Sight-Casting; Seeing Is Believing!

First, I want to thank the readers for making me feel so good about the piece in the August issue of the GCC. It was with total sincerity that I wrote the words that appeared in that article. If WE put our minds to it, WE can turn this thing around and have the trout fishery our future generations deserve. With that said, let's get to this month's topic.

I think most anglers who are familiar with my fishing career, know that I am first a trout fisherman. Grew up chasing them and will die chasing them. Trout, especially mature fish, keep you guessing and do not come without a complete understanding of what makes them tick. I am still learning and will be until my brain can no longer retain the knowledge given it. I would have some argue that my one brain cell is already in overload mode. We still get the job done on a consistent basis, so for now all is good in the attic.

In this issue we will talk about sight-casting, primarily to redfish, but during certain times of the year large trout can also be caught with this style of fishing. I caught my first double-digit trout more than 20 years ago on a day of sight-casting to redfish during a mid-winter fishing trip.

August through October can be some of the best sight-casting times of the year. With lighter winds and lower tides, fish can be seen much easier, making sight-casting one of the most productive and enjoyable methods of fishing. It is however something that requires a higher level of skill, so be prepared to put in some time on the practice field.

When we mention the term, sight-casting, most anglers immediately envision tailing redfish on a calm, skinny water flat or along a saltgrass shoreline. Sight-casting though has a broader meaning; it is casting to a specific object that we have sighted. The object does not necessarily have to be a fish; it can be submerged structure, a nervous mullet or a bird that strangely hovers over a particular area. Best-case scenario is of course an actual fish.

Sight-casting takes practice. Accurate casting ability is not something that comes naturally. Bass anglers are among the best at sight-casting to nearby targets, but saltwater anglers probably cast to objects at greater distances with more accuracy. ALL sight-casters need to be able to make the long cast as well as the short flips and pitches.
It's what you do the most that you are the best at. Seasoned fly-casters can make me stare with wonder at their ability to cast such a small fly such a great distance so accurately. Practice makes almost perfect in the sight-casting game. If your do not practice casting to objects you see while fishing or in an open area while not on the water, you will stumble when your chance comes on the real thing. I pitch and flip to Dixie cups in the backyard and small potholes on the flats while fishing.

It amazes me at just how many anglers never practice their accuracy skills. I constantly pick objects, some moving and some stationary, and make repeated casts to them as I wade down a shoreline. You can bet when my chances come I am ready.

One of the most important aspects of sight-casting is the stealth in which anglers approach the areas he or she intends to fish. If you are pushing mullet out in front for ten or more yards, you're moving too fast and making way too much noise. If the mullet spook, the redfish and trout are probably already in another county.

Wading slowly also helps to prevent a nasty encounter with a stingray. By wading slowly and watching every movement in the water you will be surprised at what you see and how close some of it is willing to swim.

"In the water" was the term mentioned in the previous paragraph. Lots of the time we catch ourselves looking only to the surface of the water for the signs of the fish we are targeting. Redfish are masters at sliding just below the surface, fins down and tail ever so slowly easing them forward. They need to work slowly in order for their hunt to be productive. I try to get my clients to train their eyes to see through the water. Look for the slightest hints of movement. A pinkish or bronze glint, an iridescent glimpse of blue that ripples off the tip of the tail, a wake or "V" that pushes across the shallows.

Ever see a small white shrimp doing a floor routine of flips and hops across a seemingly calm flat? A wise sight-caster will have a lure right in behind that shrimp. I hope that you can start to see that sight-cast fishing is more than just another way to make a cast.

Once fish are located and you've been working on your casting accuracy; timing and presentation come into play. Timing is everything when it comes to skinny water fish. In shallow water, fish of all species become much more aware of the world above the water. The slightest movement can spook an aggressively feeding fish. Shadows and body movements can play critical roles when stalking your prey.

I like to keep my shadow away from the targeted areas, sometimes this might mean wading into the wind or at odd angles along the shoreline. Movement with the rod can also send fish packing, one-spooked red leads to two and two leads to well, you get the picture. I have learned to cast at low angles to the water and have incorporated flipping and pitching techniques into my sight-casting game. Again, this takes time and practice.

Timing is also critical. I watch the fish and try to notice the line of travel the fish is on. Once this line is established I pick an ambush point along this same line. Predators know where the ambush points are so when they enter; say a pothole, they expect to see something fleeing from their presence. I try to have my lure visible to them as they enter and then have the bait react as if it knows trouble has entered its space.

Typically, the slightest twitch of the bait will bring the fish charging across the pothole. When fish are aggressive, you never see the bait disappear; it is just a tick on the line. Non-aggressive fish take more timing and a better understanding of what is going on with them. I personally like to bring the bait across their nose but out in front at a greater retrieved speed. Quiet often just the glimpse of the bait will draw that instinctive strike.

"Study long, study wrong" is what my dad use to tell me when shooting a basketball. The longer I studied the basket the worse I shot. Luck for our team, I was sitting on the bench next to my dad most of the time so it never hurt us.

Another thing I have observed and this is especially true with trophy trout- moving fish are much easier to catch. If the fish are stationary, your chances are decreased greatly. I know from experience that large trout lying motionless in water clean enough for us to see them are darn hard to catch. Add even the slightest movement to the picture and you're in business.

When sight-casting from the boat, lots of things come into play. There is hull slap from wave action, some boats have it and some do not. And what about casting platforms are they good or bad? Raised platforms are great for seeing fish at greater distance but sometimes the fish see you before you see them.

Never let yourself fall from your poling platform or casting deck if you can help it. Jump and land on your feet. When you fall, you lose body control and this can lead to something terrible happening. Twenty-plus years ago I got my poling pole stuck in the Estes Flats mud and ended up hanging onto it as my client slowly drifted away. Embarrassing moment but I learned from it.

Fish will definitely see you if you're too high but the other side is you can see them farther out and this is an advantage to us. Longer more accurate casts are required when sight-casting from the boat. Want to see some really good sight-casters? Watch the FLW Redfish Series or the Redfish Cup coverage on ESPN and FOX SPORTS on Saturday mornings.

Finally, there is the excitement of watching a fish actually eat your lure. It is still as exciting today as it was when I was a young boy. I am always amazed at the quickness in which it happens. One of the problems I see with many anglers is the inability to let the fish get in a position to set the hook after the initial take. I immediately crank down on the strike without moving the rod. At close range, the rod movement AWAY from the fish can telegraph her, sending a message to spit the bait.

By they way fish do not let go of the bait. They do not have hands! Once the line and the rod have been loaded, the hook can be set. If the fish is looking at you, I suggest letting it turn left or right before striking. I have had fish hit so close to me that I actually allowed them to swim past me before setting the hook. It takes time, patience and confidence to pull this off but you can do it.

Sight-casting is something that takes skill; there is very little luck involved. The slightest miscue on your part will send your target fleeing and leaving the rest of the flat aware of your presence. In closing, I would like to remind everyone that our bays and back lakes are more crowded than ever. Be mindful of your responsibilities as a person to other persons. I believe the greatest Fisherman of all instructed us to "DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE WOULD HAVE THEM DO ONTO US." Life is too short to be inconsiderate.