Fish, Saltwater

Lori-Ann Murphy of Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures

Anchored Outdoors
February 23, 2025

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of spotting a fish tailing in the shallows, making a precise cast, and watching it turn to take your fly. Flats fishing is equal parts skill and strategy, requiring keen observation, quick reflexes, and an understanding of the tides and fish behavior. But for many anglers, stepping onto the flats for the first time can feel overwhelming. Today, we’re drawing from the expertise of Lori-Ann Murphy, a pioneer in the fly fishing world, to break down what you need to know about fishing the flats.

Finding The Fish: What To Look For

Flats fishing is all about observation. The ability to recognize fish movement, feeding patterns, and environmental cues will make or break your day on the water. On the flats, fish like bonefish, permit, and tarpon move with the tide, following their food sources (shrimp, crabs, and baitfish) into shallow water.

When scanning the water, look for:

● Nervous water: Subtle ripples caused by a school of fish moving just beneath the surface.

● Tailing fish: When fish tip downward to feed, their tails break the surface, giving away their location.

● Shadows or flashes: A brief flash from a fish’s side or a moving shadow on the sandy bottom can signal feeding activity.

● Pushing wakes: As fish swim in shallow water, they create small disturbances on the surface.

Understanding Tides And Their Impact

Tides play a massive role in flats fishing, dictating when and where fish will be feeding. As the tide rises, fish move onto the flats to hunt for shrimp and crabs in the shallows. As it falls, they retreat to deeper water, making them less accessible to anglers.

Here’s how different tide stages affect your approach:

● Incoming tide: A prime time for fish to push onto the flats. Look for them moving up with the water.

● High tide: Fish spread out and can be harder to target. Focus on deeper cuts or channels.

● Outgoing tide: Fish become more concentrated as they exit the flats, creating excellent ambush opportunities.

Perfecting Your Ready Position

Success in flats fishing comes down to preparation. The time between spotting a fish and making a cast is often just a few seconds, so having a strong, ready position is essential.

● Keep your rod tip low: This prevents slack in the line and ensures a quicker pickup.

● Hold the fly in your non-dominant hand: This allows for a fast, clean presentation when it’s time to cast.

● Keep a good stance: Balance is key. Be ready to pivot and adjust for wind or moving fish.

Casting Techniques For The Flats

Unlike river fishing, where you often have more time to adjust, flats fishing demands quick, accurate casts. The key to success is controlling your line speed, minimizing false casts, and landing the fly softly to avoid spooking fish.

● Short, quick presentations: Fish on the flats move fast, so practice getting your fly to the target in one or two false casts.

● Lead the fish: Cast slightly ahead of where the fish is moving to give it time to spot the fly naturally.

● Use the wind: Instead of fighting the wind, use it to your advantage by adjusting your casting angle and trajectory.

Making Every Trip A Success

At the end of the day, flats fishing is as much about the experience as it is about catching fish. Whether you’re chasing bonefish, permit, or tarpon, approaching each trip with patience and an open mind will make you a better angler in the long run. The best flats anglers spend just as much time observing as they do casting, learning the subtleties of the water, and adjusting their tactics accordingly.

Take Your Saltwater Fly Fishing To The Next Level

Ready to step up your game on the flats? Wil Flack’s online Flats Fishing masterclass is sure to help. Whether you’re new to saltwater fly fishing or looking to refine your skills, this class will give you the confidence to spot fish, make the perfect cast, and land more catches.

Join today and start fishing smarter, not harder!