Florida Flats Fishing Primer

[Putershark]

Since this subject seems to come up on the board from time to time, this or I get sent a PM on the subject asking about such... So I thought it would be smart and combine a few of those past threads and E-mails into one new thread on this subject. This way we can update this one as we find new "basic" tips to pass on to everybody

• Nothing affects a fish more (Snook mostly) than water temperatures and they can detect a 50th of a degree change. I have a water temp gauge on my console running just about all the time. In summer, I am looking for cooler water (fresh water springs) and in winter. Warmer water like dark grass patches or the same springs that is holding up the surrounding water temperatures even if just a few degrees.
• Remember to look for ambush points this includes docks and points. Many flats fish are ambush feeders with Reds being the ones that "actively" search out food and follow Mullet schools much more than all the others.
• Birds feeding and "standing" in certain locations "tells" me a lot
• Stealth is the key... One must shut down and pole or wind drift onto many such spots. Fish in skinny clear water are very nervous fish. You can talk all you want, but CD players, dropping or falling over things on the deck, changing trolling motor speeds, dropping an anchor over the side, and fish finders (which do no good in a foot of water) all will flush out fish like a covey of Quail
• Fluorocarbon leaders (I use about 6 feet) and loop knots will increase your hook ups greatly below the surface. I also use mono leader material for all my surface walkers (skitterwalks) since the strech helps take the shock of the crash as well as help keep them from throwing the bait during the fight...
• Many of your Bass lures will work just fine on the flats, here again a fish is a fish. Match the local forage (both bait fish and shrimp & crabs) and you will get hits. I have several crank-baits that I have modified that work very well in these conditions.
• I am not all hung up on tides as many are. I fish when I can and just look for some kind of water movement. I use low tide conditions for scouting since I can see the bottom structure (grass or oyster beds and or small channels) and incoming tides to float into such areas when possible.
• Goggle Earth saves me time and fuel in finding new flats to fish for sure. I look for Points, Oyster beds, and tidal creeks in areas I am looking to go fish in. Since it has Lat and Long numbers I can either zero in on such spots or print off a picture to look at as I run in on the trolling motor in those new areas.
• A good pair of Polarized sunglasses and at times a "Buff" as well as a cool ball cap or visor to help stop any light leaking into the top and sides of your face. This also saves from getting sun-fried even in the winter

Buffwear - Multifunctional Headwear







http://www.vaughncochranart.com/cart/default.aspx?CategoryId=864

• Some way to get elevated on your front casting deck to see better. This or you could use a cooler

, but most I have found like to slide around on the decks of these boats... Maybe screw or glue on some rubber feet would work?

• This book

http://www.triumphowners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1043

• and this DVD

http://www.doalures.com/unfair_video.htm
make for excellent primers on the sport and help you get a mental picture of what is going on below the surface and how to fish such locations

[Putershark]

Though a big fan of "Buffs" as many of you know for keeping from getting fried in Florida (Temple of the Sun) bouncing off the water. Buffs many times when used as a total head and face cover, pull up so far that they then allow the back of your neck to get fried if you are not careful .

So after a lot of searching for a product that will do the same yet not make you sweat, Simms makes a product that just may be the ticket for keep you from getting cooked inculing your neck, this while helping block out the light around your sun glasses at the same time. So far I have found them at this shop if you would also like to get one and field test it also

http://www.saltwateredge.com/FW20.html

Found other such products in white here

http://www.burfish.com/catalog/5880we.html

http://www.burfish.com/catalog/3384.html

They look interesting also. So stay cool and tight lines!