Cod & Flounder

[divinjames]

A few weeks ago my new buddy and I were diving in an area that seemed to be holding some espically large flounder. So, yesterday we drove the boat over to this chunk of rock reef off Hull and brought the slings along for the dive. We nailed some really nice sized flounder, and to our surprise a few big cod showed up as well. The larger cod measured measured 34"+ and was very fat. I decided to put my bio degree and did a little stomach content check on these guys: both had bellies full of lobster. Bugs remain "in the shed" on the SS, but condtions are improving, we took 11 over the course of 2 dives short dives (my DS remains shipped out repair and I was COLD).

I have a dive buddy who showed me how to take a flounder with his dive knife - it's all about timing - but the most fun way to take a flounder is this:

- Open your bag (make sure it's an empty bag)
- Set it in front of the flounder (he won't move because he knows he is invisible)
- Tap him on the back - he will swim forward right into the bag.

The flounders stay pretty calm until you add a couple lobsters...

 

[Chebby]

Legally here in MA: DO NOT SHOOT STRIPERS, cod have to be 26" and flounder 13" (only shoot stuff that is plenty big).

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I was under the impression that flounder limit was 12' for winter and windowpane flounder and 17' for summer flounder (fluke).

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/recreationalfishing/rec_index.htm

Maybe they lowered it since last year?

I know most of the flonder in MA is winter flounder, but I actually saw one fluke on Cape Ann yesterday (over 17 inches too I think.) I tell them apart easily now after reading this page:

http://www.njscuba.net/biology/sw_fish_flounders.html

Basically you have to figure out which side is the bottom side of the fish (where stomach and pectoral fins are.) After you've established that, note on which (left or right) side the flounder is lying. If on left, it's winter flounder and if on right, it's summer flounder (fluke.) Also, there are other, more subtle ways to tell them apart.