Plan B

Prior to any fishing trip, most anglers formulate a game plan- we call it "Plan A." Plan A designates a target species, strategy, starting point, and choice of tackle for the trip. Plan A is usually based on a wide array of influences ranging from weather patterns to fishing reports. Variables like current movement, water temperature, and the presence of baitfish are fairly reliable predictors of predator activity and a good way to put together the plan. Other influences, like "hot tips" from fellow anglers are somewhat less reliable. You know the story- "Yeah... old Larry Mullen Jr. said his cousin J.T. has been tearing them up on the south flats. I hear they're big ones too. We need to get in on that! We can beach the boats on the sandbar, pack our lunches, and wade in."

Once Plan A is established it always seems to follow a similar course of events (at least mine do). First, there is the overconfident journey to the coast- big talk and absolute faith in a foolproof fish-catching plan. And then there is the reality unveiled by the first wade, proving yet again that regardless of how inspired Plan A is, it generally veers off course once you hit the water. My experience has been that unpleasant details like gale-force winds, deep mud, and boisterous boaters are just a few of the factors that conspire against Plan A. Discouraged anglers get quiet as Plan A disintegrates, then they get restless, and finally someone speaks up. "Whose idea was it to come here anyway? We gotta' try something else." Enter Plan B.

The longer I fish, the more I believe in the substance and honesty of Plan B. Formulated on the water by nearly-defeated anglers who are desperate for results and reduced to negotiation, Plan B throws hype out the window and gets down to business. Unlike its superficial predecessor that promised quick returns and big pay outs, Plan B promises nothing. It rewards creative thinking, hidden opportunity, and hard work. I know this because I am regularly victimized by Plan A and depend on Plan B to catch fish.

When formulating Plan B my first move is to consider the options. I can quit and go home (not gonna' happen) or I can move locations, change tackle, change strategy, or even pursue a different species of fish than what I had intended. Generally I start with the location, asking, "How do the conditions differ from what I expected? Is there sufficient current? Will there be current soon? Are baitfish present? Is the water too hot or too cold? Are there good ambush points for predators? How will another location differ from this one?"

Usually I can think of a million reasons why fish should be present in a good-looking area, but that doesn't mean they are, and it doesn't mean I can catch them. If several similar areas together demonstrate a negative trend, I often choose to make a big move rather than another small one. You know the old saying, "Why keep doing the same thing and expect different results?"

If I have been fishing flats, I go to secondary channels. From secondary channels I go to main channels or man-made structure. From main channels I go back into the weeds and so forth, all the while keeping my eyes peeled and retaining the option of revisiting a promising location later in the day. It's a often vertical game, covering a variety of depths and structural features rather than covering wide open spaces with long wades. To effectively fish structure and depth requires some flexibility in fly tackle. By that I mean flexibility primarily in fly lines.

Generally, fly lines bracket a depth and flies are just along for the ride. Floating lines work great for very shallow water, but if you want to fish deep, your fly line needs to go deep. For this reason I often cast intermediate or fast sinking fly lines. After all, fish feed at a variety of depths, NOT JUST IN SHALLOW WATER. The option to fish sinking lines is a key part of my Plan B.

What about flies? With a few exceptions, I subscribe to the Lee Wulff principle- "The last thing you should change is your fly." The flies I typically rely on in tough conditions are simple, reliable producers, like Clousers and EP Baitfish. Once I select a pattern, I work it too exhaustion. I'll slow down, speed up, and try nearly any sort of retrieve to draw a strike. When I am absolutely sure a fly is a dud I'll cut it off and try the same pattern in a smaller or larger size. If that doesn't produce a strike, a completely different fly comes out of the box.

Most of us dream about big reds and trout, but sometimes catching them, or even finding them, isn't in the cards no matter what we try. If that's the case, Plan B means it's time to lighten up and go after something else. It's an easy switch for me because I don't ever keep any fish, so table-fair is not an issue. What I do value is a strong fight.

Two alternative inshore species that fit the bill are ladyfish and jack crevalle. Ladyfish surfacing around passes and jetties are a blast on a fly rod and the big ones are startlingly strong. Jack crevalles, the bad boys of nearshore waters, often hang out in these same areas. Jack crevalles provide an extended adrenaline fix and they will quickly make you forget about those barren flats. If you're willing to play, there are plenty of other hard-fighting fish out there to make great memories, including sheepshead, black drum, whiting, flounder, even tripletail.

The key thing to remember when things don't go as planned is to remain flexible. Keep your eyes open and be willing to try something new. By changing your tactics and taking a new approach you can improve your skills as an angler. And if you give it a chance you may find, as I have, that good things ultimately come from going with Plan B.