|
Walter & Group....
[GH] From Len Anderson. (My comments in his answer text in italics.) :
Questions on the quick casts made while wading a flat :
1. Name some of the problems encountered when using the quick cast when wading a flat.
1. Wind in any direction, line management if I miss the basket and line goes with the current or gets blown out of basket. I hit my head with a clouser type fly, again the wind was a factor. My rod spooked fish when I was making cast. I lined fish when I misjudged the distance to target.
[GH] All true.
For the second part of Task 13 on the MCI exam, however, the answers should address the line handling problems, specifically. Things such as:
- No deck or cockpit on which to store the line coils. Cannot handle as much line out of the reel as you can when fishing from the skiff. Solutions: 1. Use smaller loops and let dangle from the line hand to the water surface. 2. Use a stripping basket. 3. Use smaller loops. (This is OK because you can get closer to the fish when wading; so you usually do not need very long casts) 4. Allow one long loop of line to drag in the water.
2. How (if ever) would you change your quick cast method to help solve some of these problems.
2. Be aware of the wind direction when stalking fish, use a side arm cast to lessen the chance to spook close fish.
[GH] True. Let's add: 1. Carrying less line, you will use a shorter stroke and less casting arc.
2. If you elect to allow the last (longer) loop to lie on the water, you can use it to increase rod load on the pickup.
3. Are there any advantages to wading rather than fishing from a skiff when going for bonefish on a firm, shallow flat ? If so, list them.
3. By wading I can get closer to fish, I am able to change direction of cast easier.
[GH] Yes.
4. Are there any advantages to fishing this flat for bonefish from a skiff ? If so, list them.
4. Better visibility, cover water faster, make longer casts
[GH] Yes.
5. When fishing tropical flats, it is rare to have to wade water which is more than mid-thigh depth. Once in a while, we do that for permit in water waist deep. If you did that, how would you modify your line handling and casting methods ?
5. I would hold my rod higher, make sure my back cast is not hitting the water behind me. I would have a stripping basket and only use the amount of line I can handle comfortably.
[GH] True. However, using a higher trajectory for your casts will help preventing the loops from striking the water without the need for actually holding the rod higher. This will also help prevent the fish from spooking as the creature spots your rod.
Another consideration: Some switch to a "Bruce Richards" casting style such as is used by float tubers or folks wading deep. This is an "elbow out to the side - shoulder rotation" style.
For some reason (???) most tropical flats fishers don't like to use stripping baskets.
6. You are wading a flat with a tidal current running in a down-sun direction. You have chosen to work in that direction because the visibility is better, and you have spotted a few fish there.
Would you consider a modification to your casting and line handling technique ?
6. I would use a low a profile as possible and cast low to the water to try to avoid spooking fish with rod movement.
[GH] OK. You could also allow the fly/leader and some forward taper to float down current and then use a water haul (tension) pickup.
While we're at it, let's add a couple of practical flats wading questions -
7. This one has nothing to do with casting. You are wading a bonefish flat which is almost knee deep. Your skiff is staked out about 100' away. A 5' lemon shark is slowly swimming right toward you. What do you do ?
7. I would stay rite there. I've never experienced this.
[GH] Correct ! Experienced flats fishers have discovered that if the shark gets close to the angler, slapping the water hard with the rod tip right BEHIND the shark's head to one side will almost invariably cause the critter to make a hasty move away. The idea, is to make the commotion behind his eye so he cant see it. Anything he HEARS and cannot see, panics him.
8. You are wading a muddy flat for redfish. There are many sting rays moving about. Some are partly buried in the marl. How do you avoid accidentally becoming injured by stepping on one of them ?
8. I wear flats boots and shuffle along so rays know I'm coming.
[GH] Yes.
Len
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[GH] From Rick Brown:
Gordy, I have fished the southern Texas coast for reds, Mexico, Belize and Turks for bones and tarpon (never got a tarpon). My experience is limited but I will take a shot at most of them. I am sure that these answers are not very sophisticated.
1) A problem with me when I am wading is having too much line dragging behind and it always gets tangled up behind or hung up on my gear belt.
It seems that the wind is always blowing like a sum'bitch.
2) Keep as much line as possible out of the water and practice casting more on windy days.
3) The advantage of wading is stealth. The fish do not see you as well, you will make less noise. You can more easily adjust your casting stance for the best presentation.
4) From a skiff, you have more mobility and you can see fish better. There is a better chance of hooking yourself or someone else.
5) Clueless
[GH] See my answer, above.
6) A mystery to me since I don't know the terms.
[GH] My bad !!! I've used a term common to our Florida Keys flats fishermen. the term, "down sun" refers to sun at your back. This gives best visibility in front.
7) Lemon sharks are not generally considered dangerous, but they are curious and will swim close for inspection. I believe the best thing to do is to do nothing, no sudden moves, splashes or anything that might attract the shark. I have also been told that the the slime from bonefish that gets on your hands and perhaps shorts and shirts is a natural predator attractant, so pay attention to this possibility.
8) Keep a close watch and shuffle your feet.
best, Rick
|