Flats fishing

[robman]

Hi Team, This is a great forum, I have spend a number weeks reading past threads and posts.

I am interested in the 'Flats' type fishing that was mentioned by Dave W in his post regarding his efforts at Foster. Dave W has provided me with lots of info over the past few weeks, so I don't want to keep hammering him for info.

I fly fish for trout in lakes and we fish a style which is called Loch Style fishing. That is drifting with a sea anchor and casting out in the direction of the drift and retrieving the flys in various ways. One of the ways is to get the flys up near the surface and attract the trout to strick.

How is your Bream flat fishing technique done is it similar to the above mentioned style? A basic run down would be appreciated.
Regards Robman

[jimi]

Hi Robman, I think Dave W's technique is probably more subtle than mine :) , but the loch style technique you mentioned is similar. Incidently there was a good article on Loch style fishing in the last flylife.

There are two types of flats that I've been fishing here in WA. The first type are large expanses of shallow flat bottom that may be several hundred metres long. We just drift over those with a sea anchor (actually buckets until I get a real sea anchor) and cast in all directions and retrieve the lure over the bottom. If the lure stirs up the bottom, that seems to make the fish notice the lure better.

Other flats that I have fished are shorter and are really just beaches that come out a short distance from the shore. Here I just use my electric motor to move slowly along parallel to the shore and cover as much ground as possible. Make sure that you cast as close to the shore as possible (land it on the beach if you can), as the fish are often right in against the shore.

Some things that I have noticed about our flats:

- The are generally more productive if there is evidence of fish feeding activity such as small holes in the sand, and lots of brokens shells lying about.

- Some weed cover is ok, but I've found the best flats are mostly sand with lots of shells in them. Flats with more than about 50% weed don't seem to fish as well. Particularly thick weed.

- Larger lures seem to work better in this situation than in more traditional snag fishing situations. The river2seas that we are always on about and owner cultivas, etc. are worth a go here. That said, I've also caught heaps on oargees too. You can also wind a bit faster than the dead slow retrieves that are needed around snags etc.

- The fish will go into very shallow water. I've caught fish in water so shallow their backs were out of the water.

- Rising tides seem to be the best, but they will be on some flats all the time. You just need to find them.

- Keep moving!! They are generally spread out on the flats so you need to find the fish by being constantly on the move. If the wind is too light to drift, try motoring with the electric.

Cheers

[Bream Master]

And don't give up...

I came second in Walpole fishing an area 1km x 500m over the two days. I just kept drifting and casting. Look for any small breaks on the bottom whether it be a small rock, a bit of weed, a rut...anything. You'll find the fish treat it like structure and dwell around it. Sometimes it would be an hour between fish.
Warren.

[robman]

Thank you to the guys for the replys to this thread.
Do the bream stay around the flats all year or do they move up river or out to sea? The reason I ask is because I am not sure if you guys just target the flats at this time of the year ie when it is colder.
Regards Robman

[Mim]

All year.

JP and I both caught bream on the flats in the last Perth ABT round, as did many others and it was over 40 degrees on the Sunday

Cheers

Mim

You People have all the luck i went down to fish some of the flats in applecross and as soon as my sp hit the water it was destroyed by blowies :(

Daniel

[robman]

Now it is thank you to the guys and Girls, Thanks MimboNo5.
Regards Robman

[Tony Ireland]

I remember doing a lot of fishing down at the flats in Tuart Hill when I was young testosterone charged bloke.:D

There were always a lot hardbodys around but they were reluctant to let us try out our soft plastics.:D

Starting to fell my age now, I think I had better go walk down by the river. :D :D :D

[Richo]

This months Western Angler has a great article in it. :) about the flats.

[breamdude]

I'm also interested in flats fishing and I'd really like get my hands on that article! I'm in Syd, tho.. Any way of readin' it?