Patrick Crawford said the use of a flats boat with an elevated position for poling and observing the water in front for tell-tale signs of reds moving is not mandatory for success — but it does help a lot.
“Standing high on the poling platform, I can see the redfish much easier and much further away,” he said. “The key to success is often seeing them as far away as possible, because the water they are often in can be so shallow any unusual noise can have a negative impact on catching the redfish, they are so spooky in shallow water.
“Reds are real spooky and being very quiet is a must. If you move too fast while searching for them, you may blow them out of the area,” he said. “Patience and keeping a close watch for their presence are keys to success. By spotting them a long way off, I can slip up on them from the proper position and cast lures in front of the school. Getting the lure in front of the school in the direction they are moving is important. Odds are great the a few fish will quickly peel off from the main body of fish, which can number in the hundreds in a single school, and literally race to see which fish gets there first to bite.
“Generally the water is so shallow and clear the fisherman can see all this play out. It’s often difficult to have the steady nerves needed to be able to wait and have the patience to actually let the fish take the lure before setting the hook. Premature hook setting is a common issue with missing fish.
“Fishermen in regular boats can be and are often successful, but it’s just easier when I can get a higher vantage point,” Crawford said. “As a guide, I do not want to miss a single opportunity to get the edge on redfish in shallow water and the flats boat gives me a distinct advantage over those who do not have them.”
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