are all prime flounder habitat. These fish are ambush predators, so focus on areas with structure, such as docks, bridges, and creek mouths. The fall months are particularly productive as flounder migrate offshore. A Carolina rig with a live mullet or mud minnow is a go-to technique, but jigging soft plastics along the bottom can also be effective. A local's trick: try fishing around the spoil islands in the Cape Fear River – they often hold good numbers of flounder. Be mindful of the regulations, as flounder season and size limits can be strict. The Southern flounder is the most common species here, and they are masters of camouflage, so a slow, deliberate presentation is key.