Flounder Revolution

13-pound flounder eats shrimp! (video) plus more

Flounder Revolution — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:03:17 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

This is typically quiet time around Flounder Revolution (R) headquarters as I delve into other projects in the Moore Outdoors universe.

Still, I like to peak my head out and let you know I am alive.

For those of you who have never seen the amazing videos we put together showing flounder hitting baitfish, they are up on my blog at fishgame.com.

Click the links below to view

13-pounder eats shrimp!

Flounder Hit and Run

10-second rule proven

Search for State Record Class: Slots Available

There are a few slots available for the next Flatfish University (TM) course.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Feb. 11 Flatfish University ™ will host the very first Search for the State Record class.

This class is all about someone from Flatfish University ™ breaking the current state record for flounder (13 pounds) and targeting big, big fish. As far as I know there has never been any class or even writings dealing with this specific level of seeking giant flounder.

The class will detail the following:

*Creating a very specific game plan to target the very biggest flounder

*Monster flounder tackle selection

*Live bait riggings and presentation

*How to utilize lures and live bait in tandem

*Top days to target monster flounder

*Unlocking mysteries of the south wind and the flounder bite

*How to fish deep drop-offs

*The fall purge: What it is and how it can help you catch monster flounder

*GPS coordinates to top big flounder spots along the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

*Methods for keeping a big flounder alive for hatchery donation

*How to certify water body and state records

The class will be held at Gander Mountain in Beaumont, TX and is limited to 20 participants. This class is getting close to selling out. All classes sold out last year and we expect the same in 2012.

The author with a 13 pound, 11-ounce flounder from the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. As you can see record-sized flounder do exist.

This very limited class costs $44.95 and includes an e-book curriculum. In addition everyone in attendance will be put in a drawing for a Mr. Twister/Exude lure package to be given away that day.

Send online payments to cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com via Paypal.

Send checks to “Moore Outdoors” 101 Broad St. Orange, TX 77630. E-mail to reserve spot if sending checks.

God bless,

Chester Moore

Search for state record flounder begins Feb. 11

Flounder Revolution — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:20:00 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

It has been awhile since I checked in but I promise this announcement will be worth the wait.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Feb. 11 Flatfish University ™ will host the very first Search for the State Record class.

This class is all about someone from Flatfish University ™ breaking the current state record for flounder (13 pounds) and targeting big, big fish.

The class will detail the following:

*Creating a very specific game plan to target the very biggest flounder

*Monster flounder tackle selection

*Live bait riggings and presentation

*How to utilize lures and live bait in tandem

*Top days to target monster flounder

*Unlocking mysteries of the south wind and the flounder bite

*How to fish deep drop-offs

*The fall purge: What it is and how it can help you catch monster flounder

*GPS coordinates to top big flounder spots along the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

*Methods for keeping a big flounder alive for hatchery donation

*How to certify water body and state records

The class will be held at Gander Mountain in Beaumont, TX and is limited to 20 participants. This will sell out. All classes sold out last year and we expect the same in 2012.

The author with a 13 pound, 11-ounce flounder from the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. As you can see record-sized flounder do exist.

This very limited class costs $44.95 and includes an e-book curriculum. In addition everyone in attendance will be put in a drawing for a Mr. Twister/Exude lure package to be given away that day.

Sign up before Friday and get in for only $39.95.

Send online payments to cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com via Paypal. Send checks to “Moore Outdoors” 101 Broad St. Orange, TX 77630. E-mail to reserve spot if sending checks.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and an incredible 2012. Expect BIG things (especially in the fishing department) for yourself this year.

God bless,

Chester Moore

Flatfish University ™ is brought to you by Mr. Twister in 2012

And the "Flounder Revolution Angler of the Year" is...

Flounder Revolution — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:36:36 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

The 2011 Flounder Revolution (R) Angler of the Year is Justin Hawkins.

After catching, photographing and releasing the most Sabine area fish ever entered into competition he ended up with a tally of 635.5 inches.

Photo courtesy Justin Hawkins

Hawkins will receive a trophy as well as a flounder tackle package worth $1,000. He now joins Chris Dial and Jantzen Miller our 2009 and 2010 winners as unique representatives of flounder fishing who have helped step things up for conservation.

Both of our former winners were competitive his year and deserve kudos just as Case Williams, Justin Pelton, Mike Bishop and Chester Moore, Sr. do for submitting fish.

