Ask a hardcore angler if he’d rather catch a dozen fish blind-casting or a couple sight-fishing and you’ll probably hear a consistent chorus singing the praises of that skill-meets-patience-meets-focus thrill fest we call sight-fishing. Geographic distribution makes redfish the most commonly sight-fished species; however, bonefish, permit, snook, tarpon and sharks offer a similar cat-and-mouse challenge. Whatever your target, consistency demands a mastery of the three P’s: position, posture and presentation.
Notice that we did not include perfection. That’s because there’s no perfect formula for sight-fishing. Every scenario, every fish — often every hour — is different. Bracing your effort with awareness and adaptation yields consistency.
Worth noting: Bull redfish that no longer fear sharks, dolphins and ospreys usually require less finessing than slot-size reds. Also, fisheries throughout the Mississippi Delta, which have higher daily bag limits and less fishing pressure than, say, Tampa Bay, Florida, or Charleston, South Carolina, are inhabited by fewer educated and, therefore, skittish fish. Nevertheless, each fish yields to self-preservation, so mind these principles for maximum success.
The Best Boat Position to Spot Fish
Keeping the sun at your back sounds good, right? Well, Capt. C.A. Richardson, who splits his time between Tampa Bay and the Mississippi Delta, says it’s hard enough hiding his 6-foot-5 frame from wary fish; he’s not about to give them such an advantage…