Flats fishing

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

History[edit]

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[edit]

Fishing on flats is often done with baits, lures or light spinning tackle, or by fly fishing.[1][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[edit]

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][16]

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.[17][18][19][20][21][22]

Targeted species[edit]

Fish species often targeted in the United States include redfish, snook, juvenile tarpon, bonefish, permit, pompano, sea trout and others.[23][24][25][26] Larger gamefish such as marlin may be targeted in some locations.[27] Some species such as bonefish may be regulated for catch and release fishing only.[28]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Martin, Guy. "Premier Fly-Fishing Captain Paul Dixon Hauls The Billionaires To The Bass In The Hamptons". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  2. ^ "Flats Class". World Fishing Network. 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  3. ^ "Flats fishing for bream using lures and fly - Fishing World". www.fishingworld.com.au. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  4. ^ "Five Tips for Sight Fishing on Cloudy Days". Field & Stream. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  5. ^ "How to Fish the Flats". Sport Fishing Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  6. ^ "The Bonefish Vacation: A D.I.Y. Stalk on the Flats". Field & Stream. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  7. ^ ANGLING 101, Robert Lugiewicz-. "Wanted: The perfect boat". Sun Newspapers. Retrieved 2021-02-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Clarke, John (2018-08-15). "The New Fishing Vessel of Choice? Stand-Up Paddleboards". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  9. ^ Herald, By Frank Sargeant | Special to The News. "Don't have a boat? No worries, you can still catch a bounty of fish". News Herald. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  10. ^ Dorsey, Chris. "Remembering The Ultimate Bonefish Destination". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  11. ^ Santella, Chris (2012-06-19). "Finding Work From Fly-Fishing's Popularity (Published 2012)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  12. ^ "Fish Hawks in Paradise". Garden & Gun. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  13. ^ Maizler, Jan S. (2007). Fishing Florida's flats : a guide to bonefish, tarpon, permit, and much more. Tim Borski. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida. ISBN 978-0-8130-3145-3. OCLC 154704847.
  14. ^ "Saltwater fishing fury". minotdailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  15. ^ Video: The Bahamas Are a Resilient Paradise, 2020-07-29, retrieved 2021-02-17
  16. ^ "Andros Island: An Offshore and Inshore Fishing Mecca". Sport Fishing Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  17. ^ "Out of the Ruins: Photos of Mexico's Best Flats Fishing". Outdoor Life. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  18. ^ "Outdoors: Christmas Island offers local anglers ultimate fly fishing holiday". The Blade. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  19. ^ "Crankbaits on the flats for big bream - Fishing World". www.fishingworld.com.au. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  20. ^ Santella, Chris (2011-10-01). "A Tropical Technique for Maine's Shallows (Published 2011)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  21. ^ Apr 9th 2017 - 1am, fccnn Administrator | Sam Cook |. "Fishing guide prefers simpler tactics for Lake Superior's big Seeforellen brown trout". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 2021-02-17. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Sons of Santiago". Field & Stream. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  23. ^ "Fishing Report: Feb. 12, 2021". FOX 13 News. 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  24. ^ "Tips on How to Fly Fish for Pompano". Florida Sportsman. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  25. ^ "Best Bets for Florida's Big Bend Inshore Fishing". Sport Fishing Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  26. ^ "Best Location, Bait and Technique for Permit". Florida Sportsman. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  27. ^ "Big tuna caught on Hervey Bay flats - Fishing World". www.fishingworld.com.au. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  28. ^ "Bonefish". Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
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