Once again this year many anglers reported releasing fish that were not quite 20 inches to help with conservation efforts, showing the Flounder Revolution (R) has taken hold in the hearts and minds of many anglers on the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

Look for an even bigger year for this project in 2012. The Coastal Conservation Association has once again signed on to sponsor the replica program and Costa will provide a pair of their premium sunglasses for all anglers who earn a replica fish.

Upgrade is in the air!

God bless,

Chester Moore

Gear of the "Fall Flounder Run"

Flounder Revolution — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:28:16 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

Last week's Fall Flounder Run (TM) brought to you by Mr. Twister/Exude and Flatfish University (TM) saw me catch and release 102 flounder in four days. While it might seem as if the flounder were jumping in the boat, the fact is I had to fish really hard to make that happen and a big part of the success can be attributed to the gear I used.

The following is a breakdown of what it made all possible.

2.5-inch Sassy Shad: This small shad imitation from Mr. Twister in the clear/silver flake/black back caught the vast majority of the fish. They wanted something small and the water for the most part was clear so I offered up this lifelike shad imitation rigged on a sixteenth ounce jighead for most of the run and toward the end used an eighth ounce. Tipped with a small piece of shrimp it proved to be a deadly combo.

2-inch Mr. Twister Teenie: Like I said, the fish wanted something small and when we came across murkier water this was the ticket and was probably responsible for 15-20 of the fish caught. Curltails are my all-time favorite lures for flounder and as I have learned the last couple of years, sometimes going small is what it takes.

Mike Iaconelli Combo: This inexpensive combo geared toward young people proved super sensitive, yet it sported enough backbone for a good flounder hookset. I used Stren Fluorocast on it in 8-pound test and believe this is a great option for anglers seeking an inexpensive flounder finesse rig. Plus, it has Mike's saying, "Never Give Up!" on the shaft to add a bit of inspiration.

Stren Fluorocast: The water called for fluorocarbon due to clarity for most of the trip so I used what has proven to be a sensitive, abrasion resistant line over the last couple of years for yours truly.

Nanofil: The new class of line from Berkley which I wrote about after ICAST 2011 helped out and allowed me to catch probably 30 of the fish. I had it rigged up on another rod for making long, precision casts into a shallow area we could not reach from boat and also as we wrapped up our fishing from bank. I added a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader (and I don't like leaders but it was needed due to clarity) and an eighth ounce jig head using the Sassy Shad. I was able to make casts at least 20 feet longer with this line than just the fluorocarbon. I have used this a fair amount crappie fishing this year and am starting to add it to my flounder repertoire.

Fenwick Elite Tech River Runner: This is the rod I used with the Nanofil and in conjunction with a Pflueger Supreme spinning reel. The bite for most of the trip was very light so this rod allowed me to feel it and still have a bit of backbone. I have been using this rod for finesse fishing for awhile and love the action.

As you can see I had to use very specific gear to make it happen. I started off using the power gear (pool cue rod/heavy braid) but the fact is the conditions and the flounder bite called for a far more delicate approach.

What this proves is that flounder are not just some dumb fish that will hit anything you pull over them but they are every bite as dynamic as largemouth bass or speckled trout. There is no way I would have caught as many fish if I had not adapted. And the truth is if this would have been one of those bites that called for heavier gear I would have probably hit the 100 mark in two days. I could have done that at Calcasieu a few weeks ago easily and truthfully using the heavy gear and that kind of bite is my preference.

However, I like to catch flounder no matter what and the "Fall Flounder Run" shows what a difference gear can make and that you can make a lost of adjustments to make the flounder cooperate.

For those of you wanting to learn more about catching flounder at this level I will be announcing a couple of the 2012 Flatfish University (TM) clinics brought to you by Mr. Twister/Exude in the coming weeks.

God bless,

Chester Moore

"Fall Flounder Run" concludes

Flounder Revolution — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:07:55 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

If someone would have proposed to me the idea of trying to catch and release 100 flounder all on lures in five days just three or four years ago I would have passed. The fact is the fishery in Texas was just not up to par and I had lost my confidence in some key flounder areas.

So as I stood on the shore and released flounder number 102 into the marsh near Bridge City, I could not help but smile and think how much things have changed in just a few short years. The regulation changes protecting the fish during spawning time, cutting back on commercial harvest and a new flounder stocking program have made a huge difference. We'll get into those numbers in an update at the end of the month but for now just know I could not be happier with where the fishery is headed.

Flounder No. 102 made history but hopefully gets to make babies as she was put back into the Bridge City Marsh to produce more of her kind. She's a beauty, isn't she?

