At times pending weather and the extreme low tides this time of the year (winter), it becomes really hard to get many strikes! And what is that saying "What comes after two days of rain and wind? Monday!" which then makes it hard for many of our fans and friends to get out after those rough weekend weather cycles and fish, because they are back at the office...
However, winter days like that are tailor made for just slowing down and a perfect time for some scouting new and old water!
Leave the rods at home, grab your camera, and embark on a trip to capture photos! Note the latitude and longitude of those sights that are now visible, but usually submerged or partially exposed.
Trips like these are incredibly valuable later in the year when the fish become more active! They're perfect for discovering those hidden gems like cuts, holes, pockets, and other structure notations (like grass) that you can now see and capture in pictures. You don't need a significant depth change in these areas to attract fish, as they're strategically positioned to move with the tides as they either rise or fall. Just like the birds, they're actively feeding on the (now, still) or moving water.
In this article, we're excited to share some tools for your observation and logging of these trips, ensuring they're as productive as possible! These adventures are also perfect for bringing the kids along for a ride on the Skiff. Make a few stops and let them take on the role of photographer or research assistant, logging the observations you point out. It's a good way to boost their Situational Awareness (SA) and help them become better fishermen and navigate with confidence!
Here is a list of what you should consider making and taking along for scouting trips:
It's the perfect moment to grab that older small backpack you have lying around and put it to good use! Create your own notebook with plastic insert sleeves, perfect for slipping in pictures, blank notebook pages, and even a few blank scouting trip logs to jot down your thoughts. We've got a sample log sheet you can download, print off and use below!
Pop open Google Earth on your PC and make some plans of area's you would like to approach and visit on these lower tides and (now) exposed areas. It might even come in handy to print off some screen shots, and drop them into your notebook and maybe even print off some to draw and jot some notes on.
You may want to (also) load a copy of Google Earth on your Phone for a quick location reference while on the water. Comes in handy for those who do not have Marine MFD units and quality charts onboard OR as a simple back up type navigation system if your onboard unit fails.
Bring the camera and leave the rods and reels at home, or you'll inevitably end up wasting valuable scouting time trying to get a few hits under challenging fishing conditions. Focus on the purpose of the trip and stick to the plan!
Safeguard your camera from environmental effects with confidence. Ensure you have multiple clean microfiber wipes for the lens and screen. Even a breeze can deposit salt spray, and once salt dries, it may scratch the lens during cleaning. It's best to wipe it off while a little damp, followed up by a separate dry cloth. Always return the camera to your carry bag before moving. Encountering a wave at the wrong angle can cause it to fall off the console, seat, or worse, end up in the water!
Peak Design Sling Bag We have a good article one how to help plan for such and maintain your expensive camera gear while in this environment by clicking here:
Don't forget the Wide Angle Lens if you have one!
They can work great for this type of work as well as making Panorama shots so, you can really get an even wider field of view if needed. YouTube has a ton of information on how to take panorama shots with either your brand of camera or even your iPhone.
And yes, you can use your phone, but it typically lacks the focal reach and field of view needed for this kind of work. For more tips to enhance those photography skills, including the use of your phone, check out our article on that subject by clicking here:
What the phone is great for is as a real time tide chart so you stand less of a chance getting hung up while scouting around. Our favorite is Tides Pro
Tides Pro packs a lot of information into a small screen, click on the picture above to learn more. When packing your gear, you may want to include a Power Bank charger to recharge your phone and camera if needed. I like the one from Sabani because it conveniently includes most of the necessary cables for recharging most devices, eliminating the risk of forgetting or losing them. Like how many times have you dug around in your camera or gear bag, looking for a charge cable you know you put in there last night! 🤨
Skiff operation tips while on scouting trips:
Pre-trip planning is important and even more so, scouting new waters looking for those little cuts, holes, drop offs, Etc. that attract and hold fish during different parts of the tide cycle. Safety is greatly enhanced when scouting around by watching the weather, the winds, and simply by slowing down!
When outside of the marked channels, slow down or idle. In many cases the water in the winter months is even clearer than other months. Much better to slow down and really observe all the underwater conditions and slight bottom structure changes, and maybe just bump the bow. Rather than flying in going bang and REALLY getting hung up. Which seems to never fail and happen on a falling tide and now you (been there, done that) are really stuck trying to free the hull. 🙄
And, don't be fooled into thinking you have plenty of water in places you have fished in hundreds of times before!
I ran up on a Flat that I could usually run with my eyes closed (in theory) on an incoming tide during a hard NE wind on a cut behind an island one chilly Thanksgiving day. I dropped the Power Pole, and proceeded to fan cast and slow drift (just pick up the Pole move a few yards, then back down) for about two hours thinking everything was cool. I had the entire body of water all to myself and not another Boat insight for miles! Even the normal Jet Ski Kamikaze pilots (yeah) were missing! 😁
Then I glanced my graph for what part of the incoming tide was still left thinking I had at least another hour of water to run back out on... Wrong, when I finally looked behind me, I saw the water was not heading back onto that Flat. The winds was holding it back, and sandbars were starting show up six inches or so below the surface that was located in-between me and open water.
So, I secured my gear real quick, pulled up the Power Pole, made a quick hard spin to the left to pop her up on a plane as fast as possible, trimmed her out and pulled the Outboard up as far as I could on the Flats Jack and still keep speed. You know the type of run, when everything is trimmed out and you are throwing a cool Rooster Tail run at 30 plus knots and I could (feel) the skeg bumping bottom at times through the deck, as I was going back over that big sand bar! 😮 Lesson learned for sure, if I had waited much longer that day, I might have not gotten back out for 12 hours waiting for water come back in. Which brings us to some more items to check and consider having on days like these:
Get as much weight out of the Skiff as possible. That tackle bag that could work as a back up anchor from all the lead it has, take it off. Extra gear, and coolers you are not using. Leave them at home. Besides, they probably need a good cleaning by now anyway! 😁
If real cold dress in layers (you can always remove if needed) and even though it can seem comfortable when on land or at the dock/ramp. It always feels 15 degrees cooler when on the water worse yet, when you start moving across it. A vest can work great for such since it will help keep your core warm, but still allow for movement to take pictures.
And don't forget those sunglasses to help you see into the water and cut down on the glare even on cloudy days!
Make sure you have enough dry clothing onboard to stay warm, and enough drink and snacks on-hand to carry you for some time.
Remember, the tow boat can't reach you (either) if the water between you and them, is toe nail deep on a Heron.
File a Float Plan with someone who is not going to be on the water that day, and close it out by calling them when you return. It is the first call I make once the boat is securely back on the trailer back at the ramp.
We hope these tips and tools help when making scouting runs. Time investments like these on days not fit for much else, can really pay off later on when the fishing is better during the warmer months.
In the meantime,
We invite you to take in a few Flats Nation Podcast Episodes to help "Scratch that Fishing Itch" when working or traveling and you cannot hitch up the Skiff and go by clicking Here:
Represent "The Nation" and enhance your stealth on the water by choosing our readily available Flats Nation Technical Wear. Explore our latest Casual and Technical collections by clicking Here:
Tight Lines, and God Bless!
Dave and the Team
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