Lowcountry SC fall flounder migration.
Pre-spawn southern flounder leave inshore habitat in fall (October–November) and migrate offshore to spawn — the fall flounder run.
The fall flounder run staging at inlets and inlet-adjacent waters is the highest-volume flounder fishing of the year — but coincides with closed seasons in NC and TX.
Active spawning behavior. Broadcast spawners offshore. Adult flounder migrate offshore to spawn after years of inshore growth.
Southern flounder are overfished in NC and parts of the Gulf — multiple states close inshore harvest during the fall spawn migration (NC October–November closure is the most prominent). C&R during the
Southern flounder are overfished in NC and parts of the Gulf — multiple states close inshore harvest during the fall spawn migration (NC October–November closure is the most prominent). C&R during the run is mandatory in some states.
Post-spawn flounder return inshore through winter and spring as juveniles recruit to inshore nursery areas.
Spring flounder fishing in inshore creeks and channels begins in March in the Carolinas, building through summer.
Fish disperse to summer habitat and feeding patterns. Spawn cycle complete until following year.
Standard summer fishing tactics apply.
