Where are all the flatties down South???

Been doing a lot of fishing recently with Pete, including a lot of scratching around in the suds on beaches. So far, this year, from Cork beaches we have managed the grand total of 4 flounder between us. Up north, scratching in the suds on surf beaches in this manner will produce large quantities of flats. Where on earth are they down here? I know its probably spawning time etc but this is a year round thing TBH, I cannot remember the last time I even saw a Dab.... I know in fairness you will pick them off in the estuarys handy enough at times but that doesnt answer the question. WHERE ARE ALL THE FLATS....???

I know its probably spawning time etc but this is a year round thing TBH,

they'll turn up don't worry! some places hold flounder at various times of year- temperature/ food/ currents(highways to the spawing grounds!?). u've just got to go find em! at this time of year in some places i know locally the flounders can be at range if not in close, particularly now through the last 2 weeks in april.

The majority of flounder head out to sea to spawn from the start of November. They start to show up again in March around the west Cork area first and one Cork venue.

their still on inch strand co.kerry , a local beside me last week was
catching them in doubles but only small . i had them uo to 37cm !!.
has anyone tryed tinnebarna or ballynamona yet they should be full of flounder !! i can gurantee thats what will win the kilmucrage open on the 10th !! a load of flounders (hopefully its me !!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

best of luck boycie!

cheers boss !!!! you fishing too ?

nope! up to my eyes....it's gonna be one of those years!! :?

i know what ya mean !! dis will be my first comp since the home internationals in june !!

thick with flatties around here at the moment. not much else

There definitely has been a substantial decline in the numbers of flatties. Most likely due to commercial fishing.

Looking thru my fishing diaries of old I certainly caught more and bigger flounder from the beaches than over the last few years. From the quays at Cobh we used to have great fishing for dabs, especially from Nov thru to Jan - often averaging 20 - 30 a session with some fish touching specimen. You don't see that at all now.

I have been catching plenty flats, its coalies and whiting that are lacking from my neck of the woods.

Pete if u stopped wearing the your little pink number out fishin then maybe the flats will oblige?! :D

Interesting that there are not many been caught in the Cork area, except for the esturies and plenty to be caught in the Waterford area.... Could it be that Cork because Cork is closer to the Atlantic Ocean and more effected by the Water Temps of that Ocean??

Maybe I'm watching too much Discovery channel and the blue planet. :roll:

Kev

Its a strange one alright. I appreciate that they may be away spawning at the moment but even throughout the year there seems to be a shortage of them. I know myself I had less than 10 from Cork Beaches for the whole of last year. Although I did pick up 7 in an hour one evening from Monkstown Pier Jan/feb last year and anytime I fished up the estuary in Youghal they were there for the lifting.