Alright, before I say anything I am still beginner, but I’m putting in my time and learning! I’ve read this forum for a long time, other forums and one or 2 books on SWFF. I’ve scouted a couple of spots and have seen fish. I’ve also been fishing(once) with a buddy who has been SWFF all over the world. He’s @#$% good. I found a new spot that looks perfect for wading at high tide. No I haven’t told about or shown him this spot yet-he lives out of town. It has some oyster bars between it and deep water, short grass to ankle high misc vegetation, pond-like areas, hard bottom 60%-70%, tons of MM and fiddlers, some tiny shrimp (grass?), ankle to waste deep water, small feeder creeks, a few tiny islands more like high spots with low scrub, it’s 3 miles from the mouth of a large inlet and everything I thought you need to have fish. It has some deeper areas that look like feeder creeks but are choked with grass at the mouth. I’ve scouted/fished it 3 times now and haven’t seen ANY fish. Before I ask what I’m doing wrong, are there just times when everything is perfect and there’s no fish?! Maybe I’m working/looking on the wrong edge as the tide comes in and then the opposite wrong edge as the tide goes out? On the inland side of the high oyster bars are small deeper clear areas bordered by spartina grass. Would that be a good place to look? Sorry for the long post. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Let me know where the flat is and I will let you know if it is good.
Just kiddin.
Flats change. Fish come and go. Some produce early in the year and some late in the year. I am sure there will be fish there if it does not get pounded. Keep putting in your time and I am sure you will see some. The season has been a little off for me. I have not been out a lot but flats that had tons of fish, and my 100% go to spot, has not had any fish this year. Try to go to the feeder creeks at low tide and see if ther are any reds in the area. That is usually the best way to scout for high tide flats.
Gotta keep looking.
Chris.
1802 Action Craft. 115 yamaha.
quote:Here is your help and suggestion.
Originally posted by thrill203…Sorry for the long post. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
quote:
Originally posted by nbk65bo…Keep putting in your time and I am sure you will see some…
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I fished like a migrant worker the last two days and scored NOTHING. I’ve fly fished the Charleston flats for many years. I wouldn’t trade these past two days for anything in the world.
quote:Originally posted by nbk65bo
…Keep putting in your time and I am sure you will see some…
Yeah, I keep reading that in other posts, one day it’s going to sink in! Guess I’m just impatient. Y’all have a great weekend!
One more question. Would a spoon be a good fly when you are exploring a new flat? Or should I stick with a Clouser, a M4 fly(those are awesome) or something else. Just curious if there is a good fly for testing out new areas for fish.
A few things…
1.) Just because there is bait and hard bottom does not mean fish use that flat. Look for a few other things.
A.) There needs to be easy access to the hard ground and bait ie. small creeks that work their way up to the high ground. the more the merrier.
B.) Proximity to lowtide habitat. Inshore reds are homebodies and don’t move all that far on a day to day basis. The closer your flat is to a good lowtide flat or an area that the fish hold in on lower water… the better that flat will be.
2.) As for the flies. You shouldnt be casting unless you see a fish… period… so fly choice comes down to what you want to put in front of a fish… the fish will let you know if you chose wisely… A spoon will work, I would go with a Copperhead Crab… but then again I’m a little biased…
Good luck out there
Mad Mike
"to hell with insane… I’m OUTsane!!! "