Lures that tend to tumble or spin when cast or retrieved (jigs, softbaits, etc) can put a lot of unwanted twist in your line, which in turn leads to tangles, birds-nests, and lots of colorful language. Using a swivel (the smallest version possible for a stealthy profile) when attaching your leader line will minimize the problem. But if your line does end up all kinked and springy, here’s the cure: simply snip off the lure and feed line from your reel while your boat is underway. Feed out about 75 yards of line, let is unwind for a minute or so, then reel it back in. If you’re land-bound, try tying your line to a fixed object, feed line from the reel as you walk away, untie the line and “snap” the rod as you refill the spool to work out the kinks. Voila: straightened, smoother-casting line.

In winter months “down south”, cold weather, wind gusts and low tides can make shallow-water angling a real challenge. But, as with most things in life, you can find a silver lining if you look hard enough. In Florida specifically, redfish and especially snook will move inland as the thermometer drops, and they can often be found “sunning” in protected bays, especially those with dark mud bottoms that soak up and hold the sun’s heat. Move into such areas slowly, use a good set of glasses to look for moving or stationary fish and slow down the presentation of your lure or fly.

At Shallowfish we tend to cater to anglers who fish artificial lures and flies, but we hold no deep bias against bait anglers. In fact, here’s a tip for that crowd: Be sure to wash your cast nets out with fresh water after each use. Yes, they’re made out of durable stuff, but saltwater is about as forgiving as a boarding school nun. Beyond a good rinse, drop it in a 5-gallon bucket in a mix of water and 1/4 cup or so of fabric softener. Let it soak for about an hour, then rinse it off and hang it with the leads just touching the ground (which will straighten any kinks but not put undue pressure on the mesh). This will make a brand new net supple enough for great “pancake” quality spreads, and can be repeated on and off throughout the life of the net.

If you plan on wading southern shallows for redfish, snook, trout, and other game fish, don’t overlook the presence of sting rays. Ask any Emergency Room nurse of doctor who works near coastal areas “down south”, and they’ll tell you stories that will curl your hair. While “rays” aren’t aggressive by nature, they will defend themselves by jabbing a poisonous barb into the foot, ankle or calf of the hapless person who steps on them, often with shocking force. The best way to avoid the pain? Move slowly and shuffle your feet, which will spook rays off the bottom and send them on their way. If you do get barbed, soak your foot in the hottest water you can stand for instant relief, then get to a hospital.

When sight-fishing in shallow water, try to keep the sun behind you (or at least at your side) if at all possible. This will give you a better view of the bottom, your lure or fly, and any fish in the area. A bonus? A bright sun in a fish’s eyes makes you tougher to see, so you can get closer before you place your cast. This simple tip can do wonders for your sight-fishing success.

One of my favorite verses from the Good Book is: “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s a clear directive, one that asks us to set aside the distractions of daily life to ponder the wonders that surround us, ultimately attributing them not to some serendipitous series of cosmic events, but to a Divine mind. Regardless of your beliefs, as an angler there is wisdom in taking moments of silence to reflect on your surroundings. Too often we attack fishing spots without pause, overlooking telling signs and clues…not to mention natural beauty. On a recent trip with a friend we took a quiet and thoughtful approach, drifting slowly across an open bay before sighting (and ultimate hooking) a 100+ lb. tarpon…a fish we never would have seen had we attacked the spot aggressively as we normally do. Point is, there is wisdom in taking the time to stop, observe and think. The best anglers are the most attentive anglers, and to be attentive you must be still.

Descending leaders are wonderful when tied correctly, and a well-crafted one will turn over beautifully. But tying a leader that features differing line weights in various lengths can be a time-consuming and even frustrating process. If you’re just concerned with catching fish – instead of setting records or pitching perfect casts – skip the complicated knots and mathematical calculations. In the shallow salt, use an eight to 12-foot section of straight 20-30 lb. leader and you’ll catch plenty of fish. I realize that purists will gasp at this suggestion…and that’s half the fun.

When fishing shallows in a skiff, it pays to keep your anchor—tied to a cleat with a short length of free line—on the casting deck. When you hook up, simply drop the anchor over the side to stop your drift, preventing you from floating across potentially productive water as you fight and land the fish. The downside of this approach is that an anchor can make a lot of noise as it clunks around on the deck. A simple solution: put an old towel underneath it. This approach not only deadens sound, it also serves to keep the deck dry.

This unlucky soul was impaled by a ridiculously large treble hook, though the way he’s sloshing back the Maker’s Mark, he likely doesn’t care. I’m not posting this video for shock value – I’m adding it because the gentleman who gets the hook out does a good job using a technique that might prove very useful to one of our readers down the line. Press down on the hook shank, wrap heavy line around the bend of the hook, clear the path the dislodged hook will follow and give it a quick and forceful yank. Of course, barbless hooks aren’t just fish friendly – they also make this gut-churning process far less painful.

When using a trolling motor or (especially) when poling a shallow-water skiff, trim up your main motor but leave the skeg in the water. By getting most of the motor’s lower unit above the waterline, you’ll greatly reduce drag, making the skiff much easier to push along. In addition, the skeg will act as a rudder, and will keep the boat tracking relatively straight.