| Flats fishing can be an exciting and
| |
| | when the tide drops gamefish will wait
|
| rewarding experience for fishermen of all
| |
| | for crabs and baitfish to flee the flat.
|
| ages, whether just beginning or
| |
| | Flats are usually fished with fly gear or
|
| accomplished angler. Flats are long,
| |
| | light spinning gear. Light tackle is the
|
| level, shallow water areas next to deeper
| |
| | rule. Fly rods should be 8 or 9 weight.
|
| water. They are found in bays estuaries
| |
| | If you are using a spinning outfit, load
|
| and marshes. They are also found atop
| |
| | it with no stronger than 12 pound test.
|
| reefs and atolls, and along shorelines.
| |
| | Live bait such as mullet, pigfish,
|
| The bottom of a flat may be made up of
| |
| | pinfish and shrimp works well. If you are
|
| grass, sand, rock, mud, gravel, or a
| |
| | using artificial lures, any size with
|
| combination of these. Flats with grass or
| |
| | attractor colors may be used from May
|
| other aquatic vegetation offer cover and
| |
| | through June. If you are flats fishing
|
| food for a variety of fish as well as
| |
| | during July through August, natural
|
| shrimp and crabs. The most sought after
| |
| | colored lures work best.
|
| fish when flats fishing include redfish,
| |
| | Other equipment to include on your
|
| tarpon, seatrout, bonefish, permit and
| |
| | fishing trip is proper footwear,
|
| snook. Other popular catches are striped
| |
| | sunscreen, sunglasses, a raincoat and
|
| bass, bluefish, barracuda, shark, cobia
| |
| | plenty of water to drink. Hydration is
|
| and mutton snapper.
| |
| | important since most flats fishing takes
|
| When choosing the best areas for flats
| |
| | place in sunny climates such as the
|
| fishing, look for flats that are 8 feet
| |
| | Florida Keys and the Caribbean, as well
|
| deep or less. More productive flats
| |
| | as lakes and rivers across the United
|
| usually contain stumps, brush piles,
| |
| | States and other countries.
|
| grass beds or other types of cover. Flats
| |
| | The most important equipment required is
|
| that contain shallow ditches or humps are
| |
| | usually a small skiff with no more than
|
| especially attractive to bass. Also look
| |
| | two fishermen aboard. This lets the guide
|
| for baitfish, crabs and other "fish
| |
| | pole across shallow waters with ease, to
|
| foods".
| |
| | reach the best flats. Also remember to
|
| Observe tides carefully when locating
| |
| | wear light colored clothing to reflect
|
| good flats to fish. Some will be totally
| |
| | the sun's heat, and be less visible to
|
| dry during low tide. As the tide rises,
| |
| | the fish.
|
| game fish will move in to feed whereas
| |
| |
|
