Flounder (lenguado)
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Where to fish
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Habitat
The flounder is a bottom-dwelling species that prefers soft sand and mud substrates, where it can bury itself and camouflage while waiting for prey. You'll find it in the coastal strip of the Argentine sea: sandy beaches with troughs, the mouths of streams and rivers, tidal channels, estuaries, and the entrances to the Patagonian gulfs. It tolerates variable salinity very well, which is why estuarine environments—where fresh water mixes with seawater—tend to be hotspots.
The key to locating it is reading the bottom structure. Look for the holes and troughs that form between sandbars, the drop-offs where the beach falls to greater depth, the baitfish schools (silversides, whitebait, prawns), and the areas of moderate current where the flounder posts up to wait. On the beach, those troughs running parallel to the shore that get exposed at low tide are golden reference points to come back and fish on the incoming tide. In tidal channels and estuaries, aim for the tidal channels and their edges.
As for the season, in Argentina the best flounder period runs from spring to autumn—from November to April—when it moves into shallower, more coastal waters following the warmer water and the abundance of bait. Warmer water activates it and brings it closer to the beach, while in the dead of winter it tends to retreat to greater depths and inshore fishing for it becomes more difficult.
Baits and lures
The flounder is strictly carnivorous and responds very well to both natural bait and lures that imitate forage fish. Since it's a bottom hunter that chases small fish, "live" bait or a strip that moves with the current is deadly.
Natural baits that work in Argentina:
- Whitebait and silverside: perhaps the star bait. As a strip or whole, it imitates the flounder's natural food. A whitebait strip rigged so it "flutters" with the current is a classic and highly effective.
- Prawn and shrimp: excellent bait, especially in estuaries and tidal channels where the flounder eats them regularly.
- Whiting fillet or other white fish in strips: thin, long strips that move with the water trigger the bite.
- Mackerel (magrú) in strips: oily and eye-catching, a good option for spreading scent.
- Crab and other bottom baits: useful in estuarine areas.
Lures that get results:
- Jigs and soft baits (soft plastics/paddle tails) rigged on a jig head, worked tight to the bottom with short twitches. They imitate a wounded fish and trigger the strike of the ambushing flounder.
Recommended gear
The gear for flounder depends on the environment, but since it's a medium-sized fish (0.5 to 3 kg) caught near the bottom, the key is sensitivity to detect its subtle bite and just the right power for the cast and the current.
Beach surfcasting:
- Rod: surf rod of 3.60 to 4.20 m, medium-power action (casting sinkers of ~60 to 120 g depending on current and wind). Look for a sensitive tip that "marks" the flounder's taps.
- Reel: a good-sized spinning or conventional reel (6000–8000 size for spinning), with a progressive drag and good line capacity.
- Main line: braid of 0.20–0.30 mm for its low stretch and greater sensitivity to feel the bite at a distance; or nylon monofilament of 0.35–0.40 mm if you prefer something more forgiving with more shock absorption.
- Leader: fluorocarbon or nylon of 0.40–0.60 mm. Bottom rigs of the paternoster type with one or two hooks and a gripping sinker (breakaway/grip lead) to hold the line firm in the trough.
- Hooks: fine, long, and very sharp, from size 1/0 to 3/0 depending on the bait; ideal for hooking the flounder's mouth well.
Boat drifting / spinning with soft plastics:
- Rod: spinning rod of 1.80 to 2.10 m, medium or medium-light action, with a sensitive tip for working tight to the bottom.
- Reel: 3000–4000 spinning reel balanced with the rod.
- Line: fine braid of 0.15–0.20 mm for maximum sensitivity, with a fluorocarbon leader of 0.30–0.45 mm.
- Rig: jig heads of just the right weight to touch bottom depending on depth and current, rigged with paddle tail or shad-type soft plastics.
In every case, prioritize well-sharpened hooks and an abrasion-resistant leader: the flounder has fine teeth and is usually caught over bottoms with structure.
Fishing techniques
Flounder fishing in Argentina is practiced mainly from shore (surfcasting) and also from a boat drifting, always working near the bottom, which is where it lives.
