Everglades: Fishing the Flats! (12/8/23)

Capt. BassinLou · December 08, 2023, 01:32:29 PM

Conditions:
Water temps: Mid to upper 60's
Outside Temps: Upper 60's warmed up fast
Skies: Cloudy
Winds: Calm at first, then 8-10 out of the East.
Water clarity: Clear
Water level: Depths varied from 1.5 feet to 4.5 feet
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Bass boated: 8
Fishing times: 6:30am to 11:30am

With all these reports of you guys fishing the flats, I had to go check this out for myself.

Arrived at the ramp at 0 dark thirty. Had to put on my navigation lights, there were several boats already in the area when I arrived. But I suspect they were duck hunters.

Once I reached the area I wanted to enter, I put up my marsh flag, and the adventure began!

Right away, I felt like I was venturing in the old Okeechobee trails. I ran for a spell until I came across an area that looked fishy.

The water was very shallow and clean. I started with the swimbait and went to work.

I came tight on several little bass early. As I continued deeper into the marshes, I came across a nice point of vegetation, and as soon as my swim bait approached the spot, the water erupted! I managed to land a beautiful 4lbr with the new net.

I continued exploring for a few more hours, but the bite was very slow. I managed to catch a couple more little bass and then decided to call it day around 11:30.

All in all, it was a fun day. Exploring new water can be fun and a little scary when you're out there alone. I'm definitely looking forward to getting out there again!!

Thanks for reading!

Mike Cork · December 08, 2023, 01:40:54 PM

Looks amazing, I miss the reeds / cattails

topwaterrob · December 08, 2023, 08:47:35 PM

Nice fish, I feel the same way fishing the flats alone. It's a big area out there.

JHAB · December 09, 2023, 07:11:09 AM

Nowadays a 4lbr makes the trip worth it! Nice going Lou. There's a lot of accessible flats lately due to high water, kind of like fishing Lake "O". I'll be trying it again soon on a less windy day! Let me know next time you're doing a solo out there Lou, 2 boats out there can scout more area and be a backup for unexpected issues!
Tight Lines,
Jim

Eric-Maine · December 09, 2023, 08:44:35 AM

Nice report.

What are you guy using for a marsh flag? How do you have it mounted?

I have not been prepared the few times the water was high enough to get out into the prairie. There were a few times on Okeechobie that I should have had one

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JHAB · December 09, 2023, 01:17:16 PM

I got my flag years ago at local tackle shop, 12x20 orange flag. Mounted on telescopic 10' Panfish pole with flag clips. Stows easy and always handy. Think law is 10' above water line or gunnel. Concept was not to get run over by airboats I believe.
Fish Safe,
Jim

Capt. BassinLou · December 09, 2023, 03:12:51 PM

Quote from: JHAB on December 09, 2023, 07:11:09 AMNowadays a 4lbr makes the trip worth it! Nice going Lou. There's a lot of accessible flats lately due to high water, kind of like fishing Lake "O". I'll be trying it again soon on a less windy day! Let me know next time you're doing a solo out there Lou, 2 boats out there can scout more area and be a backup for unexpected issues!
Tight Lines,
Jim

Thanks, Jim. Appreciate the offer.

Capt. BassinLou · December 09, 2023, 03:13:10 PM

Quote from: Eric-Maine on December 09, 2023, 08:44:35 AMNice report.

What are you guy using for a marsh flag? How do you have it mounted?

I have not been prepared the few times the water was high enough to get out into the prairie. There were a few times on Okeechobie that I should have had one

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

Thank you, Eric.

big g · December 09, 2023, 10:49:28 PM

Nice report Lou. Have not seen any Lox reports in a long time. Those flats are huge and you don't need the flag in the flats.

Capt. BassinLou · December 10, 2023, 04:51:40 AM

Quote from: big g on December 09, 2023, 10:49:28 PMNice report Lou. Have not seen any Lox reports in a long time. Those flats are huge and you don't need the flag in the flats.

Thanks George. Lox is farther away for me, and I don't have to deal with the vultures destroying my stuff!

Donald Garner · December 10, 2023, 12:04:33 PM

Lou, congrats as always on another successful outing. Tks for sharing the trip and those pictures with us.

Backlash123 · December 11, 2023, 06:20:50 PM

WTG Lou! It's a new world in there.

Capt. BassinLou · December 11, 2023, 06:38:42 PM

Quote from: Backlash123 on December 11, 2023, 06:20:50 PMWTG Lou! It's a new world in there.

Thank you for the nudge, my friend! And yes, it's a different ball game out there!

Det. Dan · December 12, 2023, 09:36:54 AM

Hey Lou, did you put in at Lox road in Parkland?

Capt. BassinLou · December 12, 2023, 09:48:16 AM

Quote from: Det. Dan on December 12, 2023, 09:36:54 AMHey Lou, did you put in at Lox road in Parkland?

No sir

topdsm0138 · December 17, 2023, 08:29:19 AM

Quote from: Eric-Maine on December 09, 2023, 08:44:35 AMNice report.

What are you guy using for a marsh flag? How do you have it mounted?

I have not been prepared the few times the water was high enough to get out into the prairie. There were a few times on Okeechobie that I should have had one

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

I was using a 10' fiberglass CB antenna and mount on my old 1436. The flag, I just used a orange sports flag from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Sent from undisclosed location. -Tiller Mafia