You've heard about it, and now you've decided you want to get into shallow water fishing. You want to be the guy that reels in shallow water fish like snook, red fish, tarpon and snapper. But you know that without the right boat, that's not going to happen.
First of all, to do it right, a guide is a must. A Florida flats fishing guide is invaluable to find shallow water fish. This guide, or Sultan of Snapper, will take clients out to hard to access areas, usually in a specially designed skiff, which can be anywhere from 15 to 20 feet long. Shallow water boats such as these may seem outsize, but due to their shallow draft, they navigate elegantly in "skinny waters."
"Flats fishing," as it is also called, requires special shallow water boat called a skiff. These boats are specially designed to be wide and stable, affording sportsmen the opportunity to fish in water as shallow as three feet. When you can actually SEE the fish you're after, it really adds to the experience.
And you definitely want that vessel to be able to "run skinny"! After all, if a shallow water boat can't give you extreme shallow water performance while still being able to handle sudden rough or choppy waters, it's not what you need. Shallow water boats worthy of the name should be able to take off from as little as ten inches of water!
Shallow water anchors are definitely something else you have to consider. Why? Because you have to decide between manual or power anchorage. You go manual, then you're looking at a three-quarter inch rod of solid fiberglass, which functions as an anchor AND as a push pole. Brackets built right into shallow water boats hold the push pole in place.
Motorized options for shallow water anchors mean that you press a button, and an anchoring pole deploys in mere seconds. No muss, no fuss, the spike goes down beneath the water, six to eight feet, and bingo, your boat is halted in its tracks. Shallow water anchors that are motorized ensure that even strong currents or blustering winds won't cause your boat to budge.
While the shallow water boat treks smoothly along the back country, this will be the fisherman's chance to take in Florida scenery at its most pristine. He can view all manner of plant life, from orchids and primordial fern to the draping Spanish moss so typical of Florida forests. He can catch a glimpse of turtle or deer, in addition to the shallow water fish just inches away.
The appeal of shallow water fishing is best found in places like Florida Bay. With mangroves aplenty, there is always something primal and unspoiled to enjoy, whether it be the challenge of landing a largemouth bass, or spotting a wading ibis just a few feet away.
If you are looking for a power pole for boats to keep your boat still and catch more fish, check out an alternative topower pole anchors
