Access and Approach is often the key to fishing success!

One of the most overlooked aspects of the inshore game is how we access and approach our fishing areas.  Every day I witness anglers running their skiffs and bay boats right up onto the flats they intend to fish. Then they put their trolling motor down and start casting without any regard for the angle of the sun or the direction of the wind and/or tide.  Do they really expect to catch fish with this strategy?   Here are a few considerations you should think about before approaching a flat.

Common sense should tell you that riding across a flat and then shutting down your boat in shallow water is not only excessively noisy but sends a pressure wave across the flat warning the fish that you’ve arrived!  Use a little logic here.  To access a flat properly shut down on the deeper edge of the flat or at least a couple of hundred yards away (500 yds.) from your target area.  At that point use either a push pole or a trolling motor to carefully approach the area you intend to fish.  But access is not the only factor to consider. There is also your approach once you’re on the flat hunting wary game fish!

The next part of the equation is to determine which factor is more influential for your approach, wind direction & velocity or the angle of light (sun position). If the wind is very light, position the sun at your back to maximize the angle of light (better visibility). This allows you to see the features of the flat like potholes, subtle depth changes and even the fish themselves.  In essence this scenario allows more reaction time to make presentations and gives you many more lure options, vastly increasing the percentage of success.  Now if you are faced with windier conditions, then let the wind override the position of the sun in your approach. Put the wind at your back and use it as an advantage to make your boat more silent and also to extend your casting distance.  Because the sun may not be at the best angle in this scenario. Search baits like topwaters and spoons work well and let you cover more area by blind casting.  The more water you can cover quietly and efficiently will naturally increase the odds of catching more fish!  Conversely, haphazard approaches that do not consider wind direction or the angle of light usually result in hull slap (noise), a big loss in casting distance, and ultimately spooky fish!  In either situation, wind vs. light, boat control and positioning will be the mitigating factor in your overall success. Vital tools like a push pole, a trolling motor, and a Power-Pole make the task much easier!

So don’t get in a big hurry to get up on a flat. Instead, stop and think about how you plan on accessing the flat and the approach you are going to take once you get on the flat. What’s the wind doing (speed & direction)?  Where’s my best angle of light (to see bottom features & fish)?  By taking the time to answer these simple questions, you will have a significant tactical advantage over your quarry and more confidence to make the casts necessary to catch more fish!

By C.A. Richardson