SOUTHEAST • GULF COAST On a rising tide, reds nose up
towards flooding oyster beds. PHOTO: JOSE CHAVEZ
REDFISH TIDAL TRENDS
Tides play an integral role in a redfish’s feed- ing habits. Pick up the pattern and you’ll pick up more fish. During the incoming tide, fired- up redfish follow the rising water in search of crustaceans and baitfish that are out of reach at low tide. Hungry reds flood into feeder creeks, rummage across oyster bars and search be- neath mangrove roots. As the tide starts mov- ing back out, redfish retreat to the edges of oys- ter bars, mangrove lines and the creek mouths looking for points where they can ambush an easy meal. At extreme low tide, the fish will look for an edge that offers quick access to deep water. When the tide turns and starts to flood, the fish go on the feed. —JOSE CHAVEZ
LET MULLET LEAD THE WAY
Mullet aren’t tough to spot. They often travel in large schools and they love to jump. When you find mullet, your target species can’t be far off. During the winter spawn, everything is feeding on mullet. To get into the action, throw mullet imitations such as the Yo-zuri Sashimi Pencil or D.O.A. BFL. When preda- tors are keyed in on larger mullet rumbling across shallow grass flats, I switch to a five- to six-inch jerkbait laced onto an Owner Twist-
Lock hook rigged weedless. Whether you are exploring a new area or fishing familiar wa- ters, find the mullet and you’ll find predators. —JOSE CHAVEZ
SHOCK THAT STAKEOUT POLE
When the action gets fast and furious, there’s no time to fumble with your stakeout pole. To keep that giant toothpick locked and loaded, partially insert the end of the pole into one of your tankwell scuppers. Then, wrap the near- est piece of shock cord around the pole to keep it standing straight. If your kayak isn’t already rigged with a shock cord, stretch a piece be- tween two deck loops. To stop on a dime, sim- ply mash the stakeout pole through the scup- per and into the sand. –JOSE CHAVEZ
LINE TWIST: IT’S A DRAG
Fish with a spinning reel and you’re going to encounter line twist. To fix line twist, cut off the lure and drop the end of the line in the water. Next, put the rod in a rod holder and drag the line in the water until the spool is empty. Then crank the line back on the reel while pinching it between your fingers. Repeat the procedure every couple of trips to extend the life of your line. —JOSE CHAVEZ
Use shock cord to stick
that stakeout pole. PHOTO: JOSE CHAVEZ
2012 SKILLS GUIDE
www.kayakanglermag.com… 45
When mullet thrash, gamefish
are usually on the hunt. PHOTO: SAM ROOT
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