One of my most successful techniques to utilize during the heat of summer is “skippin’ mangroves” with artificials or cut bait (mullet or ladyfish). Ever wonder where all those redfish go when the tide gets super high in the middle of the day? If you guessed tucked up under the mangroves… you’re on the right track.
Everybody’s purse strings seem to be a little tighter this holiday season but there are a few can’t miss stocking stuffers that your favorite angler will appreciate… yet still will fit comfortably into your budget.
How critical is lure color when it comes to targeting inshore species? The answer…is not that simple, sometimes color plays a very minor role but most of the time it’s the difference between catching and just fishing. Here is my point if you are fishing low-light or targeting a species jack crevalle that are super aggressive or even frenzied at times then color doesn’t matter as much. But if you’re stalking wary shallow redfish with bright skies overhead, well then you better have the right color dialed in or you’ll be pretty frustrated.
There is no denying it scent definitely helps when targeting redfish… it’s the number one reason why cut-bait like mullet, ladyfish, and threadfin are so popular among most redfish anglers. The challenge that cut-bait and most built-in scent infused soft plastic baits have is that they are most effective at rest or dragged ever so slowly. But if you don’t know where the fish are located, this type of fishing will only keep you busy with nuisance fish… ala catfish galore!
If there is one pattern that anglers can always count on it has to be dock fishing. Dock fishing produces plenty of action year round whether it is winter-time sheephead or late evening dock light fishing during the summer for speckled trout or snook. Docks truly are the consummate fish magnet!
One of the most exciting strikes an angler can experience… is when an aggressive game fish clobbers a top water plug! It’s such a visual affair … the bulge of water that appears behind the plug, the echoing hollow POP on the take and the rolling boil that’s left when the fish takes the plug under the surface. And the additional benefit is that top water plugs are notorious trophy fish producers… in fact, it’s my “go-to” plug choice when angling for slot snook, gator trout, and bull reds.
A good GPS and fish finder are invaluable to the complete inshore sportsman… the ability to have real-time detailed satellite map info and HD sonar capability make finding the big ones a simple push of a button. I also truly appreciate the reliability, simplicity, and rugged construction that Raymarine’s A70D gives me on the tour and in my guide business. Don’t let its compact size fool you… the A70D has the same patented technology featured in some of the larger electronics offered by Raymarine but in a space saving platform!
A Power Pole on the stern of any boat makes fishing shallow water a snap; or should I say a “push” of a button! John Oliverio’s vision for making this boat positioning tool has truly revolutionized our sport… to the point that jargon such as “power-pole down” has become common vernacular on many inshore boats. In fact, it’s really hard for me to believe that the Power-Pole is now more than ten years old. Lately the Power Pole has even taken the bass market by storm… just watch one of the Bassmaster Elite 50 events and you’ll notice that more ...
A family favorite around our house every summer is the beginning of “scallop” season… when July arrives we make a pilgrimage up to the Crystal River area for some good family fun. Scalloping is also a great way to beat the summer heat … the cool clear water of the Nature Coast is very refreshing while probing for these tasty shellfish morsels.
I’ve been running Evinrude E-Tecs for more than six years and what impresses me most is just how little maintenance is required. I recently took my E-Tec 250HO into my dealer for its first ever service at 465 hours… that’s right 465 hours! A whopping 165 hours over the recommended 300 hour or 3 year service check.
Why do I have to beef up my plugs, you ask? It’s really common sense if you’ve ever tangled with a big snook or a hard-mouthed redfish around cover… these fish can make a factory treble hook look like a severely strained paper clip in just a few moments.
In every inshore pros tackle bag is a well stocked supply of spoons because this “old skool” bait always produces plenty of hook-ups when the fish are scattered across the flats or marsh. Not only is the spoon a fantastic locater bait for pros and guides… but it’s also easy to use and novice anglers have a great deal of success with them. In fact, I frequently have clients casting spoons when they first start booking Flats Class trips with me to ensure a bent rod and to instill confidence in artificial baits!
