Fourspot Flounders (American Fourspot) are flatfish belonging to the large-tooth family of Flounders. They are almost always caught as bycatch of other species such as sea bass. They can be caught using bottom rigs baited with squid. Live bait is most effective for catching Fourspot flounder.
Habitat: Ocean
How to identify Four-spot Flounder
The Fourspot Flounder is left-eyed and has the ability to camouflage itself by changing its color and pattern of its upper side. Other Flounders such as Yellowtails, Winter, and Witches are right-eyed. The upper side of the Fourspot is gray-brown, and the bottom side (abdomen) is white. Four markings that look like eyes (outlined in a lighter shade) are present on the upper side.
Where to catch Four-spot Flounder
These fish are found in the Atlantic from Nova Scotia down to Florida (including the Gulf of Maine.) They (unlike other Flounders) tend to like deep waters that are between 100 to 400 feet. They move inshore during the summer months. Fourspot flounder are found along the seabed near jetties and piers where the bottom is sandy.
The following are habitats where you can catch Four-spot Flounder:
How to catch Four-spot Flounder
Anglers have the most luck catching fourspot flounder using bottom rigs baited with strips of Squid. Fisherman may also have success catching fourspot flounder with small, weight bucktails baited with squid. Techniques used to catch other types of flounder, including bottom fishing, bottom bouncing and drift fishing also work for catching fourspot flounder.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Four-spot Flounder:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Four-spot Flounder
Fourspot flounder typically feed on live fish, squid, crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and worms. Baits including strips of squid and bucktails are most effective for catching Fourspot flounder. The best bait for catching Fourspot flounder is live bait. Any bait used to catch a fluke, will also work for catching Fourspot flounder.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Four-spot Flounder:
