The Flats

• Food supply
• Tidal flow
• Water depth
• Water temperature
• Cover
• Underwater terrain

Food supply

The flats are home for a rich and varied supply of crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and small fry many of which are permanent residents. This is the only reason why game fish leave the safety of deep water to venture onto the shallow water flats.

Tidal Flow

Tidal phases affect game fish movements on many flats. Generally game fish hold in deeper water and move up with the tides which provides the required water level.

Temperature

In addition to the depth, water temperature is also important. Each species has a range of temperatures in which they are comfortable and they avoid water outside of this range.

Cover

Because of their vulnerability, certain game fish need some sort of cover to venture onto the flat. This may be mangrove, sea grasses, the rippling effect of the wind on the surface or the camouflage effect of their body markings against the bottom.

Terrain

There are certain under water features that attract fish or direct their movements. These features may be as obvious as jetties, oyster bars and channels or may be as subtle as slightly raised or lower bottom. Many species hold near edges of structure such as shoals, shorelines, potholes, underwater ridges or drop offs to deeper water. Fish use cuts and channels to cross a flat as well as other paths determined by underwater structure.

Height above the water and sun position are important considerations for spotting fish. The higher above the water surface you can get the better will be the angle to see into the water. If the boat doesn't have a platform try standing on a sturdy cooler. Keep the sun at your back as much as possible to reduce glare off the water.

Fish reveal their location in several ways.
Look for movements under water, shadows cast onto the bottom, body parts, sun flashes off their body and anything seeming out of place.

Feeding fish often stir up the bottom causing mud clouds. Watch which way the current is moving these muds to find the source.

Watch for tailing fish. When fish feed in shallow water their tail protrudes above the water surface and can be seen for long distances. Feeding fish are an excellent opportunity for fly fishers.

Fish traveling just under water create a V-shape on the surface. This is known as a head wake.

Any other activity on the flats should be investigated.
Any water movement not consistent with the surrounding water has a cause.

Bait fish schools indicate nearby game fish by milling nervously or by jumping in mass from the water when attacked. This is known as bait showers.

Birds circling overhead are looking for the same food as the game fish which are very likely down below.

Sharks are easy to see on the flat and are a good sign that other game fish are nearby. When the sharks begin to move off the flat, other species will also be moving. This is a good time to fish accesses to the adjacent deeper water.

Sting rays should also be given attention. They create large muds that attract bonefish, permit and redfish.

Develop a systems for hunting the water. Concentrate your focus mainly on the bottom while being constantly aware of the surface activity and occasionally scanning the distance.

• weather
• tidal phase
• time of day
• water conditions
• location
• Properly sized tackle
• Special consideration to flies and leaders

There are four methods of fly fishing the flats:

• Wading
• poling
• staking out
• chumming

Wading

Wading is the quietest, most stealthy way to fish the flats and a great way to get out in the elements. Before starting make a plan that covers the most productive water. Tie on the proper fly, set the drag correctly and set off onto the flat. Fish on the flats are very nervous and quickly leave the area at any sign of danger. For this reason, slow and quiet movements are absolutely critical. Wade the flat slowly in a zig zag pattern from close in to shore to your predetermined distance out. Remember the fish finding skills and concentrate on them.

Poling

If wading is the most stealthy method of fly fishing the flats, poling is the most efficient and offers several advantages over wading: Cover much more water, Access to deeper water, access to distant flats, higher above the water surface therefore better able to see into the water and able to approach a flat from most favorable direction.

There are also some disadvantages: Poling is less stealthy than wading because of boat noises such as running the motor to close to the flat, rattling of gear or the boat scraping bottom. The boat is sometimes hard to handle in the wind. Controlling slack line and the retrieve is troublesome from a rocking boat. When the problems are minimized, poling the flats can be very productive.

Teamwork and communication are critical to the success of the poling method. Fish feed mostly into the current but may also feed across current and occasionally with the current. The boat is quieter and more easily controlled moving with the current and generally affords the best opportunity for a head on presentation of the fly.
Wind and current must be taken into consideration before venturing onto the flat in order to insure a proper casting angle for the fisher. The poller will try to hold the boat at this angle while drifting toward fish holding areas.
From his elevated position on the poling platform, the poller is usually first to spot fish. The location should be quickly communicated to the fisher and the boat angle adjusted for casting.
On very windy days good fishing can be found on the lee side of islands, bridges or in quiet harbors.

