Finally! The tails are up and wagging in the spartina. Every few weeks from now through October, large tides from the full and new moons flood the marshes, enabling packs of hungry red drum (locally spot-tailed bass) to root and cruise around in search of fiddlers, small blue crabs, shrimp and mullet. Whether you enjoy fly fishing or light tackle, you won’t find a more challenging and exhilarating sight fishing experience anywhere.
Waders rejoice, as your prime time is at hand. Since the bottoms of these flooded areas are high and dry most of the time, they’re usually nice and hard and perfect for chasing them down on foot. I prefer poling my shallow drafting boat for speed and increased visibility, but if I have several anglers who’d rather wade than wait for their turn on the bow, they’re free to stalk them on foot. There’s a special one on one satisfaction that can only be found on foot, hence even many anglers with flats skiffs prefer to get out and walk. Canoes and kayaks are also great way to access the flats. Large boat owners can transport smaller vessels to the flats for stealthy, speedy transportation. Just pull up to the edge of the flat, anchor up the mother ship, and let the stalking begin.
Polarized sunglasses are a necessity, as well as bug spray, old shoes or wading boots and patience. If the wind permits, make sure the sun is at your back so you can see through the glare as you ease across the flats. Always remember to go slow. Creep along to make sure you see them first, and to give you time to gather yourself in case they are moving your direction. While you scour the surface for protruding tails, don’t neglect to keep an eye down in the water for cruising fish. For every tail you see, there could be several more fish in the area. Just as exciting as it is to have a fat redfish calling your name as it works the bottom or cruises in range, it’s equally deflating to watch them spook and blow out like a torpedo across the flat. I find it equally rewarding to catch a cruiser tha