Flounder can be taken on live baits (which include mud minnows, finger mullet, pogy and shrimp) and artificials. Several fishing methods can be used with live baits. One is to suspend a bait under a Cajun Thunder float, positioning the boat in the mouth of the creek and cast the bait as far up the feeder as possible. The outgoing current then brings the cork back toward the boat. In the process, fan-cast the creek mouth.

On the incoming tide, flip the cork out of the boat and let the current carry it into the creek; again fan-cast the area, covering as much water as is possible. I like baitcasting gear for fishing the float rig. I can control the bait a little better, and my wrists don't get as tired after several hours of fishing. I prefer an 8-foot, 9-inch rod mated to a low-profile reel. Thirty-pound-test braid works well, as does 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders.

Live bait can also be fished with no float and a fishfinding rig, which is simply a 3/4- to 1 1/2-ounce egg sinker above a swivel, 12 inches of 30-pound-test fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 circle hook.

Jigheads offer another way to fish live bait. When fishing these rigs, anchor the boat in the mouth of the creek and fan-cast the entire area. Most anglers don't thoroughly cover the water when fan-fishing. Start casting to one bank or the other. The next cast should be made just a foot or so to the side of the first. Continue this pattern until you reach the other bank.

Spinning gear works better when fishing without a float in order to increase casting distance. Eight-pound-test mono casts well, yet still provides enough strength to take most flounder.

One thing to keep in mind when fishing live bait is that you must wait before setting the hook. Flounder move as far as 10 yards to settle in a comfortable area, and then turn to scale a baitfish before swallowing it. After disengaging the spool at the take, some anglers wait two or three minutes before setting the hook; I generally count to 20 and let 'er rip.

Flounder can also be taken on artificial lures. A 1/4-ounce white jighead with a chartreuse tail or a 1/4-ounce gold spoon are good for attracting flounder. When you fish artificial baits, don't wait -- set the hook as soon as you feel the bite.

The minimum-size limit in Georgia for flounder is 12 inches; the creel limit is 15 per person. But there's not much meat on a 12-inch flounder, so it makes more sense to only keep those over 14 inches