Sunshine State Fishing

Flats fishing is one of most popular types of sea fishing, and for good reason. It is exciting, fun, and not for the casual fisherman. When you are referring to ?flats fishing,? the term ?flats? refers to the shallow grassy areas in the ocean that often house young fish who need the protection until they are old enough and strong enough to make their way to deeper waters. Flats also house such species as seahorses, shrimp, and crab. This, in turn, attracts other types of fish that like to feed on them, and these large predatory fish are usually what flats fishermen are after.

Obviously, there are different ways to participate in flats fishing. Large boats made for the deep ocean waters are not what you want for flats fishing. In many instances, you don?t need a boat at all. Walking out into the flats in waders is a popular way to engage in flats fishing, as well as right from the shore, or using a special light flat bottom boat that can navigate the areas well. Whichever method you choose for your flats fishing, one thing you need to know is how to choose your spot so you can get the best possible advantage. A lot of this depends on which type of game fish you are after. The Florida Keys, of course, is one of the best places in the world to do flats fishing, and offers flats fishermen hours of excitement.

If your goal is to catch some tarpon, then you want to choose your spot strategically, as well as the time of year that you want to fish. Tarpon like very warm water, and even in the usually warm temperatures of the Florida Keys waters, they will migrate in search of even warmer waters if the temperature dips just a little. Tarpon can also be easily spooked, so the spot you choose to fish for them should be a place where you can be well hidden. You may even want to choose a good flat bottom boat for this, and let it sit as still as possible in one spot so the tarpon get used to it.

Redfish like to feed when the flats water is warmer. They?ll do their feeding in the deeper waters during the cooler morning hours, and then move to the flats when the waters have warmed up. For redfish, shore fishing may be best, and it?s fine to wait until well into the afternoon. Choose a spot where you can cast out and then let your bait stay motionless?redfish like easy prey.

Wayne Gilbert is a Florida native with over 30 years of fishing experience. His website about Flats Fishing has been providing its viewers with extensive coverage of the Florida backcountry fishing scene for a long time. Other topics include backcountry fishing, Florida Keys fishing, and individual gamefish habitats,statistics, and locations.

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