Take Your Pick in Fishing the Flats

As viewers of the Fishing the Flats TV show already know, the state of Florida abounds in prime locations for that sport. Fishing the flats may be done anywhere from Mosquito Lagoon to Indian River, from Fort Myers to Naples, not to mention the Keys themselves at the tip end of the state.

It looks so easy when my man, Henry Wszczuk, does it, on Fishing the Flats TV. But while I might not be able to take in the more exotic sport fishing available to Henry and his ilk, in spots like Mexico or Costa Rica, I was perfectly content to fish home waters in my native Florida.

Before you knew it, Waszczuk had his own fishing magazine, and he turned years of angling experience into dynamic fishing the flats TV. Any given week, the viewer can watch Waszczuk and crew take on a new adventure. One episode might deal with fishing the flat (and ultra-skinny) waters of Charlotte Harbor, Florida, seeking the mighty redfish in its winter habitat.

Low tide will find you in 12 inches of water, staring down into a sandy bottom thatched with turtle grass, or a muddy bottom dotted with manatee grass. Either way, the fish will be darting around, hunting baitfish, or in cool weather sunning themselves against the sand. He who would fish the flats in search of redfish will do best with an 8-weight rod, with a floating line.

Florida is not the only east coast site to provide angling pleasure. Fishing the flats of North Carolina, in Pamlico Sound, is known to yield giant reds for the sportsman willing to be guided by Waszczuk.

What about further afield? Fishing the flats TV seeks bonefish in the Bahamas, an outsize specimen called roosterfish in the exotic environs of Costa Rica, and shark, of all things, in Long Island, Bahamas. Fishing the flat marshy waters of Louisiana is an unforgettable experience, poling a skiff along back waters dimmed and darkened by Spanish moss draped trees.

North of Tampa Bay can be found the Steinhatchee River. Fly fishing the flats here means taking a shot at cobia, tarpon, Spanish mackeral and scallops. The rocks in this area play host to crabs and shrimp, which in turn attact the redfish.

So, to sum up, once I figured out that the best fishing is usually when the tide is coming in or out, fishing the flat waters around my home has become a blast.