Fishing extensive flats style structures requires the upmost stealth to continually outsmart theses tidal feeders. Fish move into theses semi tidal zones each flooding tide to forage for food amongst the weed, sand or rocky terrains.

Its best to move onto the flats as soon as the depth allows your boat enter. Predatory fish will start feeding on the flats as soon as there is enough water to cover there backs or in some cases with there backs half out of the water.

When approaching your particular flat, its best to stop well away from the flat and approach with the aid of electric motor or wind drift towards the flat. Any noise coming from your boat or even your boat wake will spook flats fish. Using electric motors will also spook fish in the shallows; sediment that gets churned up by the prop and the noise itself are big turn offs to flats fish.

Shadows are another big factor to consider when fishing flats. It’s best to position your boat so your bodies silhouette and boats shadow do not face towards where you are casting. Fish are very spooky when feeding in such shallow water and shadows really put fish off the bite.  Early mornings and late afternoons when the sun is low on the horizon are the hardest times to fish because of the distance that your shadow will extend.

Ultra long distance casting with your chosen lure is a must when fishing flats. Position your boat to maximize potential casting distance and to target likely fish holding areas without the continued use of your electric motor. Target areas like subtle depth contour changes, deeper holes, weed, rock and especially the sandy sections in between the weed or rock.

A good pair of polarised sun glasses is a must to actually see your intended victim and to see the underwater terrain that you are fishing.