Wray drifts over the side of the tube, deftly maneuvering his boat to bounce baits along the ledge in the 50- to 60-foot depths, where thousands of rocks compete with giant flounder to grab the offerings. The sensitivity of 50-pound braided line helps to distinguish between the two. Wray keeps baits in the sweet spot as long as possible by kicking his engine in and out of gear, relying on his party to keep taut lines and to avoid snags.

This drill requires some experience to master, and many anglers choose other avenues to get their trophies. Fortunately, there are viable choices nearby that favor those in smaller boats.

The CBBT’s bridge pilings, especially the large ones in the deep water along the High Rise section of the complex, always seem to hold a generous supply of large flounder. In years past, anglers would simply drift their baits under the bridge, but starting in 2005, trophy hunters began dropping live bait right down to the base of the pilings. For security reasons, it is now illegal to tie up to the pilings, but boaters can anchor around the structure or use the motor to hold their boat against the current. That way, they can at least slow their drift to keep baits in the strike zone for a longer period of time.

The rocks around the four islands also hold good-sized flounder, and can be fished the same way. Wray has enjoyed especially good results at the fourth island.

For those who have trouble finding or keeping live bait, there are other workable options. Bucktails trolled slowly on wire line continues to account for a big share of the super-sized flatties, especially along the CBBT complex. And the old time-proven strip baits of fish or squid will still work on trophy-sized fish, as well as smaller ones. Anglers should bear in mind, however, that bigger baits will produce bigger flounder. Serious doormat seekers will use strips from 8 to 12 inches long. Strips should be cut to a tapered point in order to impart a fluttering action. Adding a minnow to the hook is likely to make it more appealing.

“Bluefish make good strip baits, but they’re soft and don’t last too long,” Wray said. “Squid will last much longer, and so will flounder belly. Six-inch tube squid works well, and is easy to use.”

A hair- or rubber-skirted leadhead jig is often used instead of a plain hook. Flounder rigs can be bought or made in a number of configurations, with either single or double hooks, hair teasers, spinners and beads.

Wray recommends drifting these rigs along the edges of the Baltimore Channel, Thimble Shoals and the Small Boat Channel. A moving tide is needed, preferably outgoing.

“All the inshore wrecks are good, and will hold flounder right through the fall,” Wray said. “Some are right off the beach, easy to get to. I anchor over the Cape Henry Wreck when I’m targeting big fish with live bait, but for numbers of fish, you can drift the outside edges.”

For small-boat anglers desiring to avoid the often choppy seas of the bay and ocean, there are plenty of calm-water flounder to be found inside Lynnhaven Inlet, where Wray keeps his boat.

“Drift the marshes in 4 feet of water with minnows or peanut bunker,” he advised. “Bounce your baits along the bottom of the creek channel. Lots of these flounder will be undersized, but there are some big ones in there, too. The drift from the bridge over Long Creek to the inlet can take you into some nice fish.”

To the south, Rudee Inlet provides similar opportunities but is smaller and can be crowded on a summer weekend. Both inlets give up citation-sized flounder every year, and offer productive alternatives on windy days. If it’s not too rough or crowded, the mouths of both inlets are worthy of attention.