Now to the challenge.

I came up with the idea for the Fall Flounder Run (TM) a few months back and when Mr. Twister/Exude signed on to sponsor Flatfish University (TM) it seemed like a perfect way to celebrate this partnership. Catch and release 100 flounder in five days on artificial lures. Sounds crazy? At times it felt like it.

However, I am happy to report the goal was reached and exceeded on the evening of the run's fourth day. My Dad and I went out after church and combined caught more than 35 flounder all on Mr. Twister 2.5-inch Sassy Shad rigged on an eighth ounce jighead tipped with shrimp. I was at 81 flounder going into the day and the 21 I caught put me at 102.

This event was not about numbers, my fishing skill or personal aspirations. It was about raising awareness to flounder conservation and showing people great things can be done if they have the gift of belief.

I am no better than anyone else out there. Any fishing skills I have were not natural, but learned and practiced again and again. I do however have a larger than life passion for flounder and flounder fishing which pushes me to do things like this project. God has blessed me with the opportunity to be involved with flounder in my career and I truly hope this project shows that your passions, no matter what they may be, can put you on the path to seeing dreams realized.

It was important to me that we end this run from the bank where many flounder fishermen are relegated to fishing. I have always said flounder are a fish of the people and their comeback will benefit everyone from the wealthy with the most expensive bay boat money can buy to the person who can barely afford a license and gas to get to their favorite bank fishing destination. Everyone rich or poor deserves to be able to catch fish. As that last fish (an 18-incher) splashed me with her big tail as she swam into the waters near Bridge City, only a stone's throw from where I lost a big flounder as a child that birthed my passion for the species, it all sort of came together.

Yes, this project helped me reach some personal goals and was good business to promote my flounder teachings but it was really about you.

If you have dreams that involve flounder they are attainable. Set your sites on catching your biggest ever fish or putting your child on their first flounder because you can do it. Life is good my friends and we have some super cool things coming your way to be announced soon.

Lure Pack Winners

Kelly Gunn got Monday's Mr. Twister/Exude lure pack by photo texting this super spotted caught and released flounder.

Mr. Twister/Exude provided me with some lure packages and decals to give out during the run. Each day the the first angler to photo text or email me a flounder they caught and released that day won. The response was great. Here are the winners

Thursday: Scott Bandy

Friday: Case Williams

Saturday: Case Williams

Sunday: Justin Hawkins

Monday: Kelly Gunn

We'll have another update later in the week with a few exclusive notes on techniques and gear from the quest as well as other announcements. Thanks for all the support and a special thanks to Mr. Twister/Exude for helping make it happen.

God bless,

Chester Moore

Flounder Revolution (R)

Fall Flounder Run Day 2 recap

Flounder Revolution — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:29:44 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

What a difference a day makes for the Fall Flounder Run (TM) brought to you by Mr. Twister/Exude in association with Flatfish University (TM). I suspect we would have high pressure today and when I woke up to perfectly calm conditions, I knew it would be a tough day and it was. I only bumped the tally up to 30 by catching and releasing seven flounder and let me tell you that was hard work. It was an incredibly strange bite, maybe the weirdest I have ever experienced.

Besides being a great combo for finesse fishing, the author's Abu Garcia Mike Iaconelli combo has a great logo for the Fall Flounder Run (TM). As Mike would say, "Never give up!"

A few fish hit with the classic THUMP and hold but most of the others would thump, let go, thump, let go, thump and let go. I say this is what they were doing because I had the incredibly unique opportunity to watch it happen twice today. From around 11-noon I had two fish bite while fishing parallel to a shallow, clear water bank and follow the lure all the way to me. When I stopped, they hit really hard, spit out and repeated several times. I was never able to catch either fish as they finally quite and swam off.

Congratulations to Scott Bandy for winning the Mr. Twister/Exude lure package of the day for photo texting a shot of this beautiful little Sabine flounder to 409-920-2062. The first angler to send in photos of a flounder they caught and released that day for the remaining three days get this package, personally chosen by yours truly.

It was weird but super cool to get to see what I had felt several times that morning take place. It is a rare thing to have that happen with flounder. The fish today came on two-inch pink Teenies from Mr. Twister and their two-inch smoked-colored Sassy Shad from their Exude line, both tipped with shrimp and fished on an Abu Garcia Mike Iaconelli combo with Stren Flurocast line.

I have to regroup in the morning and although there will be big winds I believe I will be able to catch more fish than today. I hope so. I have a loooong way to go to get to 100. However, this journey is already proving personally inspirational and gratifying.