A bay boat that performs well in all facets of the inshore game is hard to find… but the Ranger 2200 Bay meets and exceeds that challenge. The Ranger 2200 Bay has been my consummate choice not only for competition in the past but also serving me well for my ever growing guide business! There are many advantages that come along with the Ranger 2200 Bay… it offers a generous amount of dry storage, a solid & stable ride, shallow draft (only 11”), great top-end speed (58 mph), fantastic deck lay-out (360 degree fish-ability), and extraordinary re-sale value!
Inshore fishing has grown in popularity over the last few decades bringing throngs of new anglers to the sport; unfortunately a by-product of this popularity is poor conduct. Pioneer inshore greats like Bill Curtis, Joe Brooks, and my good friend Stu Apte were looked at as gentlemen in this sport, who pitted their significant skills and light tackle against formidable shallow water quarry all the while displaying a great deal of respect for their fellow anglers. Back then and even through most of my fishing career there has always been certain customs and etiquettes that anglers abided by when sharing ...
Every summer around the big moons a phenomenon called the “hill tide” takes place… it puts anglers and tarpon on a collision course in the passes along the west coast of Florida. The “hill tide” by definition is a significant high tide that sharply falls and flushes tons of food out of the bigger estuaries (Tampa Bay & Charlotte Harbor) into the Gulf. The tarpon intercept this abundance of crabs and baitfish in the passes and the numbers of tarpon slurping up this buffet are staggering!
A question I get from fans of Flats Class TV on a regular basis is, “What brand of sunglasses do you and Ray prefer”? The answer is varied quite honestly because every individual’s needs are different but generally speaking… style, comfort, and cost are the mitigating factors for most selections. Flats Class TV has not partnered with any particular sunglass company so you have probably noticed a variety of brands and styles being worn by us on the show. Here are a few facts and observations that might make finding the perfect pair of sunglasses a little easier.
Most anglers like to homogenize leader choices based on the targeted species alone… that can be a big mistake. When I’m making leader selections, I weigh several factors including focus species, water clarity, lure application, and the environment I’ll be fishing around.
During my history as a professional angler and guide I’ve had dozens of fishing reels from various manufacturer’s placed into my capable hands for field testing but the new Daiwa Coastal Zillion has gained my ultimate respect. I’ve been using this new saltwater low-profile bait casting reel for about five months now and it has performed flawlessly with absolutely no maintenance issues stemming from the rigors of excessive use or the harsh saltwater environment!
I get the opportunity to R&D a number of products in our industry; some standout, some really don’t… but the new Navionics Fish N’ Chip has definitely impressed me!
The argument that lure color is over-rated is an old one but for inshore anglers I believe it’s just as important as presentation and profile. Because most inshore anglers focus on water that is generally shallow all the color hues in the spectrum come into play and can make a difference whether the fish bite or reject a lure.
Experience is fishing’s greatest teacher, all that being said… recording your experiences will help you become a much better angler in due time. Drawing on years of tournament fishing know-how, I’ve learned what techniques work in varied scenarios such as… cold water, windy conditions, dealing with turbid water challenges, high barometric pressure, and the list goes on and on. Because I keep a journal of all these encounters, good and bad; it allows me to catch tomorrow’s fish with greater ease!
At every seminar, I have at least one attendee in the crowd ask me my opinion on the “mono vs. braid” debate. I simply answer; “It really depends on the fishing scenario”… in other words it varies based on technique, species, and environment. But, I assure you both line types are essential in your game if you want to maximize your catch ratio!
One of the greatest gifts we can give our young people today is the passing on of our inshore fishing traditions. Getting kids into the “outdoors” and away from the television set and computer should be a major priority today… because there are fewer kids than ever picking up a fishing rod and heading to the water’s edge. That could spell serious trouble for our sport in the coming decades.
Every angler is looking for a tactical advantage over the game fish they are hunting… albeit utilizing an ultra-quiet technical poling skiff, the latest long-distance casting set-up, or the application of some super bait ,that supposedly, the fish never refuse. But often anglers ignore camouflaging themselves... wearing clothing or head gear that contrasts with the environment usually results in many missed opportunities! Conversely, by blending into your surroundings you give yourself the chance to make a much better presentation to your target and before the fish is even aware of your presence. Below are a few guidelines I use to ...
