Flounder fishing along Louisiana’s coast has been a mixed bag for many anglers this spring. One Southwest Louisiana fisherman is making it look easy. On April 18, Tony Menard of Iota, fishing from a kayak, caught a beautiful 18-inch flounder in West Cove marsh near Hackberry.
“I was fishing along a grass-line in the marsh,” Menard said, “using a tandem rig with a 1/8-ounce jighead on the top, and a ¼-ounce jighead on the bottom.”
Both jigs were Down South Lures. One was pearl-colored with a chartreuse tail and the other was “Purple Rain” — purple with silver flake and a chartreuse tail.
“I was just bouncing them along the grass line because I saw some baitfish scattering like something was chasing them,” he said, “and sure enough, I ended up snagging the flounder right where I was tossing along the grass line.”
Although West Cove Marsh is a popular fishing spot, there were only a few other kayak fishermen and a boat or two on the water when Menard caught the fish.
Menard recommends using a sensitive rod and braided line when targeting flounder.
“When you are anticipating that bite from a flounder, and you feel that bump, it’s much easier to feel it with a sensitive rod paired with a braided line,” he said.
Menard caught the fish using a 13 Fishing reel on a medium-action, fast-tip, Falcon rod.
Happy with his latest catch, Menard said he caught his personal best last year: two 4½-pounders caught on back-to-back days.