Thank you all for the emails, texts phone calls and Facebook messages.

The support for this project is amazing.

God bless,

Chester Moore

"Fall Flounder Run" Day 1 recap

Flounder Revolution — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:04:00 GMT

Wow!

What a crazy way to start a quest to catch 100 fish. Today I sat on on the Fall Flounder Run (TM) brought to you by Mr. Twister/Exude and Flatfish University (TM).

The winds were forecast 10 to 15 mph (which is bad enough) as I learned from my buddy Gabe from IHuntFIsh clothing that means you're supposed to add the numbers. We had 25 mph north winds making fishing in the Sabine channel EXTREMELY difficult so he must be right. However 2 of the first 3 casts yielded fish, then they shut off after that.

At that point I switched from 4-inch smoked-colored curltails fished one of my pool cue sticks with 40-pound braid and went to 2-inch pink Teenie grubs from Mr. Twister fished on a short 1/z jighead and tipped with shrimp but fished on 8-pound Stren Flourocast. This made a huge difference and I started stacking up the numbers of caught and released fish quickly. I moved down a ways and could not get bit so went back to the four-inch on braid since the water was a little murkier and put five away quickly and then it shut down.

The author and one of many fish he caught today on a 2-inch pink Teenie from Mr. Twister.

My Dad and I went down and found a little clearer water and I went back to fluorocarbon with the 2-inch pink Teenies and caught a bunch of fish in the course of an hour. We ended up abandoning the channel and finished up doing some bank fishing in one of the most protected spots we could find and ended the day with a few more fish. The total of the day for me was 23 fish all caught on lures and released to produce more of their kind. All in all it was a wild but highly productive day.

The highlight besides being nearly 1/4 way toward my goal of 100 fish by Monday night was seeing a big flounder come up to the surface and attack some shrimp that were cruising with the current. It made a big roll, grabbed one of the shrimp and went back down. Then I flipped a pink curltail and soon felt it's "thump". Go to http://www.flounderrun.com for video tips and photos from the trip and don't forget to follow me on Twitter @moore_outdoors.

I put up lots of updates in real time today and will do the same the rest of the journey.

Dream BIG and fish with intensity!

Chester Moore

"Fall Flounder Run" is on!

Flounder Revolution — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

By the time you read this posting the Fall Flounder Run (TM) brought to you by Mr. Twister/Exude in association with Flatfish University (TM) will be on!

As you have probably read over the last couple of weeks this project will be me seeking to catch, release and log 100 flounder on artificial lures in five days. Crazy? Yes! Doable? I believe so.

The goal is to raise awareness to flounder conservation and show that flounder are a dynamic species that are not a live bait only proposition. I have nothing in the world against catching them on mud minnows and mullet but I prefer fooling them on plastic.

For daily reports and video tips go to http://www.flounderrun.com or for up to the minute updates via Twitter follow @moore_outdoors.

Each day the first angler to photo text 409-920-2062 or e-mail their flounder photo to cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com with a photo of a flounder they caught and released that day gets a special lure pack courtesy Mr. Twister/Exude.

I personally picked some of my favorite lures from their incredible line of flounder friendly products and when I get the first photo message via email or text that person will be put down to get this super cool package pictured below.

The angler who logs the most flounder in the course of five days gets a signed copy of my book Flounder Fever and a free slot in a 2012 Flatfish University ™ course of your choice.

Thanks to Mr. Twister/Exude for making this possible and to all of you for supporting my work on behalf of flounder.

This will be a wild ride for sure!

Please guys keep me in your prayers while on the road and waters as I will fish practically 24/7 if need to be get this done. I would also appreciate prayers for focus and awareness as those will be two keys to getting those fish during what looks like it will be a tough bite opening day.

Always dream BIG and fish with intensity!

God bless,

Chester Moore

Flatfish University, Mr. Twister/Exude team for "Fall Flounder Run"

Flounder Revolution — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:10:16 GMT

Fall offers Gulf Coast anglers the greatest opportunity to score on southern flounder.

The flounder bite turns on as they migrate out of the bays to spawn in deep Gulf waters.

From Nov. 10-14, award-winning outdoors communicator, conservationist and flounder expert Chester Moore will take this angling opportunity to the extreme.

“In celebration of Mr. Twister/Exude becoming the 2012 sponsor of my flounder clinics, Flatfish University ™, I am embarking on the first annual ‘Fall Flounder Run ™ ’. I will fish five days to catch, release and document 100 or more flounder on artificial lures,” Moore said.

