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Expert Guided Texas Flounder Gigging | 4-Hour Trip

  • Published Date: July 16, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Arroyo City, TX
  • $450 - $1,500 price range
  • Updated Date: November 10, 2025

Summary

Get ready for an early morning flounder gigging adventure with Captain Carlos in Texas. As the sun comes up, you'll head out on calm waters with special lights to spot flounder in the shallows. It's a unique way to fish - you'll be wading through just 1-2 feet of water, using a gig to spear the fish you find. This hands-on experience lets you get up close with nature while learning a traditional fishing technique. The clear water makes it easy to see what's swimming below, and there's nothing quite like watching the colors of sunrise spread across the sky as you're out on your hunt. It's a half-day trip that packs in plenty of action, perfect for anglers looking to try something different. With room for 2 guests, you'll get personalized attention from the captain as you learn the ropes of flounder gigging.
Expert Guided Texas Flounder Gigging | 4-Hour Trip

Gigging at Dawn

previous-image
Catch of the day: Southern Flounder, 29 inches, caught in TX

Flounder Gigging, Texas

Two summer flounder caught in Rio Hondo

Flounder

4 fishing catches at Rio Hondo

Flouder Trip and Bay Fishing Trip

Five fish caught in the Rio Hondo river

Results of a whole day of Fishing

Four big black drum and spotted weakfish caught in Rio Hondo

Epic Fishing Haul In Texas

Southern Flounder fish caught at Rio Hondo

Flounder Fishing In Arroyo City, TX

Caught a large Southern Flounder while fishing in TX

Last Cast and we caught this Flounder

A Southern Flounder measuring 21 inches, caught while fishing in Rio Hondo

Flounder fishing in Arroyo City, TX

Anglers with big fish in Texas

Girls can fish too.

7 people fishing in TX

Great night of Fishing with Friends

Catch of the day: Southern Flounder, 29 inches, caught in TX

Flounder Gigging, Texas

Two summer flounder caught in Rio Hondo

Flounder

4 fishing catches at Rio Hondo

Flouder Trip and Bay Fishing Trip

Five fish caught in the Rio Hondo river

Results of a whole day of Fishing

Four big black drum and spotted weakfish caught in Rio Hondo

Epic Fishing Haul In Texas

Southern Flounder fish caught at Rio Hondo

Flounder Fishing In Arroyo City, TX

Caught a large Southern Flounder while fishing in TX

Last Cast and we caught this Flounder

A Southern Flounder measuring 21 inches, caught while fishing in Rio Hondo

Flounder fishing in Arroyo City, TX

Anglers with big fish in Texas

Girls can fish too.

7 people fishing in TX

Great night of Fishing with Friends

Catch of the day: Southern Flounder, 29 inches, caught in TX

Flounder Gigging, Texas

Two summer flounder caught in Rio Hondo

Flounder

4 fishing catches at Rio Hondo

Flouder Trip and Bay Fishing Trip

Five fish caught in the Rio Hondo river

Results of a whole day of Fishing

next-image

Epic Flounder Gigging Adventure in Texas

Ready for a night-time fishing experience like no other? Captain Carlos is itching to take you on a flounder gigging trip that'll have you hooked from the get-go. As the stars fade and the sun peeks over the horizon, you'll be out on the water, armed with lights and gigs, ready to snag some tasty flatfish. This ain't your average fishing trip - it's a heart-pumping, skill-testing adventure that'll leave you with stories to tell for years to come.

What to Expect on the Water

Picture this: You're wading through knee-deep water, the beam of your light cutting through the darkness. Suddenly, you spot it - the unmistakable outline of a flounder, perfectly camouflaged against the sandy bottom. Your heart races as you ready your gig, aiming carefully... That's the thrill of flounder gigging, and it's what Captain Carlos lives for. This half-day trip is perfect for both newbies and seasoned giggers. You'll learn the ropes (or should we say, gigs) from a pro who knows these waters like the back of his hand. And let's not forget the jaw-dropping sunrise you'll witness - it's the kind of view that makes even the toughest anglers go a bit mushy.

Gigging Gear & Techniques

Flounder gigging is a whole different ballgame from your typical rod and reel fishing. You'll be armed with a gig - think of it as a super-specialized spear - and a powerful light. The name of the game is stealth and precision. Captain Carlos will show you how to spot these masters of disguise in just 1-2 feet of water. It's all about reading the bottom, moving slowly, and striking true when you see that telltale flounder shape. Don't worry if you've never held a gig before - by the end of the trip, you'll be wielding it like a pro. And for the tech-heads out there, the lights we use aren't your grandpa's old flashlights. We're talking high-powered LEDs that turn night into day, giving you the best shot at spotting these crafty bottom-dwellers.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Southern Flounder are the stars of this show, and boy, are they a sight to behold. These flat, oddball-looking fish are the ninjas of the sea, able to change their color and pattern to match whatever bottom they're lying on. They've got both eyes on one side of their head (weird, right?), which lets them lie flat and ambush their prey. Southern Flounder can grow up to 25 inches long, but most of what we'll be after are in the 14-20 inch range - perfect eating size.

