Question for the more experienced people (probably most of you). Is it worth going wading for tailers if I can’t get out until a little after the tide has turned and the water is dropping? For instance, today I’m off at eight. With such a large tide there will be water on lower tide flats for hours after the peak. Do you still see tailing fish after the peak of the tide as water has dropped a bit but is still high enough to hold fish? Or do the fish tend to tail that peak period mainly and I may see a few stragglers but less than that hour before and after.
You can find tailing fish at any portion of the tide, even at low tide. The fish will just be in different places.
well where do they stage then in different stages of the tide sir if may ask ? I know high tide its grass and anything that holds bait.
For me the best is to get there before or as the water gets there and work from where the water comes in to the edge as the tide comes in. I have never had as good as luck spotting them once the water was there or on the way out. I always see fish exiting when its still to deep to see tailers good, but this is just my experience in areas around stono and folly creek. Low tide I find them on the edge of structure and either before creek mouths waiting to get in or behind the hump waiting for bait to come over the hump. Sometimes you can catch them in a hole left in a creek feeding at low and then its pretty easy just got to have the bait they are feeding on. High tide I will fish the grass line close to a creek and catch them on the exit. I usually catch the bigger fish in smaller water at the top of the tide and within an hr of low tide on either side in or out in big water. Sight fishing tailers really gets me because I usually see 20 fish per bite I get and then I don’t usually hook up just a missed hit, and reds aren’t the only tailers either I see all types of fish in the marsh. I have chased a sheep head with a dip net and it was like he was playing with me just slow enough to keep trying to catch him but to fast when I tried to scoop him and he would come back right to you after you gave up to start again.
If you are wading, go for it. You don’t want to take a boat up on a flat during a falling spring tide, you might be stuck there for a couple of weeks.
oc
Yea I guess there is a plus side to not having a boat. I don’t have to worry about getting stuck.
Ideally I try to get out 1-1.5 hours before high and if I have time I’ll stick around till about the same time after or until the water gets low before leaving.
One thing I haven’t even started doing since winter was low tide fishing. Seems strange now that I think about it. I have no idea why I haven’t gone exploring during the lows. I’ve been so into figuring out the flats I know and what tides work best for each during highs that I’ve centered my work schedule around those times. I’ll start spending time figuring that out soon.
I’ve seen several sheepshead tailing and had similar experiences to what you described 40inchreds, where they are almost on top of you but tough to get.
It’s crazy how much you learn with each day spent out. I have a lot of respect for you guys who have been doing this for a while. Finding these new spots has been fun in itself. We just moved to Johns Island and there is a little pond fifty feet from our door that I’ve spent almost every morning catching bream and bass in. That’s a lot of fun, and is definitely nice way to start the day. I’m using that as a starting point to get the lady into fly fishing too, which is nice.
I appreciate the advice everyone. Let me know if you want to trade spots or would like company (and free beers) when wading sometime. I’ve got a dozen or so flats in the old notebook and counting. I’m always up for trading what little bit I’ve learned but really just can’t wait to catch another GT at Demetre Park.
quote:
Originally posted by oyster crackerIf you are wading, go for it. You don’t want to take a boat up on a flat during a falling spring tide, you might be stuck there for a couple of weeks.
oc
good stuff
quote:
Originally posted by thepatten…Let me know if you want to trade spots or would like company (and free beers) when wading sometime. I’ve got a dozen or so flats in the old notebook and counting. I’m always up for trading what little bit I’ve learned but really just can’t wait to catch another GT at Demetre Park.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Cool. Happy to trade. PM me a spot and I will respond in kind.