Would anyone be interested in showing me redfish structure/area tips. Reading posts or articles really isn’t my way of learning. I’m more of a hands on, see it do it type of learner. I have my own boat and would foot the gas and bait if anyone would be interested. I’m not asking to show me YOUR spots, but more show me what to look for
Here is my setup. 2014 BassTracker 60hp
I had a Triton TS17 with Mer 75 Optimax. The saltwater is going to help degrade the carpet in your boat much faster. I did in mine. But, you are in luck. Once your carpet turn to crap, you can take it to Linex and have it sprayed for around $1000. Those are good fishing boats, but saltwater is rough on the components inside the boat.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
Athon,
I wish I had time to take you out and show you but I’ll give you my method (Not that I’m super fisherman or anything) about how I scout for fishing spots…
So in order here goes what I look for:
Guides. If there are Guides fishing there chances are you will catch fish.
Feeder creeks that have Mud flat’s and sharp drop off’s in front of them. Especially if you can feel oysters and structure on those flats as you drag bait across it.
oyster beds at low tide
Structure with oysters on it at low tide
At night I look for Docks with lights under them consistently
For some reason I have had success where foliage overhangs the water creating a shaded area on the water. I don’t know why, it just seems to hold fish in some of those spots…
That being said I start by using google earth for target area’s to explore. I have a lot more time with my computer than my boat unfortunately. So I start by zooming into about 1500 ft elevation. I’ll look first at inlets with docs and i’ll explore those docs during low tide for oysters (And other folks fishing them!)
I like to look for feeder creeks that connect to each other. I find that fish generally use these as mini highways. Here is a good example of a random spot I picked on google earth that I would at least try at different tide cycles:
I would try this area at the beginning or end of a tide swing. Either they will be going into the grass or coming out of the grass. I’ve also found that at the mouth’s of these there are usually mud flats that hold flounder, and if they are holding red’s and flounder the drop off from that mud flat will typically hold trout.
And if you can find a spot that’s easily accessible via a creek that accesses a nice network of flats that’s typically redfish gold. Here is an example of a spot you could typically go to every day at any point in the tide and catch keeper reds time and time a
I too use google earth and plot my spots with pins. it makes it easier to navigate. I learned that the straight shorelines will not hold fish while shorelines that have pockets, oysters, and feeder creeks will hold fish consistently. Hamlin sound has many areas like this if you are in the area.
Yup…just look for “guides”…basically any boat with a poling platform and hit their “spot” next time it’s available. Lol. Otherwise… pretty good advice RF.
'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt
So, just look for those giant markers?
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Awesome job Yankee…
That trailer is going to turn to sh!+ in less than a year. I have the same trailer, took it one time to MCVL. Hosed everything off really well. Came back 2 months later, rims, hardware, and paint all rusted.
My advice, keep that boat in freshwater. Get a good kayak and join up with some of the people on the kayak forum. Catching reds out of a yak, and in the flats is a blast. Much more fun than watching your boat degrade.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
RY,
Thank you for this valuable information. Pardon my ignorance, but how do you identify a flat with a mud bottom? Are all of the brown areas on the pictures mud? Thanks in advance.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomSo, just look for those giant markers?
HAHA; I never can find those dang thangs. 
RY, thanks. That was helpful to me. Maybe I will eventually catch an actual fish.
13ft Whaler with 25hp Johnson
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomSo, just look for those giant markers?
You haven’t seen the 12’ tall bright yellow push pins I put out in the river to mark my fishing spots? They are all over!
BlackBart - Great question. In google earth there is a view option of “Historical Imagery” usually if you scroll back through a few years you can see images with different water clarity and/or tide cycle and see signs of a mud flat. Here is the same bank with 2 different years of image from google earth:
Default image from 2014:
Historical Image from 2005:
Other than that if it looks interesting just pass by it when out on the water and see what it looks like in reality. I just use google earth to give me idea’s on spots to check out.
Good advice, great visuals. I would just add that putting in some time throwing a cast net is one of the easiest and quickest way to “find” fish. You’ll learn all about flats, oyster bars, and drop offs throwing a 6’ net, and if there’s good bait, there’s good fish…not 100%, but I’d bet 80% of the time. I once had an old salt tell me that fish don’t like direct sunlight because they don’t have eyelids. His advice bears out as early morning and evening tides seem to be more productive, and shade under docks and low hanging trees hold the fish. Yanking them out is the challenge.
Sol Mate
Mako 20B
225 Optimax
thats an infomative post RY … thanks…
2200 Hydrasports, 225 Optimax
Skeeter22, I have vinyl flooring, not carpet and composite decking
Well, that certainly helps,but you still have a freshwater boat and a freshwater trolling motor–it’s not going to last long in saltwater. Trust me, saltwater is rough on those types of boats. The trailer will be a pile of rust in a couple of years. I’m not trying to bash you here, just pointing it out because I went through it. Washing the boat everytime it comes out of the water will help too, but the result is inevitable.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
I plan on getting an aluminum trailer soon, wondering if I could do a trade in for a new trailer. I pressure wash the hull and flush the motor everytime i use it as well.
quote:
Originally posted by Reformed YankeeAthon,
I wish I had time to take you out and show you but I’ll give you my method (Not that I’m super fisherman or anything) about how I scout for fishing spots…
So in order here goes what I look for:
Guides. If there are Guides fishing there chances are you will catch fish.</font id=“red”>
This stuff never ceases to amaze me…
Cool. Perhaps a backtrack trailer as a recommendation. I think Xpress dealers carry those. Of course there are all types of aluminum trailers out there…but they are stingy about the price. I have no idea what one would cost you. I suspect at least $2500 - $4000 for all aluminum welded trailer.
quote:
Originally posted by Athon08I plan on getting an aluminum trailer soon, wondering if I could do a trade in for a new trailer. I pressure wash the hull and flush the motor everytime i use it as well.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
quote:
Originally posted by Toothy12quote:
Originally posted by Reformed YankeeAthon,
I wish I had time to take you out and show you but I’ll give you my method (Not that I’m super fisherman or anything) about how I scout for fishing spots…
So in order here goes what I look for:
Guides. If there are Guides fishing there chances are you will catch fish.</font id=“red”>
This stuff never ceases to amaze me…
Your right - nobody fish where the guides fish. That section of water is exclusive to them as purchased and paid for by uhh… oh wait, (**() they don’t own that?
Sorry didn’t mean to offend by stating the obvious - that most fishing guides fish in locations where they catch things. We’ll button that back up as another Charleston secret cause nobody will ever figure that out on their own.