Staking out

Staking out refers to the method of anchoring the boat and waiting quietly within casting range of a known fish path, usually tarpon or bonefish. Fish travel on and around the flats in predictable patterns and the fly fisher must know the patterns to be successful with this method.
Guides have spent time on the flats and know the underwater terrain and where the fish will move. Their livelihood depends on this knowledge.

Chumming

Chumming is an effective method of bringing fish to the fly fisher. This is what you need to effect this method; Pre-knowledge of where fish will be moving, a light bottom area of a flat near deeper water or channel where fish will be holding .
Anchor up current of the light bottom within casting distance.
For the chum use whole and pieces of shrimp placed into a chum tube made from a two foot long 2" PVC pipe with 1/4" holes drilled all through and capped on the ends.
With the chum tube in the water providing a strong slick into the current, watch the light area of bottom from where the fish will be coming. Cast ahead of the fish as they come to eat the shrimp.

Presentation
Opportunity is a small window on the flats. The fly fisher must spot the fish, identify the species, determine its activity and present the fly to the correct position in a under ten seconds.
Tailing fish are the best target. In this situation, the fish is preoccupied rooting for food. Cast the fly right to the fish. When it sinks to the bottom, the fish will regard it as the fruits of his labor.
When casting to a school or group of fish aim for individuals on the periphery. Generally, casting to the middle of the group will spook all. If you line only one fish, the whole group will be spooked.
For moving fish it is very important to get the fly in the direct path so that it can sink to the fishes depth. Generally this is a cast a few feet ahead. The distance varies by species. You must calculate the speed, depth of water, fly sink rate as well as knowing which species you are casting to. The first cast is the best opportunity. Since fish can detect the fly line in the air, you must keep your false casting to a minimum.

Tackle
The fly fishing tackle is dictated by the species of game fish that you are going after. It can range from a 3 weight outfit for small seatrout to a 13 weight for 200+ lb tarpon.

The default fly rod size for saltwater fly fishing is generally considered to be a 9 foot, 9 weight fast action graphite. This rod can be rigged for a wide range of game fish including all but the largest of species. It has enough back bone to fight large fish and is able to cast large fly patterns well in windy conditions.

Reels must be of quality construction, corrosion proof for the saltwater environment, a strong smooth drag system, sufficient capacity to hold the fly line plus 200-300 yards of backing and be sized to match the fly rod. Single action reels are the standard for saltwater fly fishing.

Fly lines are built in several styles and colors to match any weight fly rod for most conditions and species. The least visible fly line colors seem to be gray or green. The most visible to fish is white.

Leaders are widely variable and must be built specific for each species of game fish.

Flies are developed to imitate or suggest many of the critters found on the flats. Crabs, shrimp and small fish are the most used patterns and take most game fish species.

Flats hazards
Sunburn is the number one hazard on the flat. Foot injury may be second so waders should never go barefoot. Spiny sea urchins and sting rays are unaggressive creatures that hide on the bottom of the flats and sting waders that step on them. Also, sharp coral and shells can cut unprotected feet. To protect from these hazards, footwear must be worn. Always shuffle your feet when wading. This will warn sting rays that hide themselves in the marl or sand. Be sure that the bottom is firm enough to support wading. Deep marl makes wading impossible. Don't wear a stringer of fish as they may attract alligators and sharks.

Equipment
Polarized sunglasses and a wide brim hat with dark colored underside are considered necessities for fishing the flats. Amber or tan glasses are the best colors for flats while gray or green are best for offshore. Also amber allows better vision for overcast days with light blue best for bright days. Side shields on the glasses cut glare from the sides and contribute to the ability to see into the water.
As previously mentioned, footwear must be worn when wading the flats. Old sneakers work well or wading boots made for the purpose may be purchased.
During the winter months waders may be necessary to protect against the colder water.

Saltwater Fly Fishing
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