“That means with a healthy supply of Twister Tails I will hit my favorite flounder hotspots at Lake Calcasieu, Sabine lake and Galveston Bay.”

Moore will log his daily catches at flounderrun.com and live via Twitter @moore_outdoors.

“At various points throughout the day flounder fans can check in and get updates on how many fish have been caught. Each night there will be video clips up at flounderrun.com, but the best part is all anglers are invited to participate.”

“I personally picked some of my favorite lures from their incredible line of products and when I get the first photo message via email or text that person will be put down to get this super cool package,” Moore said.

The angler who logs the most flounder in the course of five days gets a signed copy of Moore’s book Flounder Fever and a free slot in a 2012 Flatfish University ™ course of their choice.

Moore said he loves to eat flounder himself but chose this to be a catch-and-release project to prove a point.

“Flounder are a valuable sportfish and if we start turning back the big fish and letting them spawn we can help secure their future. We do that through our Flounder Revolution ® online tournament every year and provided anglers with replicas of their catches due to the generosity of the Coastal Conservation Association as well as the Fish Mount Store who create the awesome mounts.”

“By making this a catch-and-release event I am having fun and showing anglers not only that artificial lures work great for flounder but these are a fish that is valuable beyond their table worthiness.”

Is he nervous the 100 fish challenge can’t be met?

“It will be tough for sure but I am far more excited to push myself to do something that has never been done before on behalf of my favorite fish. In short, I am inspired.”

Follow the Fall Flounder Run ™ at the following outlets:

http://www.flounderrun.com

http://www.twitter.com/moore_outdoors

Flounder Inspiration

Flounder Revolution — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:53:04 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

Last week I received emails from Bill Kinney and Gina Rice of CCA that really inspired me. It seems the conservation message on flounder is really getting out there and even hitting the youth.

One of CCA's New Tide members Isabel Young, age 11 of River Oaks Baptist School, did a school project dealing with the food chain and used flounder as the focal point. It is great to see young people understanding ecology and the need to be good stewards of our resources.

Thanks Isabel for inspiring us with your creativity and vision for conservation!

God bless,

Chester Moore

Costa supports Flounder Revolution

Flounder Revolution — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:44:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Moore Outdoors

cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com

409-920-2062

Costa supports the Flounder Revolution (R).

Costa will supply a pair of their premium polarized sunglasses to promote anglers participating in the 2012 Flounder Revolution (R) replica tournament season (March-Nov.)

Now in addition a realistic fiberglass replica of their, catch anglers will also receive stylish, functional shades.

"Costa is a very conservation conscientious company who are doing some great things with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and other outlets to help ensure the sustainable future of our coastal resources," said Flounder Revolution (R) founder Chester Moore.

"Since CCA is the sponsor of the replica program by donating the funds to purchase the amazing replicas produced by the Fish Mount Store, it is great to have Costa enhance the prestige of earning one of those replicas which of course means someone released a possible catch-of-a-lifetime flounder to make that happen. This will no doubt spark more interest in the project and inspire anglers to put back those 20 inch and better flounder."

For decades flounder along the Gulf Coast were in decline and in many areas they still are. In Texas however new regulations put in place in 2009 along with a new stocking program and a conservation ethic promoted by Flounder Revolution (R) is seeing the important species blaze an epic comeback trail.

"The key now is continually raising awareness and ensuring the big spawning-sized females get put back voluntarily so they can produce more of their kind. Through the help of partners like Costa and CCA and most importantly the anglers willing to make the sacrifice of releasing those fish that is happening and I could not be more excited," Moore said.

Take part in the Fall Flounder Run!

Flounder Revolution — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:16:00 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

I am excited to announce the Fall Flounder Run brought to you by Mr. Twister/Exude. From Nov. 10-14, I will be fishing at various points along the Texas and Louisiana coasts with the goal of catching and releasing 100 or more flounder on artificial lures.

The goal is to raise awareness to flounder conservation and to show these fish are every bit as dynamic as speckled trout or even largemouth bass for that matter. Some of the fish will be donated to Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson to be used as broodstock for their flounder stocking program.

Each day of the event there will be a blog posting here with an exclusive videos giving tips on flounder fishing as well as updates from the previous day's fishing. There will also be Twitter updates throughout the day so go ahead and ad me on Twitter by clicking here so you can follow.

Here's the coolest part. You can participate and win! Here's how.

