After a few years searching for redfish, experienced fishermen intuitively figure out what a good redfish flat looks like, but keeping a journal and cataloging their characteristics shortens the learning curve.
Capt. Jack Brown, who is a student of redfish habits, analyzed all his good low-tide flats, and after years of observations, he put together a list of their shared characteristics.
The most important one: a good flat must hold some water, even on the lowest negative tides. If a negative tide drains a shallow flat completely dry, the redfish’s arch enemy, the bottlenose dolphin, can ravage them when they are forced back into a deeper channel.
Brown found several other shared characteristics. Whether as large as a city block or as small as a basketball court, good “pluff mud” and sand flats will change depth gradually. In virtually all cases, grass will be in the rear portions where the redfish will forage for crabs and other food as the tide rises. Oyster beds are often present that also provide sanctuary for small fishes and other critters and frequently a creek or tidal cut drains into the flat. Most spots will also have some much deeper water nearby, but the two most important characteristics are retaining some water at low tide and having some grass to the rear.
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