Artificial Baits Precision Meets Productivity
Brandon’s approach with artificial lures is smart and calculated. He keeps his casts tight to the grass, letting the jig fall naturally before lifting and retrieving slowly. As he says, most bites happen on the lift, and giving the fish 3 to 5 seconds before setting the hook ensures a solid connection.
Within minutes, he’s caught multiple keeper-sized flounder, all on artificial lures. That’s right—live bait vs artificial for flounder doesn’t always tip toward the live stuff.
There are clear advantages to artificial:
Efficiency: You can cover more water quickly.
Control: You dictate the action, movement, and pace.
Durability: One lure can catch several fish.
No fuss: No live well, no bait net, no mullet flipping out of your hand.
But it’s not just convenience. These lures work—especially in clear water or when fish are actively feeding.
Live Bait vs Artificial for Flounder
When the Live Bait Comes Out
After landing several solid flounder on artificials, Captain Collier switches gears. It’s time to test live bait. Using a simple Carolina rig with a ¼ oz egg sinker, bead, and 14 inches of 20-lb leader, he threads on a lively finger mullet and casts it toward the grass line.
Within seconds—he’s hooked up again.
The fish? Another flounder. Slightly bigger. Hooked in the lip. Healthy release.
As the morning progresses, the scorecard evens out. Live bait puts just as many fish in the boat. And that’s when the real conversation about live bait vs artificial for flounder begins.
Live Bait The Natural Advantage
Using live bait offers one big perk: it’s the real thing. Fish don’t need convincing it smells, moves, and looks like what they’re hunting. In Brandon’s case, he’s matching the hatch perfectly, tossing finger mullet right where wild mullet are schooling.
This natural presentation is lethal for flounder, which are ambush predators. They bury themselves in mud or sand and wait for the perfect moment to pounce. A struggling mullet dragged across their nose is more than they can resist.
Advantages of live bait:
Scent and motion: Real bait triggers instinctive strikes.
Larger flounder appeal: Bigger fish often prefer a slower-moving, calorie-rich meal.
Slower bite days: When artificials get ignored, live bait saves the day.
But live bait also comes with challenges:
Bait maintenance: Keeping bait alive can be a chore.
Slower presentation: You cover less ground than with artificials.
Hooking time: You need to give flounder a few extra seconds to eat it properly.
Conditions Matter: When to Choose What
Throughout the video, Brandon showcases how both methods can work but under certain conditions, one might edge out the other.
Choose Artificial When:
Water clarity is good.
Fish are aggressive.
You’re trying to cover a lot of structure.
You don’t have access to live bait.
Choose Live Bait When:
The bite is slow or fish are pressured.
You’re fishing in current or deeper drop-offs.
Matching the hatch is critical.
You’re targeting trophy flounder.
Captain Collier’s bridge fishing session is a prime example. In deeper water with swift current, his finger mullet gets hit by both flounder and a surprise redfish. The live bait’s scent and swimming action proved irresistible where artificial lures struggled.
Best of Both Worlds: Mix and Match
What makes Brandon’s strategy so effective is that he doesn’t choose sides in the live bait vs artificial for flounder debate—he uses both. That versatility is what turns a good flounder day into a great one.
When artificial slows down, he switches to live bait. When rain starts falling and conditions get tricky, he adapts. He even doubles back to artificials when things calm down—and lands more flounder.
This flexible approach is something every serious angler can learn from.
Conservation and Strategy: A Modern Angler’s Mindset
Throughout the trip, Brandon emphasizes conservation. Even though he catches several keeper flounder, he releases them all. He mentions recent jubilees—rare natural events where fish flood the shallows, making them easy targets—and how those events can put pressure on populations.
He’s also prepping for a local flounder tournament where the focus is tagging and research. Every flounder released today is a possible data point tomorrow.
It’s a reminder that no matter how good the bite is, we all share a responsibility to protect the fisheries we love.
The Verdict: So… Which Is Better?
In the end, when it comes to live bait vs artificial for flounder, the answer isn’t simple but that’s the beauty of it.
Artificial shines when covering water and hunting numbers.
Live bait excels when conditions get tough or you’re after a trophy.
Captain Collier’s trip proves that both can be equally effective—sometimes within the same hour. On this trip alone, he landed 10+ flounder, several on lures, several on live bait. He even tangled with a bonus redfish and a trout.
In short, if you’re serious about flounder fishing, don’t limit yourself. Keep both options in your tackle box—and learn to read the water, the tide, and the fish.
Conclusion: Be Ready for Anything
Flounder fishing is part science, part art, and a whole lot of patience. Whether you’re casting a jighead along a grassy marsh or dragging a mullet across a drop-off, both techniques have a place on the water.
Captain Collier’s day on the Alabama coast is a perfect example of how flexibility and awareness can lead to success. So the next time you load the boat, don’t ask “live bait or artificial?” Ask: “Why not both?”
Because when it comes to live bait vs artificial for flounder, the real winner is the angler who knows when to switch.