August 3rd it's You against You, or is it?.........

Fellow fisherman,

I get a lot of calls from people looking for the magic key to unlock the door to fishing success on the flats. I do have the answer or at least part of it.

The key to the puzzle is in the DAO, When Beauty is recognized in the World ... Ugliness has been learned;

To know the answer is not to know it - confused now???

So you see that big redfish on the flats, you have it all figured out, but in reality you have only found a redfish or has he found you? Where will he be in an hour, now tell me that and you have climbed the ladder, or, have you?

As the water leaves the flats a phenom happens, yes the fish wags his tail and leaves and that's the problem - or is it the answer to the problem?

Think about the term "fishing," exactly what does it mean? Lefty Kreh says "bait has no home" this is a great thought and a fact that adds to your challange.

Fish constantly move, so does the water, the earth, the wind and you in this watery world.

In Everglades National Park it is widely excepted that fishing CAN BE consistent but normally for no more than three days in a row, the three day rule. Weather and tides many times enforce the rule.

So where is this all going? Don't try so hard to find fish. Check the tides, formulate a plan and STICK TO IT. Unless weather has other ideas, ignore 90% of the dock talk going around. At the end of the day don't let the "i should have's" ruin your trip. Turn it from a negative to a positive by using the day's experience as a stepping stone to success for future trips by noting the bait or lack of them, water temps, tides and water conditions. Take notes and use them as a guide for future trips but don't count on them. Hold your head high when Jason, the surveyor at the ramp, asks the question about how many fish you caught - even if it hurts. After all, you were on the water and he was at the ramp.

Remember .... fish have tails and you now have one too.

- Capt. Dave












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