The second top time for losing a flounder is when it is near the boat. A lightly hooked fish will throw the hook when it thrashes above the surface. Experienced anglers submerge the rod tip to lead the fish into a landing net. Still, while it is rare, a big flounder may leap from the water when it senses the net.

A large landing net is important for catching flounder. The shape of the fish makes getting a 10-pounder into a bass-fishing net nearly impossible.

YELLOWFIN TUNA
Yellowfin tuna are one of the premier big-game fish of the North Carolina coastline. Most yellowfin tuna weigh 20 to 40 pounds. But fish approaching or exceeding 100 pounds are caught each year.

Anglers head to the Gulf Stream in early summer and early fall to catch yellowfin tuna. Aggressive biters, tuna are also fast swimmers. Lures, usually rigged with a small ballyhoo or strip bait, are trolled at high speeds. The more commotion the lures make, the better. It's impossible to troll a lure too fast for a tuna to strike it.

Anglers typically set out six to 12 rods for tuna. Yellowfin tuna can be leader-shy, so monofilament leaders are used ahead of the lures. Rods and reels are usually in the 30- to 80-pound class, with the most common rigs falling in the 50-pound class.

When a tuna strikes, line streaks from the reel. Multiple strikes often occur. Boats without enough fight chairs require anglers to use "stand-up" tackle.

Strong backs are a plus for tuna fishermen. Many anglers make the mistake of trying to pump a fish before it ends its first run. This creates fatigue and frustration. A better tactic is to let the fish run to a standstill before trying to reel it to the boat.

Once it sees the boat, a tuna dives deep spirals. A big tuna can exhaust an angler because it can make multiple runs and never seems to give up.

Yellowfin tuna are found where there are baitfish schools, temperature changes, color changes or current rips in the edge of the Gulf Stream. A trip to the tuna grounds usually takes a pleasant boat ride of two or three hours.

SPANISH MACKEREL
Spanish mackerel are one of the easiest to catch saltwater game fish. Most Spanish mackerel are caught by anglers trolling with flashy metal spoons. Spanish mackerel feed on small schooling baitfish and fry, commonly referred to as "glass minnows." Matching lure size to the size of prey fish can be important for success, especially during warm water or clear water conditions.

Tactics for catching lots of Spanish mackerel in short order include rigs with multiple jigs or tube lures. These rigs are cast from piers, boats or trolled. Still, most anglers troll or cast single lures. Jerkbaits or metal tube lures are ideal for casting from boats or piers because they can be cast long distances even in the wind.

Most anglers see the fish before trying to catch them. Spanish jump from the surface and attract sea birds when they are feeding on baitfish. Trolling through a school can scatter the fish or drive them deep. Therefore most anglers circle a school, trolling the outside edges.

Spanish mackerel are great game fish, possessing lightning speed when hooked on light spinning or fly tackle. But when schools head deep, anglers must use heavy jigging spoons or troll lures behind planers or heavy trolling sinkers to catch them. For deep-running fish, anglers use electronic depthfinders to spot the fish and troll lures at the depth of the school.

Most fish caught on lures weigh 1 to 3 pounds. But for trophy fishing, anglers use live baits to catch Spanish mackerel that can weigh above 6 pounds.

The outsides of inlet bars and nearshore artificial reefs are top spots for big Spanish mackerel. Anglers hook a 6-inch menhaden or mullet through the nose with a small treble hook, which is attached to the line with a short wire leader. Tossing a couple of wounded baits overboard usually incites any Spanish mackerel around. Once they begin slashing at the live "chum," the angler substitutes a hooked live minnow. It disappears into a big boil and the battle is on.