Fishing the Flats

The main feature that defines a flat is a bottom that slopes gently to the shore with very few, if any, steep drop-offs. In some lakes, a flat may be very small and shallow, say eight inches deep, or it may be very deep and go on for acres, as in the Gulf of Mexico. Anglers learn that fishing the flats for fish such as bass, bonefish, snook, and tarpon brings with it some unique challenges, such as casting with finesse. In this exciting narrative, anglers learn safety tips, fishing techniques, and rules about fishing in flats, and all about fishing rods, line, bait, lures, and hooks. They also study the life cycle of a fish, fish food, handling and keeping the catch, and catch-and-release fishing. Other topics covered in this fact-filled resource are overfishing, pollution prevention, and the preservation of fishing grounds.