Flats fishing is one of the most interesting, rewarding, and visually-stimulating ways to fish. With species that are as gorgeous as the scenery, fishing the flats allows you to enjoy a highly active form of angling. Many of the people at Scout Boats love fishing the flats, and we’d like to share some of the most important tips and information with you, hopefully making you become a better angler and giving you more opportunities to enjoy your boat!
Techniques for Fishing the Flats
We could write a text book on flats fishing, so for this post, we’ll just stick to the basics. First of all, you need to understand that flats fishing is heavily influenced by the tides. When the tides are down, many of the flats become dry beaches. When the tides are up, however, predator fish move into the area to feed on the flooded beaches that hold shrimp, crab, and grazing baitfish. Make sure you understand the tidal calendar for the best success on the flats.
Many saltwater anglers move from shore fishing or surf casting straight into flats fishing. Unfortunately, the large, heavy equipment that allows you to cast at great distances is practically useless on the flats. You need light tackle like a spinning reel with a seven-foot rod or a light and nimble fly rod.
Bring your weights down, both in line and terminal tackle so you can cast accurately and place the bait exactly where you want it.
To find fish, use your eyes. The flats will be teeming with baitfish, so when you see activity in the water, this is the time to cast. Targeting structure is great for bass fishing, but in clear-water flats, spotting the fish is a smart practice. This means you’ll also want a raised platform so you can spot activity at greater distances. Polarized sunglasses will also help with sight fishing.
Because flat water trophy fish are often skittish, using a cane pole to navigate the flats will help you reduce noise and have more success.
If you’re fairly new to flat water fishing, it’s not a bad idea to hire a guide. You could spend years of trial and error to learn the best techniques and skills for flats fishing, or you could hire an expert for a day or two and take advantage of their experience.
Tops Species for Saltwater Flats Fishing
Permit: Found throughout the tropical Atlantic regions like southern Florida, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas, these fish give a tough fight when hooked, often taking up to ten minutes to land on lighter tackle. They feed off crab and shrimp on sandy bottoms and make great table fare.
Redfish: The redfish, also known as the red drum, is perhaps the most popular and sought-after saltwater fish in America. The species is found from the Texas gulf coast to the Washington D.C. area.
Bonefish: This might be the ultimate challenge for flats fishing. The elusive, wary, and finicky bonefish is a gorgeous species, but catching one requires patience and skill, making it a highly rewarding sport fish for shallow water flats.
Best Boats for Flats Fishing
At Scout, we take pride in creating boats that are made for comfort, performance, and fishing. Our luxury fishing boats are designed to meet the needs of different boaters, and many are uniquely suited to the flats.
- 177 Winyah
- 177 Sportfish
- 195 Sportfish
While there are other models that are certainly capable of fishing the flats, these three will meet the needs for this specific type of fishing thanks to a smaller design, lighter profile, and abundant fishing features. They all come with fishing features like live wells and rod holders, and can be equipped with trolling motor plugs and other accessories.
Find the Perfect Fishing Boat for Flats Fishing
Use our Build Your Scout feature and you’ll be able to create a boat that meets your specific needs. Whether you want to fish the flats or cruise across the bays, we have the right boat for you and your family!
