FOUR FOR THE FLATS

As you can imagine we continue to field countless questions regarding the (wading) flats fishing opportunities that are present in the Chatham area of Cape Cod. As a forty year veteran of the long rod, this is by far the most exciting fishery that I have ever encountered (and this includes countless adventures to Belize, Florida and the Caribbean). Because my fishing time has been relegated to weekends, holidays and a few vacation weeks, I generally have to pick my shots with utmost care before committing to a particular destination. With this in mind, I have assembled a list of criteria that I feel is absolutely critical to maximize your success should you venture to Chatham’s hallowed waters.

Unfortunately all four elements are totally out of your control: wind, tide, sun, and water clarity.

WIND
Wind direction and velocity play a very important part in optimizing your chances when sight fishing these shallow water areas. If I were able to select a direction that would be most desired it would be either west or south. To say that the remaining two offered no angling possibilities would not be true, however, I have fared much better with the prior.

Fly fishing angler’s in particular will find that dealing with wind in excess of 10 mph, and doing so with distance and more importantly accuracy, will become an exercise in futility, as well as limit your sight fishing capability. I am, in general, looking for wind in the 3-5 mph frame, just enough to break the surface tension of the water, but do little to hinder a well intentioned cast.

On the contrary lack of any wind can, quite frankly, be the "kiss of death." Stripers are quite often excessively skittish under these conditions, and even a passing gull’s shadow can send a perusing school off to the security of deeper water.

TIDE
To achieve success while flats fishing it is imperative that there be sufficient water up on the intended area. Since the northeast is saddled with tide displacement in the ten foot range, it is absolutely essential that you schedule your visits to coincide with high tide, with two hours prior until two hours after the high tide ebb being the most desired window. These are the "golden" hours. Most fish will leave the sanctity of deeper channels and begin marauding skinny water areas once their comfort range is achieved by the incoming tidal pull.

To maximize your success I would also make it a point to schedule your visits during high tides of 11AM-3PM. It is this period, with the sun directly overhead, that offers anglers MAXIMUM visibility "through the water." High tides during early morning or late afternoon can fish very well, but your sight will be hampered by the angle of the sun, greatly reducing visibility and sentencing you to a session of blind casting, which you will generally achieve only token results.

SUN
This element is really self explanatory. No sun, no sight. Even hazy days limit one’s ability to sight fish at distances. Countless times I have had all the other criteria in line only to have my day subverted by high wispy clouds, limiting my ability to locate fish at 100-120 feet. If at all possible, schedule your visits to coincide with days that offer 100% available sunlight. This is easier said than done.

WATER CLARITY
We can review meteorological maps, web sites, and tide charts to determine what conditions are in the offing. Water clarity is the unknown that can only be ascertained by physical, on-site inspection.

Weeds, mung, debris and other matter that is often transported by incoming tides is a nuisance that can nullify an otherwise promising excursion. I can call to memory an episode which occurred three years ago when the planets were all in line but the promise of a "premier" outing was dashed by the presence of acres of eel grass that had become dislodged by a mid-week storm. Not only did this event eliminate the possibility of maintaining a clean fly during the retrieve but also greatly hampered visibility.

In the occasion that all factors are consistent with this criterion, realize that you have been blessed with outstanding good fortune. Loose your aggressiveness to the whim of the surroundings and enjoy your day on one of the most productive salt water domains on this planet.

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB