The Flounder Run: When Does it Start in Your Area?

The best time of the year for flounder gigging is during the fall flounder run and the spring flounder run. These two flounder runs mark the beginning and end of the warmer weather along the coast, and are well known for producing consistent limits of flounder. 

The flounder run is so consistent and heavy that many state fish and wildlife agencies are taking the initiative to close the season during parts of this major migration. 

The Fall and Spring Flounder Run

There are two major flounder migrations each year. They move inshore during the end of winter and start of spring after breeding, and they move offshore during the start of fall to start breeding again. The move inshore is very sporadic, but the move offshore during the fall is more distinct and this is the move most anglers target. The fall flounder run which starts in early October and continues through November well known among most fishermen, but the Spring flounder run is not as commonly known. 

The best place to find migrating flounder is near inlets and passes.  Flounder use these ares to move from inshore creeks and flats to the deeper waters offshore.  Flounder tend to be lazy fish and during migration they move using tidal currents.  During out going currents they will use the current to help them swim offshore.  During incoming currents they will often times be found feeding on the edge of a fast moving current and slower tidal flow.

Now to answer the question we are all wondering - when does the flounder run start in my area?

The trigger that sparks the flounder to move offshore and inshore is water temperature. To accurately predict when the flounder are moving, we need to understand our water temperature trends. Lucky for you, we've done this research for you. Check your local water temperatures and compare them with the changes we have noted below. If the temperature has already changed or is in the process of changing, the flounder run may be starting!

When time comes to hit the water, make sure your equipped to make the most of the good water temperatures. Check out our selection of flounder gigging gear which includes the best flounder lights and flounder gigs. 

Texas

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................77 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................69 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......8 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........58 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................71 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................79 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...8 F

Louisiana

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................77 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................70 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......7 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........59 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................70 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................77 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...7 F

Mississippi

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................75 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................65 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......10 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........55 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................70 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................77 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...7 F

Alabama

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................75 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................65 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......10 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........55 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................70 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................77 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...7 F

Florida

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................81 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................75 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......6 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........70 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................77 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................84 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...7 F

Georgia

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................75 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................70 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......5 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........58 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................59 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................65 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...6 F

South Carolina

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................72 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................67 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......5 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........53 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April).................................56 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................63 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)... 7 F

North Carolina

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................79 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................75 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......4 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........58 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................62 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................69 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...7 F

Virginia

AVG. Water Temp. (October).........................70 F
AVG. Water Temp. (November)......................65 F
Water Temp. Change (Fall Flounder Run)......5 F

AVG. Water Temp. (December-March)...........50 F

AVG. Water Temp. (April)................................56 F
AVG. Water Temp. (May).................................60 F
Water Temp. Change (Winter Flounder Run)...5 F

These average water temperatures values were determined from data obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.