Whatever area you prefer to fish, a good Plan B is vital.
Capt. Jonathan Sanchez said these are the main factors to consider:
• Wind direction — When you’re forced to resort to Plan B, absolutely the first thing to determine is what direction the wind is blowing from.
• Check your charts — “You want to get as close to the outside waters as possible but still have a lee shoreline to fish behind,” Sanchez said. “Look for any area nearest to the outside that will offer you some relief from the winds and seas.”
• Water clarity — Once you arrive at the Plan B area you chose, look for clean water. High winds from any direction can make that a challenge, but your success or failure depends upon it. Trout in particular, hate dirty water.
• Read the signs — Use your eyes and search for slicks on the surface, signs of baitfish, current moving along a shoreline or around a point, or a line of separation between dirty water and clean. Trout will often hang just along the clean side.
• Fish the topgraphy — Try fishing around prominent points or cuts, and along reefs and shell banks that look promising. “Remember, you’re scrounging around like a dog in a yard trying to find a bone,” Sanchez said. “Try any place that looks promising.”
• Be patient — Once you find some fish, stay with them, even if you’re catching a lot of throwbacks. If you’re also catching keepers in the mix, be patient and peck away. You’re filling your box one keeper at a time.
