Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
2007-10-07 11:31:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Fishing
I'll be on the East Coast near Melbourne. Perhaps moving from there to the Bradenton area
2007-10-08 20:26:32 · update #1
Stilhdr , check some of my "starred questions" for extra info regarding flats fishing.
Gimme and Adam are "dead on" about the structural integrity issue regarding Salt VS Freshwater lures.
If you intend to use your Bass gear/lures make sure to "rinse" and switch-out hooks and O-rings to 3X strong.
I agree with Adam! We can't really help you if we don't have a general idea of where in FLA your moving to! (lol)
UPDATE: Oh, your loving it! Indian River/Sebastion Inlet area is super fun and very "fishy".
Inexpensive way to go: Buy a canoe or kayak and rig it for flats fishing. Fishing for Reds, Trout, & Snook from a kayak or canoe is productive & fun! There are many areas in this region that are "no-motor" zones. You can catch a BUNCH of fish cruising the flats & weedlines in a kayak casting 1/8 OZ jig & shrimp combo's and Berkley 4" PowerGrubs in "Glass Minnow", "New Penny" , "Electric Chicken", "Smoke/Black Fleck", "Pogey", Etc.
Buy yourself a map of your area and look for accessable small creeks adjacent to large "no-motor" flats. You want to be fishing areas that have good tidal current, baitfish, & "depth" NEXT to or flooding into, a nice 2-4 FT flat.
I use either 6 LB Stren Superbraid (green) or Berkley 4-6 LB Fireline (smoke) with a tippet/leader of 10-12 LB flurocarbon. If your a good "knot" person you can bloodknot, Etc your leader on your main line OR use a small black swivel. Long casts can be important in flats fishing ergo the smaller diameter main-line.
Freshwater Senko-type lures work well along grass-edges but you have to "juice-them-up" with Pogey spray.
Look for shellbars. Shellbars are "buffet table's" for saltwater fish, (much like good docks can be for freshwater Bass). An example of a "good" bar would be one that "slopes" into deeper water, is near the channel of a creek, is near flowing current, and has abundant LIVE oyster's. You should also be on the look-out for any "flounder prints" near oyster bars, (oval-shaped prints left by flounders).
I'm very happy you get to experience flats fishing in one of the "mecca's" of flats fishing.
If you need further info check my past "starred questions".
2007-10-07 20:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by Swamp Zombie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well i live in southeast florida. But really as far as lure fishing goes nothing really changes from bass fishing to say snook fishing. The lures are a little different but all in all its the same. It really depends on what your going for. Bait is a little different. I would say the best all aoround live bait is shrimp. Even dead shrimp is effective. Of course something like offshore fishing can be a whole new ball game. To really help you I need specifics. You can email me any questions and I can point you in the right direction. Offshore or Inshore.
2007-10-07 21:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by Adam 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The saltwater flat fishing is on the west coast of Floirda.
Make sure you get the proper licenses and stamps for the fish you plan to catch. I know that for tarpon and snook you need a stamp for, I am not sure if there are other fish of the flats that you need one for. Here is a website with some regualtions: http://www.floridasportsman.com/regs/
Like the other person said, with saltwater it is important to rinse everything with freshwater to ensure that it will hold up better.
The following website has up to date reports from all arond Florida: http://www.sunsportstv.com/fishing.jsp
Have fun!
2007-10-07 19:12:30 · answer #3 · answered by brwnidjkmo 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Salt and fresh have their differences, but when it comes down to it, fish are fish. Reds will eat bass lures, I've seen it, it's just that freshwater tackle isn't made to stand up to saltwater environment.
Rinse your rods and reels as often as you can think of it... because there's nothing like having a reel decide it doesn't want to work for you in the middle of a trip... *mutter*
Anyway, potholes, channels, cover, structure... fish are fish...
2007-10-07 18:44:31 · answer #4 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cool on the move to Florida!!
The only big difference will be the use of leaders(flurocarbon) swivels or knots live baits and hooks.
Flats fishing can be so much fun but can also drive you crazy!
Good luck on your move and same me a few please!
2007-10-10 01:39:28 · answer #5 · answered by Injun 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to be in the Tampa Bay area, contact Capt. Scott at www.tampabayinshore.com
2007-10-08 01:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by Fireguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