Recently, at the Frank Sargeant Outdoor Expo, a fan walked up and asked me what my “Top 5” confidence baits would be for fishing inshore. I thoughtfully considered his question for a moment… then confidently replied “A top water plug, 3” soft plastic paddle tail, ¼ ounce gold spoon, Mirro-dine twitch bait, and probably a small bucktail jig… I’d have to say are definitely my “go-to” baits.” He remarked, “I’m very surprised that you included a bucktail jig in that group… why a bucktail?” I closed with “Bucktail jigs are oldies but goodies… they have caught more fish for me ...
Over the years I have field tested and reported on dozens of quality hard baits… but the one plug that has gained my respect the most is the Mirrodine 17MR. This little compact suspending twitch bait is absolutely perfect for fishing shallow water and allows my clients to catch trout, redfish, and snook with just one lure… I call it the “Slam Bait” on my boat!
When the mercury in the thermometer on my back porch creeps up to the mid 90’s, I know it’s the right time to hit the dock lights after dark to beat the summer heat.
Find the food… find the fish, maybe the most obvious pattern anglers can use to locate prized game fish. And when I’m on the water with my Flats Class Charter clients, I constantly re-enforce to them that they must focus on bait activity first to remain in the area where game fish are feeding.
Because I spend so much of my time fishing small soft plastics and finesse hard baits in pressured waters… I have found a real need for a reliable, light-weight, and sturdy saltwater spinning reel.I finally discovered this need last fall when Daiwa sent me the new TD Fuego3000A spinning reel to be field tested.
One of the most overlooked aspects, of the inshore game, is how we access and approach our fishing areas. Every day I witness anglers running their skiffs and bay boats right up onto the flats they intend to fish… then put their trolling motor down and start casting without any regard for the angle of the sun or the direction of the wind and/or tide. Do they really expect to catch fish with this strategy? Here are a few considerations you should think about before approaching a flat.
The ongoing argument, spinning reels vs. casting reels, pops up all the time at tackle shops and boat ramps all over the country; and opinions vary based on technique and sometimes even geography, believe it or not.
A common mistake I’ve observed with many new artificial bait enthusiasts is that they over work the lure. When a lure has too much action, it does not appear to be natural prey and doesn’t get the interest of most game fish... in fact it often spooks them away!
Of all the game fish we target on Flats Class TV and me in my guide business… big “gator-sized” speckled trout are definitely my favorite species to pursue! It takes extra effort and planning to catch these wily fish who can often detect an angler from 50 yards away in shallow water. And once on the hook, these big “gator” trout always seem to pull a Harry Houdini -like escape… freeing themselves with violent head shakes at the surface or, more often, a last second” ditch” run under my boat ridding them of my lure for good.
Often I’m asked, what’s the best rod for inshore fishing? There’s truly no one answer to this common question. It really depends on several factors such as lure selection/weight, target species, and sometimes even the cover or environment you are fishing. With so many possibilities to consider, it’s really hard to make sense of all the rod options out there.
When I start breaking down a new fishing area or even an old one that I haven’t fished in awhile I employ power fishing strategies to pattern the fish quickly. Let me explain power fishing … by definition it’s a technique that allows me to cover a great deal of water when I have no idea where the fish might be located in a given area. Artificial lures like top water plugs, spoons, shallow crank baits, spinner baits, or any lure that you can retrieve quickly and re-present with a long cast will fit nicely into the power fishing category!
Of all the questions I’m asked, the one that comes up most frequently is “What can I do to catch more fish?” And the answer to this question is relatively easy; improving your casting distance… it’s really that simple. Covering water quickly and efficiently with long probing casts is by far my best strategy for catching numbers of fish and here’s why.
When water temps start plummeting during the “dead of winter”, inshore fishing can get very tough. Since fish are cold-blooded, their appetites are generally suppressed during colder periods… this creates quite a challenge for those of us who enjoy throwing artificial baits. In fact, it requires us to painfully slow down our presentations and choose bait profiles that appear natural and easy for game fish to catch. The tube bait has always been my “go-to” lure when confronted with these demanding conditions!
When late spring and early summer arrive, I’m looking for opportunities to pick a fight with a big fish… such as tarpon, sharks, cobia, permit and giant pass snook! Tangling with these formidable fish requires a heavy-duty and reliable spinning reel that still has some high performance features… the Daiwa Saltist spinning reel line-up meets and exceeds these demands.