Bottom fishing / beach surfcasting. This is the classic method. You cast the bait to the troughs and holes, let the sinker settle on the bottom, and keep the line semi-taut. The fine detail: the flounder gives a characteristic two-stage bite—first it mouths and "works" the bait, producing soft, repeated taps, and only afterward swallows it. Don't set the hook on the first tap. Let it eat, wait until you feel firm weight, and only then set the hook with a clean motion. Setting the hook too eagerly is the number one mistake with this species.
Boat fishing on the drift. Very effective in tidal channels, estuaries, and gulfs. You let the boat drift with the current, dragging the bait or soft plastic near the bottom, covering ground until you find the posted-up fish. It's an excellent way to "comb" troughs and tidal channels.
Spinning with soft plastics and jigs. A more active and sporting method: you cast a soft bait or jig with a jig head and work it tight to the bottom with short twitches and pauses, letting it "die" between hops. The bite usually comes on the pause, when the lure drops. Ideal for anglers who prefer to actively hunt the fish rather than wait.
Guide tips:
- Take advantage of the tides. The moving water activates feeding; the hours around the rising tide and the tide changes tend to be the best.
- Fish the troughs you spotted at low tide: they're food highways when the water comes up.
- The best hours are dawn, dusk, and night, when the flounder hunts in lower light.
- Fine, well-sharpened hooks: the flounder's mouth and the way it eats demand a good hook set.
- Patience on the bite: feel it, wait, and set the hook when it's firm.
Closed season & regulations
Antes de salir a pescar lenguado es fundamental informarse sobre la normativa vigente, porque la veda, la talla mínima y el cupo de captura VARÍAN según la provincia y el año, y cambian con frecuencia. En Argentina la pesca deportiva marítima se regula a nivel provincial (y en ciertos casos nacional), de modo que lo que rige en la costa bonaerense puede diferir de lo que rige en Río Negro, Chubut o Santa Cruz.
Por qué existe la veda. La veda es una prohibición temporal de captura que se establece, sobre todo, para proteger a los peces durante su época reproductiva y permitir que se renueve la población. Respetarla no es un trámite: es lo que garantiza que siga habiendo lenguados para pescar en los próximos años. Lo mismo vale para la talla mínima (devolver los ejemplares que no llegan a la medida legal, porque muchos todavía no se reprodujeron) y para el cupo (límite de piezas por pescador y jornada, pensado para repartir el recurso de forma sostenible).
Pesca con devolución (catch & release). El lenguado es una especie de crecimiento relativamente lento y muy presionada por la pesca costera, así que la cultura de la devolución es especialmente valiosa. Devolver los ejemplares grandes (los mejores reproductores) y quedarse solo con lo que uno va a consumir es una práctica que cada vez más pescadores responsables adoptan. Si vas a devolver, manejá al pez con las manos mojadas, minimizá el tiempo fuera del agua y usá anzuelos sin rebaba cuando puedas.
Lo importante y honesto: no publicamos acá fechas de veda, tallas mínimas ni cupos concretos porque esos números cambian por provincia y por temporada, y una cifra desactualizada puede hacerte cometer una infracción sin querer. Consultá siempre la fuente oficial antes de salir: la Dirección de Fauna, Pesca o Recursos Naturales de la provincia donde vas a pescar, o el organismo de pesca marítima correspondiente. Sacá tu permiso de pesca deportiva vigente y verificá la reglamentación actualizada de ese año.
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Frequently asked questions about flounder (lenguado)
Where can you fish Flounder (lenguado) in Argentina?
Some of the best places to fish flounder (lenguado) are Necochea / Río Quequén, San Clemente del Tuyú, Villa Gesell. On PESQA you get the map, access info, seasons and verified guides for each one.
What's the best time to fish Flounder (lenguado)?
The best time for flounder (lenguado) is dec–mar. Check each place's page for the bite calendar and to respect current closed seasons.
What gear is used to fish Flounder (lenguado)?
The gear for flounder depends on the environment, but since it's a medium-sized fish 0.5 to 3 kg caught near the bottom, the key is sensitivity to detect its subtle bite and just the right power for the cast and the current. Beach surfcasting: - Rod: surf rod of 3.60 to 4.20 m, m