*Each blog posting will have a trivia question pertaining to flounder. The first person to email me at cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com each day with the answer will win a special curl-tailed grub package from Mr. Twister. These are colors I hand picked for flounder fishing and they include some of the micro grubs I have been using to great success and shared with you here over the last year.

The first angler to send in a photo with a caught and released flounder each day of the event get a special prize package. Here Scott Bandy shows a nice Sabine flattie.

*Additionally, we want you fishing during the peak of the fall season with us. Each day the first person who either emails me at cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com or photo text messages me at 409-920-2062 showing yourself with a flounder you caught and released (I trust you) that day gets a special signed Flatfish University (TM) print and a pack of Twister Tails.

Don't worry I am not going all green on you and releasing every fish I catch. I still like to stuff flounder with crab meat and slather them in butter! I have too much Cajun in me to release everything all the time.

This excursion however is to promote conservation and show that flounder are a valuable sport fish and one that is fun and challenging to catch.

There will be reminders coming before the event and lots more coming. We're ending 2011 in a huge way here and could not be more excited.

God bless,

Chester Moore

John 3:16

(Video) Flounder eggs hatch!

Flounder Revolution — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:10:00 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

I had the wonderful blessing of getting to speak to the Brazoria Co. chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association Tuesday night. While the event was happening flounder in the Galveston Bay tank spawned and the eggs fertilized.

Check out this cool video to see exactly what happened. Click here to view the video if you cannot see the imbedded link.

Aggressive Baby Flounder

Morris Houck of the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club sent in this incredible example of flounder aggression. Don't strain your eyes too much trying to see the flounder that is much smaller than the jig it was caught on.

Mr. Twister/Exude presents the Fall Flounder Run

I am excited that Mr. Twister/Exude has signed on to sponsor our 2012 Flatfish University (TM) clinics and to celebrate that I will embark on the first annual Fall Flounder Run. This is a five-day flounder fishing odyssey that will see me attempting to catch, release (including donating fish to Sea Center Texas for broodstock) and document 100 flounder on lures in five days to raise awareness to flounder conservation.

On Monday we will announce the dates and give you details on how you can win prizes from Mr. Twister/Exude and even participate in this unique event.

They're Biting!

Check out this big one I caught in the last week using the popping cork rig I shared recently on this blog. The fall run is about to blast off. We're in the middle stage with the full-fledged migration to the Gulf just around the corner.

God bless,

Chester Moore

Flounder Flippin' and Flatfish Replicas

Flounder Revolution — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Last week I ran this photo in the Port Arthur News and Orange Leader newspapers as part of my Chester's Critter Cam project which seeks unique wildlife photos. After it had a first run there, I had to share this one with all of you.

Reader George Elizondo captured a very unique predator-prey reaction, a dolphin flipping what looks like a flounder out of the water in a feeding frenzy.

“I have never seen this before in Lake Sabine. The water was very, very salty. The porpoises were circling and herding the fish in the south levee pocket in water about 5-6 ft deep. Best I could count; there were about 4 porpoises. I followed them about a mile down the levee until it got too shallow for them.”

Photo courtesy George Elizondo

“I had my camera with me when I went speck fishing Aug. 19 on the south levee road on Pleasure Island. At first I thought they were sharks, until they started jumping out of the water throwing fish in the air and catching them.”

Thanks to Mr. Elizondo for giving us a glimpse of this feeding phenomenon.

Dolphins are always interesting to watch and their ability to flip flounder out of the water and corral schools of fish is amazing to see. Several readers reported seeing dolphins flip flounder around them during the fall run in Cameron last year in water as shallow as three feet deep.

Hopefully this will not incite more of the humorous calls for dolphin control that inspired me to write the editorial in Texas Fish & Game called "Shooting Flipper?". This is a natural part of the cycle and to blame dolphins any flounder population problem and ignore things like commercial harvest and bycatch is just plain silly.

You can check out unique outdoors videos weekly at http://www.panews.com/outdoors and http://www.orangeleader.com/outdoors.

Awesome Flounder Replicas

Watch this video to check out the replicas anglers can earn via our March-Nov. online catch-and-release tournament. Click here to watch if the video doesn't show up in your browser.

Mr. Twister/Exude to sponsor Flatfish University

Flounder Revolution — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:12:34 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

I am proud to announce that Mr. Twister/Exude will be the sponsors of Flatfish University (TM) for 2012.

