Flats fishing explained

Flats fishing is a method of fishing where anglers target species of fish specifically in shallow, saltwater bodies of water.

History

While fishing shallow areas is not a modern invention, flats fishing as it is known today was developed in the 1940s in Florida and the Bahamas.[1]

As this style of fishing has gained popularity, so has its exposure in fishing related media. One example includes a flats fishing specific television series, Flats Class, created by World Fishing Network.[2]

Methods

Fishing on flats is often done with baits, lures or light spinning tackle, or by fly fishing.[3]

Weather changes, such as barometric pressure and ambient temperature may affect anglers' success due to effects weather has on fish feeding patterns and tide levels. Other factors contributing to an anglers success in catching fish may include sunlight[4] and wind.[5]

Flats fishing can be done by wading,[6] form various types of boats including flats boats designed primarily for the activity[7] or other watercraft such as micro-skiffs, kayaks, and paddle boards,[8] making it accessible to a wide variety of anglers.[9]

Some anglers may choose to hire fishing guides who are knowledgeable about the local fishing grounds and feeding patterns.[10] The increase in popularity of flats fishing as a destination activity has created additional job opportunities for fishing guides in some destinations.[11]

When flats fishing from a boat, a guide or other angler may stand on a "poling platform" at the stern of the boat and use a pole to guide the boat (by pushing against the sea floor) as silently as possible toward fish, which are easier to spot from the platform due to its elevation above the water.[12]

Locations

Flats fishing is a popular type of fishing in Florida particularly, which is known for its large variety of flats fish species.[13]

Anglers may also travel to destinations to fish on the flats[14] and perhaps especially destinations known for a certain species, such as bonefish in Andros Island of the Bahamas.[15]

While other locations such as Christmas Island may be considered iconic destinations for traveling anglers as well, flats fishing techniques have been employed in diverse areas of the world outside of its original heritage by both local and traveling anglers.[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Targeted species

Fish species often targeted in the United States include redfish, snook, juvenile tarpon, bonefish, permit, pompano, sea trout and others.[22] [23] [24] [25] Larger gamefish such as marlin may be targeted in some locations.[26] Some species such as bonefish may be regulated for catch and release fishing only.[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Martin. Guy. Premier Fly-Fishing Captain Paul Dixon Hauls The Billionaires To The Bass In The Hamptons. 2021-02-17. Forbes. en.
  2. Web site: 2015-02-05. Flats Class. 2021-02-17. World Fishing Network. en.
  3. Web site: Flats fishing for bream using lures and fly - Fishing World. 2021-02-17. www.fishingworld.com.au. en.
  4. Web site: Five Tips for Sight Fishing on Cloudy Days. 2021-02-17. Field & Stream. en.
  5. Web site: How to Fish the Flats. 2021-02-17. Sport Fishing Magazine. en.
  6. Web site: The Bonefish Vacation: A D.I.Y. Stalk on the Flats. 2021-02-17. Field & Stream. en.
  7. Web site: ANGLING 101. Robert Lugiewicz-. Wanted: The perfect boat. 2021-02-17. Sun Newspapers. en.
  8. News: Clarke. John. 2018-08-15. The New Fishing Vessel of Choice? Stand-Up Paddleboards. en-US. Wall Street Journal. 2021-02-17. 0099-9660.
  9. Web site: Herald. By Frank Sargeant Special to The News. Don't have a boat? No worries, you can still catch a bounty of fish. 2021-02-17. News Herald. en-US.
  10. Web site: Dorsey. Chris. Remembering The Ultimate Bonefish Destination. 2021-02-17. Forbes. en.
  11. News: Santella. Chris. 2012-06-19. Finding Work From Fly-Fishing's Popularity (Published 2012). en-US. The New York Times. 2021-02-17. 0362-4331.
  12. Web site: Fish Hawks in Paradise. 2021-02-17. Garden & Gun. en-US.
  13. Book: Maizler, Jan S.. Fishing Florida's flats : a guide to bonefish, tarpon, permit, and much more. 2007. University Press of Florida. Tim Borski. 978-0-8130-3145-3. Gainesville, FL. 154704847.
  14. Web site: Saltwater fishing fury. 2021-02-17. minotdailynews.com. en-US.
  15. Web site: Andros Island: An Offshore and Inshore Fishing Mecca. 2021-02-17. Sport Fishing Magazine. en.
  16. Web site: Out of the Ruins: Photos of Mexico's Best Flats Fishing. 2021-02-17. Outdoor Life. en.
  17. Web site: Outdoors: Christmas Island offers local anglers ultimate fly fishing holiday. 2021-02-17. The Blade. en.
  18. Web site: Crankbaits on the flats for big bream - Fishing World. 2021-02-17. www.fishingworld.com.au. en.
  19. News: Santella. Chris. 2011-10-01. A Tropical Technique for Maine's Shallows (Published 2011). en-US. The New York Times. 2021-02-17. 0362-4331.
  20. Web site: Apr 9th 2017 - 1am. fccnn Administrator Sam Cook . Fishing guide prefers simpler tactics for Lake Superior's big Seeforellen brown trout. 2021-02-17. Duluth News Tribune. en.
  21. Web site: Sons of Santiago. 2021-02-17. Field & Stream. en.
  22. Web site: 2021-02-12. Fishing Report: Feb. 12, 2021. 2021-02-17. FOX 13 News. en-US.
  23. Web site: 2021-01-28. Tips on How to Fly Fish for Pompano. 2021-02-17. Florida Sportsman. en-US.
  24. Web site: Best Bets for Florida's Big Bend Inshore Fishing. 2021-02-17. Sport Fishing Magazine. en.
  25. Web site: 2020-06-05. Best Location, Bait and Technique for Permit. 2021-02-17. Florida Sportsman. en-US.
  26. Web site: Big tuna caught on Hervey Bay flats - Fishing World. 2021-02-17. www.fishingworld.com.au. en.
  27. Web site: Bonefish. 2021-02-17. Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. en.

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