Martinez Flounder

Does any one have tips for kayaking for flounder in the Martinez area. I’m setup with rigging, and bait. Just need to know about the kayak setup. Should I anchor, drift, or tie to a piling?

Thanks,

Mark

I don’t think there’s a specific rig for flounder.  I remember catching starry flounder in Richmond/Pinole while targeting perch.  Hi-low rig with shrimp or pile worms. 

I think finding the right bottom structure is more important. 

My friend recently caught a solid starry off China Camp on a ghost shrimp while fishing for sturgeon, go figure...

My brother lives in Benicia.  20 years ago he used to catch a few starry flounder.
  A Benicia local who has fished there for 40 years told me that 30 years ago they were abundant, in fact he couldn't keep them off his hook when he was targeting other species, but he hasn't caught one in 5 years.

Kirk Lombard did some research about the decline of starries, probably due to pollution and oil runoff.

https://www.monkeyfacenews.com/my-blog/2009/10/whatever-happened-to-the-starry-flounder.html

The last starry I caught was from shore about 3/4 mile west of the Martinez Marina. Interesting fish, I was using JPS on about a size 1 hook hi-lo rig in that catch anything that bites mode. I saw a little tickle on the rod tip and just watched it awhile and then it quit so I just let it set, a few minutes later another tickle, not much but I figured by then the bait was gone. Reeled in the find that a 10" starry had swallowed both baits on the rig.  I think sometimes we attribute more intelligence to fish than they deserve, in the cold and the dark they are just eating machines.

Thanks for the information, however, I was looking for a how to from a kayak. The flounder are abundant in the Martinez area right now, but the pier gets crowded so I was thinking about going out in the kayak.

 My thought is that I would need to anchor, and have the bait stationary, but was wondering if a drift would work.

My friend recently caught a solid starry off China Camp on a ghost shrimp while fishing for sturgeon, go figure...

This has happened to me, too. How a 12" starry flounder fits a 6/0 loaded with shrimp in its mouth is beyond me.

I think sometimes we attribute more intelligence to fish than they deserve, in the cold and the dark they are just eating machines.

Yes, but then I'll have to admit getting out-smarted by a dumb eating machine...

Do a smaller version of the halibut drop shot rig that everyone in so cal uses, a small grub fished 6-8” above the weight bumping along would probably slay...

Thanks for the information, however, I was looking for a how to from a kayak. The flounder are abundant in the Martinez area right now, but the pier gets crowded so I was thinking about going out in the kayak.

 My thought is that I would need to anchor, and have the bait stationary, but was wondering if a drift would work.

Thats interesting to hear starrys are abundant in Martinez right now, as mentioned before, their population has declined a lot. 
If you decide to go and need a buddy, then you've peaked my interest.  Let me know if you head out.

Kevin

Thanks for the information, however, I was looking for a how to from a kayak. The flounder are abundant in the Martinez area right now, but the pier gets crowded so I was thinking about going out in the kayak.

 My thought is that I would need to anchor, and have the bait stationary, but was wondering if a drift would work.

Perhaps you can draw some inspiration from this guy...

My brother lives in Benicia.  20 years ago he used to catch a few starry flounder.
  A Benicia local who has fished there for 40 years told me that 30 years ago they were abundant, in fact he couldn't keep them off his hook when he was targeting other species, but he hasn't caught one in 5 years.

I can remember going out and yes, they would be stacked in places and could be caught in abundance. For me, that was 46 years ago.

It's good to hear that you can actually target flounders.  To me, they were always incidental catches when I was targeting something else.  Not sure if they prefer sandy bottoms or structure.  Seems like you can catch them either way.  Just got to be there at the right place and time, maybe?  Anyone got tips on these elusive fish?  Heard they were good table fare.

You guys are confusing me...what say we just use any array of Hali setups and geeturdun?