BigBendFishing.Net

When y'all have been talking about flats fishing, what are you talking about? I would "guess" not the same as when I talk about flats fishing since we've got such different, vastly so it appears to me, tidal ranges. But I could be wrong on that. This is what a great flat would look like:



And this is what I'd expect to see on a sweet flat like that:



At the tail end of the flood tide we'd see this from time to time too:



And we "stalk" our fish on foot usually, trying not to bonk them on the head (which I'm GREAT at doing....they don't like that much I've learned)



Which hopefully ends up with a dance after a sweet offer



And then a gorgeous fish



Until it's my turn to chase the tailing beauties



So, that's flats fishing for me on the east coast of FL.

What would be considered flats fishing on the west coast of FL?

Danibeth

There is some of that type of fishing on the west coast of Florida, but when we refer to flats fishing we are referring to the shallow grass flats of the gulf that extend from Panacea all the way down to Crystal River. These are open waters for the most part with submerged grass with depths of 2' to 6'. In this area of the gulf, that depth extends out up to 2 miles in some places, but most of our fishing is from very close to shore out to 1 mile.

Flats fishing around these parts looks like this!



Dubble

I would call yours tidal flats and ours grass flats.

Danibeth, we've got one board member that goes to some pretty long lengths to get to out of the way spots he fishes by foot. Gary Droze. Heck of a fisherman. He's the guy to check with if you want the scoop on the best places to fish by foot. Interesting fellow in general... educator, competitive runner and coach, as well as fisherman, though not sure which order he would put those accolades in.

Sharing links from a few articles he's written as an introduction. Sure if you shoot him a PM he will gladly prove helpful.

http://coastalanglermag.com/bigbend/2014/02/low-can-go/
http://coastalanglermag.com/bigbend/201 ... expanding/

come to SJB with us the first week of May. I'll show you awesome flats. I don't wade them, but you can.

It is like the discovery channel with big rays, sharks, trout and acres of reds in less than 2' of water. Matt and I had ~14.5#s by the time first storm showed up at 9:15 last year.

Thanks guys.

Showboat, I'm not sure what SJB stands for but thanks for your offer. I will be moving into Tallahassee that first week in May probably so I won't be able to make it. But thanks for the offer. Sounds like a lot more fun than moving

So, Danibeth

where are you fishing those beautiful flats on the east coast ? Looks like the bottom youre wading in is firmer than our flats

Saint Joe Bay

Thanks Ranaman...

Those flats I'm fishing are on the northside of Jacksonville. The short grass is pretty hard ground for walking. The taller grass gets mushier as you get closer to the creeks, but still not horrible. So, it is pretty good walking....get to your flat, park your boat and head on out on a walk...

Also...those flats I fish are very tide dependent. Those particular flats I won't fish in anything less than a 5.6' tide, and that is the lowest of the high tides I'd fish it. Even then only a few of the lower flats will flood enough the reds will get up in them and the window for fishing them is very very short before the water starts draining out.