On summer nights during low tide in Southeastern North Carolina, you may find something very unexpected out on the water. This "something" that I speak of involves a small boat (Jon boat, 13 ft. Whaler, etc...), bright lights that sit below the surface of the water, a spear and individuals who love to fish. What I am attempting to describe is known as flounder gigging. Only those who live on the Southeastern coast of the United States and love to fish probably know about this unique way of fishing. One of my purposes within this article includes familiarizing as many as possible of this area-specific activity that I have grown up doing.

My earliest memories of flounder gigging take place in the marshes and along the coastal banks of Bald Head Island. My mom's side of the family often gathers on Bald Head Island at my aunt and uncle's beach house for special occasions. We would always go flounder gigging when low tide fell during nightfall. When the conditions were right, we'd never waste the opportunity. My cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings and parents would all take turns cramming into my uncle's little Jon boat. At the time, I would never be given the spear to stab the flounder of guide the boat due to my young age. However, I continue to cherish all the time spent with my family out on the water during the dead of night. This somewhat of a family tradition still continues today. In fact, this past Labor Day weekend my parents attempted to flounder gig at Bald Head with my aunt, uncle, and sister.

Before I continue any further, I feel as though I should actually explain how to flounder gig. As I mentioned before, flounder gigging requires a smaller boat, bright lights that shine beneath the water's surface, a three-pronged spear, and individuals who love to fish. Not only do you need all of these essential things to flounder gig, but the conditions must also be right: low tide and night time. Low tide does not always fall at the same time, so sometimes patience is necessary. In order to gig, you must first motor to an ideal spot that has potential for flounder. This includes coastal banks that do not see wave action, marshes, or any shallow water area where you can see the bottom with lights. Once you have motored to your ideal location, you must lower your bright, water-safe lights beneath the water's surface from the front of your boat. These lights should hover above the sandy bottom. Once all of this has been done, you can then proceed to guide the boat with your spear by using it to push off the sandy bottom (your motor should stay off at this point). Always make sure to keep visual of the bottom as you go.

Now, I should discuss what to actually look for when flounder gigging. For those of you who do not know what a flounder looks like (inland friends I am talking to you), they are flat fish with both eyes on one side. They have a white underside and a brown upper side (side with the eyes). They are very round and when they rest on the ocean floor, they lay completely flat with their white underside down. When flounder gigging at night, the person with the spear (or anyone on the boat), uses the bright lights to look for the outline of the flounder on the sea floor. When you see a round outline with two eyes, you then proceed to stab it with your spear. The ideal place to stab the flounder is just beneath, or on, the fish's gills. Once you stab the fish, you must keep pressing down with the spear to make sure the flounder does not get away (although at this point he would probably have a severe headache if he did get away). Finally, you must get the fish in the boat (not as easy of a task as it sounds).

Flounder gigging season in my area takes place during the late summer months. For those who live farther south, your flounder gigging season comes around during the fall and early winter months. This past summer, my dad and I went out gigging together when the conditions were just right. Whether we found ourselves hitting the jackpot or striking out, I truly believe we both cherished our time spent together doing something we both love. What better way to spend the night than with the people you love while appreciating Mother Nature and all that She provides. You wouldn't believe the world you see beneath the water's surface at night. The bright lights used for flounder gigging give onlookers a very impressive view of the activity that occurs underwater. I have seen drum, skates, needlefish, crabs, and so much more. I would not trade those nights spent on the water or the experiences I have received for anything in this world. Thank you Earth and thank you flounder!