Catching fish in the shallows rewards good fishing skills. Seeing a cruiser before it detects your presence requires keen eyesight and a stealthy approach. Casting accurately and drawing a strike is rarely straightforward and a refusal is always a letdown. When you get a take, it is highly satisfying. As a bonus, the fight is often frantic as the fish seeks the sanctuary of deeper water.
Success in shallow water can be elusive because this zone has a way of exposing an angler’s shortcomings. Skinny water teaches hard lessons about what stealth really means. Casting accuracy is tested. On some waters the challenge to hook that elusive species can be extreme, and anglers can spend many sessions working for that first fish.
Many species patrol the margins so anglers in a variety of areas can participate. Apex predators in trophy sizes like Murray cod, barramundi and flathead are caught in shallow water. Meanwhile species like whiting, jew, bream, trevally, threadfin, “tuskies” and trout are taken in “skinny” water too.
The shallows are rarely easy, and anglers soon see the need to refine their approach. The following article discusses the tactics and techniques required to be successful in the shallows.
SHALLOW ENCOUNTERS
There are several iconic experiences Aussie anglers can have fishing the shallows. My favourites are all about stalking and fooling big fish using a quiet approach and long-cast tackle.
In winter big Murray