My relationship with Mr. Twister goes back many years when my good friend and flounder mentor Capt. Skip James introduced me to their Twister Tail, a lure that literally changed everything about my flounder fishing. Since then I have caught literally thousands of flounder on variations of that lure, including its smaller cousin the Meeny and am more than excited to have them as our sole sponsor next year.

This will allow us to upgrade our classes with more multi-media applications and do some other things that will be announced early next year. We will also be doing some exclusive contests at my various seminars and clinics not only as part of Flatfish University (TM) but also F.L.E.X. Fishing (R).

In addition, I am also thrilled to announce this sponsorship will kick off in a big way in November with a new event called the Fall Flounder Run.

This will involve yours truly fishing five solid days for flounder during the peak of the run with a goal of catching and documenting 100 flounder caught on lures. All fish will be released or donated to Sea Center Texas to help provide broodstock for Texas' flounder stocking program.

There will be daily blog updates with video and photos, plus Mr. Twister/Exude product giveaways and opportunities for you you to join in on the fun in the field. Dates will be announced soon as will the key destinations.

All Flatfish University (TM) classes in 2011 sold out quickly and we expect the same next year. While that is good from a business perspective it means much more to me because that means you believe in the work I have done and continue to do on taking flounder fishing to entirely new levels. From the bottom of my heart thank you.

Know that we are going to end 2011 on a high note with the Fall Flounder Run and with Mr. Twister/Exude's help we will do great things in 2012 with our classes.

Upgrade is in the air and so is autumn.

I don't know about you but I am ready to feel the thump of a big saddle blanket-sized flounder's strike!

God bless,

Chester Moore

Flatfish University Wraps for 2011

Flounder Revolution — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:45:04 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

Yesterday marked the final Flatfish University (TM) course for 2011 with a killer event at Bass Pro Shops in Pearland, TX. Besides having an amazing room to host the class, the staff were extremely friendly and went beyond the call of duty. We hope to return there in 2012.

The class was "Fall Run Strategies and Secrets of the Winter Period" and covered the incredible dynamics of both the peak time for flounder fishing and the most misunderstood (winter). I want to personally thank everyone who attended this and all of my classes this year. You are helping to realize a dream of mine and also doing great things for flounder fishing and I deeply appreciate that. I hope you all know that. As those who were in attendance yesterday know there are some big announcements coming tomorrow. Make sure and check them out because what is about to happen ensures next year will be an even bigger year for us and there is something super cool left for 2012 and you can participate.

Here are some shots from yesterday. Enjoy, check in tomorrow and God bless!
Chester

Chester Moore breaks down the chronology of the fall run.

Jaime Lazcano, Brenda Sandoval and Chester Moore wear their Flatfish University (TM) shirts and show off some of the killer replicas The Fish Mount Store provides for the Flounder Revolution (R) replica tournament.

Rocke Roy has made all available courses and drives all the way in from Louisiana. Several others have also been to all classes. The dedication of everyone who attends the classes is very much appreciated.

Chester Moore walked attendees through the fishing department so they could check out the gear they heard about in the clinic.

Flounder and roseau cane (video)

Flounder Revolution — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:53:53 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

Before I get my gear ready for tomorrow morning's flounder fishing expedition I thought I post a clip I shot talking about the advantages of fishing roseau cane, a greatly underutilized habitat type in flounder fishing circles. Enjoy.

Replica Entry

Sabine keeps cranking out big flounder this year. Justin Hawkins submitted his second entry for 2011 with a beautiful dark-colored fish typical of the extreme Upper Coast.

Courtesy Photo

Brazoria CCA

I will be speaking at the Brazoria County CCA next Tuesday Oct. 18 at Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. It is always fun to visit the facility and visit with everyone. This is my last engagement for 2011 (at least talking about fishing) and I will not be doing nearly as many events next year. My Flatfish University (TM) clinics will be the only place to hear me speak on flounder. I will be doing some very special events tied to the F.L.E.X. Fishing (R) system that will deal with specifically targeting big fish. There will be seminars for trout, reds, crappie and bass throughout the year but I will not be doing upwards of 30 appearances like this year. Look for announcements in early 2012.

God bless,

Chester Moore

Flounder Update

Flounder Revolution — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:20:55 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

Wow, there is so much going on, (much of what I cannot announce yet) that my head is spinning. Cool stuff! Great stuff! Motivating stuff! Upgrade!

For now, here are some cool updates and a tech tip that answer a question I have been asked numerous times.

Oct. 1 Entry

Sabine area angler Case Williams turned in a beautiful 21.25-inch fish Sat. Oct. 1. It is his second of the year and probably not his last.

