When reading a book you start out by looking at the cover, and the same is true for fishing. In this case, your cover is the weather and whatever conditions surround you. Note the wind speed and direction, where is the sun, what tidal movement is there if any, the temperature and so on. Whether you are going to fish from a boat, kayak or wade fish this information is vital to your success. It can tell you where to fish and what species you are going to target.
Knowing where to cast once you are on the water can make all the difference in the world. Early on, be quiet and pay attention to any activity around you. Especially notice any schools of mullet or shrimp that are jumping around. Sometimes they are just playing around, but often times this can be a sign that larger game fish are chasing them. Casting in that direction is often a good place to start. Underneath the surface of the water you may also see smaller crabs that are being chased by predators.
Birds are another great fishing indicator, especially when they are feeding. My favorites to follow are the blue heron, pelicans and gulls. All of this wildlife activity is useful if you know how to read it. Not only can it help to find fish but also give clues as to what they are feeding on.
Structures are the next most important thing to pay attention to. The physical layout of the area you are fishing can control the movement of bait fish and predators alike. I tend to focus on drains, which are gaps between islands and sand bars where water flows from shallow to deep areas. When there is a lot of tidal movement these areas have a TON of bait fish passing through, with some nice speckled trout and redfish sure to follow.
I use a bone topwater lure to recon the area. Once fish are located by a strike or a blow-up, I switch to a soft plastic either weightless or not, but always weedless. Then I start working the area probing for that big bite. I section the drain area and work each one with maybe 3 or 4 casts before moving on.
My lure of choice is a Brown Lure Devil Eye or Sea Devil. There are tons of colors to choose from, and we each have our own favorite. My favorite is Little Pinky (pink with silver hologram). It has been a proven color for me in clear to muddy water for over a year. This method of fishing works well, and I use it whether fishing for fun, with clients, or in tournaments.
Learning to read this "living book" can give you a real advantage the next time that you go fishing. As always, pay attention to the weather, wildlife and structure to get the most out of your day. Time and practice will teach you what all of these clues mean, so go out and test it for yourself. Good Luck Fishing!
Knowing where to cast once you are on the water can make all the difference in the world. Early on, be quiet and pay attention to any activity around you. Especially notice any schools of mullet or shrimp that are jumping around. Sometimes they are just playing around, but often times this can be a sign that larger game fish are chasing them. Casting in that direction is often a good place to start. Underneath the surface of the water you may also see smaller crabs that are being chased by predators.
Birds are another great fishing indicator, especially when they are feeding. My favorites to follow are the blue heron, pelicans and gulls. All of this wildlife activity is useful if you know how to read it. Not only can it help to find fish but also give clues as to what they are feeding on.
Structures are the next most important thing to pay attention to. The physical layout of the area you are fishing can control the movement of bait fish and predators alike. I tend to focus on drains, which are gaps between islands and sand bars where water flows from shallow to deep areas. When there is a lot of tidal movement these areas have a TON of bait fish passing through, with some nice speckled trout and redfish sure to follow.
I use a bone topwater lure to recon the area. Once fish are located by a strike or a blow-up, I switch to a soft plastic either weightless or not, but always weedless. Then I start working the area probing for that big bite. I section the drain area and work each one with maybe 3 or 4 casts before moving on.
My lure of choice is a Brown Lure Devil Eye or Sea Devil. There are tons of colors to choose from, and we each have our own favorite. My favorite is Little Pinky (pink with silver hologram). It has been a proven color for me in clear to muddy water for over a year. This method of fishing works well, and I use it whether fishing for fun, with clients, or in tournaments.
Learning to read this "living book" can give you a real advantage the next time that you go fishing. As always, pay attention to the weather, wildlife and structure to get the most out of your day. Time and practice will teach you what all of these clues mean, so go out and test it for yourself. Good Luck Fishing!
About the Author:
Captain Steve Utley of Blue Heron Adventures is a Texas Fishing Guide who specializes in kayak fishing for big speckled trout and redfish. His fishing lures of choice are Sea Devils by Brown Lures. Captain Steve recommends trying out some from Brown Lures for your next fishing trip.
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