Ok, fresh bait is always better, and live is even better than fresh dead bait. If you are flounder fishing I would use a simple carolina rig with a 3/4 ounce egg sinker (heavier depending on the current) and swivel connecting the main line to a 30 or 40 lb test leader, flouro is nice, but mono will work fine. A size 1 or 1/0 kahle hook at the end of the 12 to 16 in leader. Take your bait of choice ( I assume it is a baitfish such as mullet or menhaden) and hook them right through the lips from bottom to top and cast out and drag back on the bottom slowly. When you feel the thump of a flounder, let him sit as he will have hold of the bait and wait for him to eat it, I like to wait at least 2 minutes after the bite. Set the hook hard and set your drag right, hopw this helps some, but the best is hands on experience, this is easily some of the most difficult fishing to learn and it usually takes a few months to develop your own style and then years to master.
Brent
Cape Fear Coastal Charters