The biggest summer flounder I have ever seen in my life was staring right at us ! Dayna had fought the monster flounder to the boat with everything she had. But as I attempted to net the fish, he spooked and spit the hook. Disoriented by the fight, the monster flounder swam right to the boat, giving me another shot with the net. OMG, I missed him again! We all watched as it disappeared into the crystal-clear ocean water. Leaving behind a haunting fish story. Adding to the disappointment, it was the first day of the Flounder Pounder Open tournament with $400,000 on the line. I felt like I fumbled the football in the end zone during the Super Bowl. We shake it off and keep fishing.
The fishing was spectacular for the rest of the tournament. We managed to boat a couple of scale-worthy door mate flounder. I lost count of the keeper-size flounder that we released. I am looking forward to the 2026 summer flounder season and the Flounder Pounder Open tournament. Actually, that is an understatement! It is January, and I have begun tying bucktails and rigs.
The Flounder Pounder Open tournament is much more than the record amount of prize money. It is the same way with all the good saltwater flounder tournaments, Grassy Sound, Slake Tide Brewery, King of the Cape, to mention a few of the best. They are loaded with anticipation that begins a year out for me. It is the redwing black birds that greet me as I walk the path to my boat. The essence of the 5000-year-old salt marsh as I load the gear. The fiddler crabs that spook from my shadow. It is the sunrise coupled with the steady cadence of the hull hitting the ocean waves. All the while, I am daydreaming of a fish of a lifetime. The real trophy is the memories! The time spent with family, friends, and those who chew the same dirt is priceless. Tuna chic said it best: “You will never win all of the tournaments, but you can enjoy them all ! “
