This is my favorite time of year to flats fish

[fishnfla]

Hi group, dont let my handle fool ya', I only used to flats fish once or twice a week BC (before children)so now between the world and offshore fishing I dont get out in the skinny water as much, but I always try to hit it this time of year for alot of reasons.

1. No crack of stupidity wake-up: the fish dont warm-up 'til 9 am or so. They eat all day thereafter. We're after redfish, which are eating machines. there are seatrout about and flounder too.

2. The water is gin-clear, you can scan a flat for hundreds of square yards with the sun behind you. The water levels are lower( we're fishing in 8 to 18 inches of water here) and there is less grass

3. The sun is lower to the horizon, and on a south facing flat( with a shelter island to the north) is at your back. The fish congregate on these spots in the winter. There are hundreds of flats like this in the lagoon

4. there's usually a nice breeze to help push across the flat. Sometimes it is hard north, then you fish different.

5. the fish are schooled up hard, in big schools, if you see one there's a ton. Baitfish too-one toss of the cast net and I had 100 live finger mullet( 4"-6") for the baitwell. A 5 foot cast net.

6. Since the net ban there is alot more fish of all types, which is good, but this time of year with the cooler water temps, there are less bait-stealing trash fish(catfish,ladyfish,jacks). It also means there is alot less variety for forage fish. Which makes your live bait top of the menu. It also means if you find the bait schools you find the game fish are sure to be nearby.

7. Its not as crowded out there. Its the mosquito lagoon, you can always find a lonely spot. During the week is the best. In the skinny, you have to be as quiet as a hunter. Gives you alot of time for thinking.

8. In the spring and summer its all different, the fishing is still good,( 'the bite' is actually better), but the conditions are not as good.When the water is clear like it is now, I scout out new spots for then.

Now getting there and getting it done are for another tutorial, or if you want to know, just ask.

[oneighty]

1. I have never done that type of fishing.

The water is too shallow for C-4.

Hee hee hee! (Bonefish) fishing?

180

[fishnfla]

2. We could use a good minesweeper here

after the hurricanes, all kinds of WWII ordinance was turning up on the beaches, mostly practice stuff. C-4 for bait huh? Does the catch come up cooked?

Word is, there is an old training jet crashed out in the lagoon, the only structure for alot of square miles, it always holds fish so those who know where aint giving it up. Even my good fishing buddy keeps that hole in his back pocket

[oneighty]

3. Torture him-he will tell all!

Yes. In my NEODA quarterly it is reported that a missile-a Tiny Tim was found under a driveway washed away by Jeanne. The missile was live-500 pound warhead. BOOM! Barrier Island opposite Vero Beach is location given.

Ed

PS. C-4 smells good enough to eat! It would likely catch fire if you tried to grill it. I think.

ED