Flounder Lights
There is no question that a tilly lamp or other pressure kerosene or white spirit floundering lights, (all of which generate light by a fragile, white hot, silk mantle) throws the best light. However, these flounder lanterns are heavy, a fire hazard and cause deep burns if the shade, frame or glass
are touched while the light in burning as they get extremely hot. Tilly lamps also cause reflections in the water if wavelets or ripples are present.
Whether you buy the budget flounder light above or one of our Pro Series Hi Power LED Flounder Lights you will find LED underwater flounder gig lights are safe, lightweight, and because the light is emitted under the surface the beam is less affected by surface ripples.
Flounder Gigging Spear
In addition to a lamp or underwater light you will need a flounder gig or spear.
Multi pronged gigs with up to five barbed prongs are not recommended in New Zealand as they damage the fish and tear the flesh when pulled out.
A single prong flounder spear with no barb
or a very small barb is much more practical for the smaller New Zealand species.
Pin the flatfish to the seabed with the gig, then reach under the flat-fish and hold in onto the gig from underneath the belly.
Flounder gig tips should be kept sharp and enclosed with cork or plastic tube for safety when
not in use.
An aluminum flounder gig is lightest but can corrode. Paul's fishing kites has flounder gigs for sale, theirs have a stainless steel point mounted on a hardwood shaft.
Multi prong flounder gigs are often necessary for larger flounder like those found in the South of the USA particularly when gigging from boats.
| Flounder Spear |
Hardwood shaft tipped with a stainless steel prong. Note: Flounder Spears and gigs are not available for shipment outside of New Zealand due to their length.
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Other Flounder Gigging Equipment
A catch bag or satchel with a shoulder strap is ideal for carrying the catch and refreshments in.
Complete flounder gigging setups include good waterproof shoes, neopreme divers boots or sailing shoes are best. Floundering in bare feet is likely to result in cuts if pacific oyster shells are in the area. Wearing a cap light or head lamp is also a good idea, it will serve as a back up light source
- and is useful for seeing further afield than the range of the underwater flounder light.
Stingrays
Stingrays pose little threat when flounder gigging although sometimes they will take an interest for a while and follow you.
If wading through cloudy water, or if your gigging light goes out, shuffle your feet close to the bottom, if you accidentally walk into one it will usually just swim away.
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