Courtesy Photo

15 percent off fish replicas

Don't forget if you order fish replicas through The Fish Mount Store who provides our amazing replicas you get a 15 percent discount by putting the code REVOLUTION in at checkout. They do great work and in fact I have spoken with two people recently who have had them do redfish after seeing our flounder mounts and they were very happy. Click here to check out their work.

Flatfish University Oct. 15

Those of you who signed up for the fall course at Bass Pro Shops in Pearland, don't forget the class is coming up in 10 days. The class is sold out and will be the last one for 2011. Classes for 2012 will be announced later this fall.

Tech Tip

Fall Flounder Run (We're almost there)

Flounder Revolution — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:25:17 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

We're almost there.

The fall run is just about here and what I call the "pre fall run" has already occurred with flounder staging for their big migration out toward the Gulf. The fishing will continually get better through November and if the reports coming from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department biologists and anglers along the coast are accurate (and they are), it should be a run to remember.

BIG announcements

Things have been a little quiet up to this point since summer. That is about to change. We are making some BIG announcements in the next few weeks that will highly upgrade what we are doing here with both Flounder Revolution (R) and Flatfish University (TM). The next year will unquestionably be our biggest and most productive.

Sabine Replica Entry

We got a nice flounder entry for our replica program by angler Justin Hawkins. The Sabine area has produced some super nice fish this year and his entry is proof that it is one of the top flounder locations on the Gulf Coast.

Courtesy Photo

Tech Tip

Our tech tips through November will be in video form. These expanded clips are just a small teaser (tip of the iceberg) of what we learn in our Flatfish University (TM) classes. They are my thank you to all of you for supporting flounder conservation and following my work on these amazing fish.

God bless,

Chester Moore

Weird flatfish (photo), Flatfish U sold out!

Flounder Revolution — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:49:14 GMT

Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!

We are the edge of a tropical system entering somewhere between the Louisiana and Texas coasts. I will be fishing tomorrow morning because the best flounder trips of my life have all been during storm situations like these. As long as there is no big lighting, I will be in a safe, protected spot catching flounder and probably lots of them.

Check out the Summer 2011 Issue of Gulf Coast Fisherman for an article I wrote about this very subject called "Storm Tide Flounder".

Flatfish University (TM) Fall Course sold out!

In less than a week, the fall run/winter strategies course I will be hosting at Bass Pro Shops in Pearland, TX Oct. 15 sold out. All 20 slots are gone. I do get some cancellations on each event so if you want to be put on the waiting list, email me at cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com. Thanks to all of you for making Flatfish University (TM) a HUGE success this year. All of the classes sold out! Next year there will be new cities added to the itinerary as well as a couple of new courses. Big things are on the way in 2012.

Weird Flatfish!

Flounder Revolution (R) fan Keven Quebodeaux sent in this photo of a tiny, bizarre flatfish he caught for identification. I sent it to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department biologist Jerry Mambretti and he said it is a Symphurus plagiusa or a blackcheek tonguefish. These weird creatures don't get much bigger than this one (about 7 inches max). That's a shame. I'd love to catch one about two feet long and get it mounted. The lure in this photo is two inches long for scale.

Courtesy Photo

August Replica Winner

Angler Mike Bishop won our August replica competition by catching, releasing and photographing a 21-incher. Here what he had to say about the catch.

"Me and Anna have been catching lots of flounder but nothing over 19.5 inches all summer long. Caught this beautiful fish on a shoreline teaming with small shad. The best part was when I was netting her, she gave me a perfect tail flip and hit me in the face with about eight ounces of measured just over 21 inches."

I'd like to take this time to share with you just the kind of high quality replica he and all our replica winners receive with this photo below courtesy of The Fish Mount Store who do our replica programs. By the way if you put the code word REVOLUTION into any of your orders through them, you will get a 15 percent discount on any of their amazing mounts. The replica program is sponsored by the Coastal Conservation Association.

Fish Mount Store Flounder

Jantzen Miller Returns

The 2010 "Flounder Revolution (R) Angler of the Year" Jantzen Miller returned this month with an entry that measured 20.5 inches. The race for this honor is tallied by total inches of flounder submitted and is wide open right now. The 2009 winner Chris Dial is in the lead with a 21.625-inch fish. The more fish you submit, the higher you go in the standings.

If you want more information on our replica program click here.

Tech Tip

Here's a video clip I did for the Orange Leader's website that shows in person what I spoke here on west winds a few weeks ago. Click here to see video.

God bless,

Chester Moore