I fished the last of the outgoing from about 7 to 830. The fish wanted it super slow like sitting still, way slower than winter time. There were at least a half dozen 20 inch class fish and 2 sharks and 2 turtled working the flat with me and about a million mullet and other bait fish. The reds and sharks we’re eating small crabs and shrimp, thus the reason I couldn’t get a big red. I tried everything for an HR and even bonked a few on the nose good enough for them to jump out the water. They weren’t really spooking they just didn’t want to play at all. Plus I don’t think they like it when a flounder goes ape on the flat from being hooked. Id spook the entire spot every flounder I caught and then they would wake right back over and go back to there business. In the back hole I could literally see a bunch of shrimp popping as the reds we’re digging in. About 3 inch shrimp. The reds and sharks we’re feeding together with out care. The sharks left as soon as low tide got close but the r D’s stayed. I tried hard but could not get a red to hit on the flat. If I was dragging a doa I bet I would of got one, but I forgot my jig box and knife/scissors so I was limited. After beating up on them till I had enough I pushed out the creek and managed to pick up the rest of a slam in the next 15 minutes. The red and trout and flounder all hit when my bait was sitting for longer then 5 seconds. The trout and red both hit and ran hard as soon as they grabbed it. The flounder grabbed it and didn’t move, I thought one might of been oysters but the other was clearly a grab and sit still.
[img]http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/uploaded/40inchreds/20198792228_IMG_20190807_073441.jpg[/i
I love spots like that. I had one at Edisto that was so much fun just to watch the fishes behavior. And to catch them on topwater 
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
I was about a hr late for top water. I’ve seen people try top water here with no success. What topwater do you throw on flats? Do you use any with single hooks because I don’t like to use trebles because they do a lot of damage. I was swimming a lightly weighted zman paddle tail on top but had no action.
Notice my shadow in the 1 picture, I think the direction of the sun and where I was fishing from may have been a factor for why the reds wouldn’t bite, I was also fishing straight braid to my jig. The water was calm and clear. If I would of had some light flouro it would take the line shy factor out and I would know it was my bait or my position to the sun. I am confident they knew I was there even though they didn’t leave. I think if I’d had a good shrimp imitation I’d had some success even with the other factors. Real shrimp and it would of been game over, but that’s not how I like to fish flats.
Last treble I used I had to harvest a trout. There was two guys on the bank who wanted it and one ran over and got it before the other one could and they spent 30 minutes arguing about it and got chest to chest and nearly squared off. It was quite entertaining.
Nice read, thanks for sharing! The pics are pretty cool too! What knot is that on the yozuri? Almost looks like a crimp
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
I tie a knot I made up as a kid because no one taught me to tie knots. It’s kind of like a uni, a Snell knot, figure 8 knot, clinch knot, loop knot, hang men’s knot, Slipknot because those are what people call it when I show them it. It’s probably these easiest knot to learn and remember. It will tie anything, line to line, 100# to 10#, I can tie 500# mono with it. It’s stronger then them though. With most line it’s 100% breaking strength. It’s just a funky angle on the split ring. My knots on the top left of the split ring.
Great read and awesome pictures! Care to share the knot with a tutorial video? I can use all the “easy to learn and remember” I can get.
There’s a reason I’m close to the top of the food chain.
‘97 HYDRASPORTS 22’ OCEAN DC
EVINRUDE 175
18’ LOUISIANA CUSTOM
YAMAHA F50
'17 F-250
Sure thing I’m glad to share what worked for me because I tried everything to catch them on top. Hands down the best topwater for redfish is a skitterwalk, I’m speculating but I think its due to the pitch of the knocker. Very slow cadence worked best. Like two or 3 walks, looong pause, type cadence. I didn’t often get hit when blindly walking along a flat.
If I saw a fish bust on top whether it was shrimp or other, I found that if could land the plug within 10 ft within 3 or 4 seconds more often than not I’d get a blowup. I’m sure its because the fish assume a blow up knocked a wounded fish in the air and my plug would simulate an injured fish landing nearby.
So, for that reason on my flat I would get there and position in a place where I could reach most productive spots with a cast, then simply wait for one to blow up. I’ve had a lot of success using these tips, hope it helps you or others have success.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
I’ve noticed the same thing recently with the flounder. Feels like an oyster for a bit before they start scurrying around.
Went again today same spot same time etc.
Saw some decent reds but no takers. Caught a bunch of small flounder and reds
There was a pair of young loggerheads having some fun. I thought I had a good flounder. A first for me on arties.
Every flounder I’ve caught while working arties feels like I snagged a plastic grocery bag that’s partially stuck in the mud, until I set the hook and it starts moving it feels that way every time! One time it was actually a plastic food lion bag but it didn’t fight at all, but that’s a whole different story haha
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
