One of the tastiest fish caught from the coastal waters of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina is flounder. There are three different varieties of flounder caught in these three states and are equally as delicious. The flatfish lives on soft sand or muck bottoms and are hooked by rod and reel or a process called gigging. Here is how to catch and prepare a cajun flounder sandwich with flatfish in the southeast. 

What Types Of Flounder Are Found In Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina

Anglers fishing in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina have the opportunity to catch three varieties of flounder. 

The three variations include the summer flounder, southern flounder, and gulf flounder. Here is the differences between the three. 

Southern Flounder

The most commonly caught flounder in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina is the southern flounder.

Southern flounders are brown on one side and white on the other, lying in the sand. One notable difference between the southern flounder and the gulf and summer flounder is that they contain small white dots instead of large circles. 

The southern flounder is comparable in size to the summer flounder measuring up to 33 inches in length. 

Summer Flounder

Summer flounders are olive or gray and white on the opposite side. The most prominent markings identifying a summer flounder are three dark brown rings near the tail. 

The summer flounder grows to lengths of 32 inches and is a strong fighter when hooked by anglers fishing from the shore or water. 

Gulf Flounder

Despite it being called a gulf flounder, it is found in Atlantic waters. The gulf flounder is more undersized in size, measuring up to two pounds. 

The olive green body is covered in white spots and three dark brown circles positioned near the head. One ring is above the lateral line, one is on the lateral line, and the third is beneath the lateral line. 

How Do You Catch Flounder In Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina

When you’re ready to head out fishing, use the following techniques to catch fresh flounder for a cajun flounder sandwich. 

The biggest challenge is locating flounder. Believe it or not, flounders are found in both inshore waters and on offshore reefs and wrecks. Here are the techniques for catching flounder inshore and offshore. 

Inshore Flounder Fishing

When inshore fishing for flounder, focus your attention on soft sand and mud bottoms. The flounder is a bottom feeder; therefore, you must present your baits at or near the bottom. 

One of the two best methods includes suspending bait on a hook beneath a popping cork or using a circle hook and lead on the bottom. Here is what you need to know about a popping cork.

Tip the hook with live shrimp, finger mullet, or cut bait. Move from spot to spot until the flounder are located. 

Offshore Flounder Fishing

Locate reefs and wrecks when offshore fishing for flounders. Offshore flounders are more robust in size; therefore, they require a level wind reel and weight that is heavy enough to hold the bottom. Lastly, tie a circle hook to the end of the leader line.  

Add cut bait, live mullet, or live shrimp to the hook and hold the bait on the bottom. When the fish strikes, reel away from the structure below to avoid cutoffs 

No matter if you are inshore or offshore fishing, follow the state’s regulations, become licensed to saltwater fish, and ice the flounder after they are caught. 

How Do You Prepare A Cajun Flounder Sandwich

After the flounder have but caught and filleted, gather the ingredients needed to make the sandwich. Remember, flounders have fillets on both sides, the two on the upper and two on the lower. 

Visit a local grocery store and purchase sandwich rolls, cajun seasoning, tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Rather than buying tartar sauce, make your own by following this tartar sauce recipe. 

Follow these steps to prepare a cajun flounder sandwich.

Step 1. Heat A Frying Pan

Heat a frying pan with butter or oil to medium before placing the fish in the pan. 

Step 2. Prepare The Fish

While the pan is heating, rinse and dry the flounder fillets. Coat the cleaned fillets in cajun seasoning. 

Step 3. Dress The Sandwich Roll

Place an open roll on each plate before spreading tartar sauce and adding tomato, onion, and lettuce. 

Step 4. Cook The Fish

Now that the pan is hot add the flounder fillets carefully—Cook, the flounder between two to three minutes per side. Flip the fillets cautiously to avoid breaking them into pieces as it is a tender white fish. 

Step 5. Add The Fish To The Prepared Rolls

Now that the fish is cooked, cautiously transfer the fillets to the prepared rolls and serve.

The meal is not complete without a side. We recommend serving cajun flounder sandwiches with coleslaw, french fries, or steamed broccoli. 

Now You’re Ready To Catch And Cook A Cajun Flounder Sandwich

The next time you go fishing in the southeastern states of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, focus your attention on flounder both inshore and offshore. Flounder provide a stout battle and make excellent table fare. Ice the fresh catch down and serve them up cajun style on sandwich rolls topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and tartar sauce.