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January Backcountry Report
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Despite the cold weather, January could be some of the best backcountry site fishing for the entire year. Something you hear me talk about often, is the clarity of the water in January when the microorganisms die off, less rain and runoff, less boat traffic, and with less bait stirring up the soft mud on the flats, you can really see a Redfish, especially if the wind & weather cooperates. The best situation would be a low tide, midday low tide, high sun, and no wind. Of course, if you are poling a flat, try to keep the sun at your back and in the fishes eyes, and this will greatly improve the anglers chances of hooking up. Redfish, when not disturbed, are very territorial and will stay in an area for quite some time. It’s best to fish the fish when it is the exact time and conditions for the flat you have chosen to fish in other words, do not go to a flat before the water depth and conditions are the way you need them to make the proper presentation. Too many anglers try to force mother nature. You cannot go when things are good for the Angler or when your boat can float there etc. I can tell you as a full-time backcountry guide for almost 30 years, these scenarios will never work, and if they do work, I consider that to be lucky!
Whether you are hunting fish on the flats or a Whitetail buck in the woods, the conditions have to be on their terms. As soon as an angler or outdoorsman understands this and accepts it he will be much more successful. Many of my half-day charters are 4 hours because I predict the best times when the species I’m targeting will feed. It’s not an all day thing, and at my convenience!! How to actually fish this time of year, I like two methods. Dead sticking in fishy areas in the back country around oyster flats and actually polling a flat and site fishing tailers or backers. For the artificial lure enthusiast, I like to use a TBS Black bucktail in an 1/8 or1/4 oz and if I’m fishing in extremely Shelly structured areas, I will fish a weedless dark colored soft plastic. If I’m site fishing, I definitely like to pull my clients to be as quiet and stealthy as possible. I try to lead the fish 3 to 4 feet and just twitch the lure as the fish approaches. Some of these methods require a little bit of an experienced angler. Accuracy and staying in tune with your bait since the boat is not anchored can be challenging, but not very hard if I am dead, sticking with shrimp or mud minnows, which are two of my favorite baits in the backcountry I like to stake the boat out and fish The rips (current around oysters).
Use a 30 inch piece of 20 pound floor carbon. Very important, since floor carbon is abrasion resistant and oysters have a tendency to cut lines! I like to cast with in 2ft of the oyster bar and stay in tune with your lure, know what your bait is doing at all times! Very important! Be prepared & wait for the bite. 👍👍🐟
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