These bad boys are most active in the fall when they're getting ready to head offshore to spawn. That's when the big ones come out to play, and when gigging really heats up. But don't worry, we can find 'em year-round. Spring and summer are great times too, as the flounder move into shallower waters to feed. The thrill of gigging a big flounder is hard to beat - they're quick, they're clever, and when you finally stick one, it's like hitting the jackpot.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Look, there's fishing, and then there's flounder gigging. It's not just about catching fish - it's about the experience. You're out there in the dark, relying on your instincts and the skills Captain Carlos will teach you. It's primal, it's exciting, and it's addictive as hell. Plus, let's be real - flounder are some of the tastiest fish in the sea. That first bite of fresh-caught, pan-fried flounder? It'll ruin you for all other fish.

But it's not just about the catch. It's about being out on the water as the world wakes up. It's about the stories you'll swap with Captain Carlos and your fishing buddy. It's about that moment when you spot a flounder and everything else just fades away. That's the kind of stuff that keeps folks coming back trip after trip.

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, let's cut to the chase. This half-day flounder gigging trip with Captain Carlos is the real deal. You're getting a world-class guide, top-notch gear, and a shot at some of the best flounder action Texas has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something new or a first-timer wanting to jump in the deep end (figuratively speaking, of course - we'll keep you in the shallows), this trip is for you.

Remember, we're talking about a small-group experience here - just you, your buddy, and the Captain. That means personalized attention and the best chance at a cooler full of flounder. But it also means spots fill up fast, especially during peak season. So don't sit on your hands - if you're itching for some night-time fishing action that'll get your heart racing and your grill sizzling, it's time to lock in your date. Trust me, your taste buds (and your Instagram feed) will thank you. Let's get you out on the water and make some memories, Texas style!

Learn more about the animal

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) Fish Description

A Southern Flounder is a flat, oval fish and is a part of the Paralichthyidae family. It is known for having both of its eyes on the left side of its head. It has an underdeveloped pectoral fin or has none at all. It also does not have any spines on its fins, and its caudal fin is separate.

The Southern Flounder is often mistaken as a Summer Flounder but one of its distinguishing factors among other flounders is its numerous light and dark blotches and spots on their dark side. Other flounders have oscillated spots, which is absent in a Southern Flounder.

It is a known predator, and it ambushes its prey from the bottom, camouflaging itself under sand or mud. It feeds on worms, shrimp, blue crabs, and smaller fishes like anchovies, menhaden, and mullets.

 

Interesting Facts About Southern Flounder

  • A female Southern Flounder can lay up to 9,000 eggs at once.
  • It can change its color and mimic the substrate they are in. This helps help hide from predators and also hunt for prey.
  • Flounders are anguilliform swimmers. They swim using their bodies and caudal fin.
  • Its eyes are both found on one side – also called their ocular side.
  • Most Southern Flounders are 'left-handed' (both eyes on the left side), but there are also 'right-handed' Southern Flounders in rare cases.
  • A male Southern Flounder's life is shorter than its female counterpart. It can live for at most three years only. 
     

Size

A Southern Flounder typically ranges from 15 to 18 inches and can grow as long as 33 inches. Typically, they weigh around 5 lbs. but it recorded an all-tackle weight of 20 lbs—9 oz.

 

Habitat and Distribution

The Southern Flounder is found in the waters along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. It is commonly found in sandy, rocky, or muddy bottoms of shallow waters of coastal marine areas, bays, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. This makes it easier to catch and feed on prey. Most adult Southern Flounders prefer staying offshore during the winter season.
 

Southern Flounder -  Fishing Techniques

The best technique to catch a Southern Flounder is still fishing or drift fishing since they settle at the water's bottom. Anglers can use live fish and artificial lures as bait. It is best to use a single-hooked, slip lead, or free-line rig with heads ranging from  1/4 "- 3/8".  It is advised to use light-to-medium lines with reels that can spool 150 yards per 10 lbs. Anglers can also fly fish using medium lines.

Bull minnows, mullets, and shrimps are the best baits to catch flatfish like flounders.

Southern Flounder
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