MASTER ALL THREE
by Kevin Fenn

Different styles of fishing survive everyday in Florida but how often do you bump in to a well-rounded angler? Fly-fishing, casting, and spinning are the three styles of fishing that can move an angler a step above those anglers relying solely on one type of rod.

If an angler can pick up any style rod at any time, you can rest assured fish will be nervous. A shallow flat with tailing redfish isn’t a good choice for a casting rod with a top water plug. The better choice would be a fly rod with a weightless fly to gracefully lie out on the water. Side skipping a pinfish into the deep cover of mangroves or grass beds would be best achieved with a spinning rod and not a bait caster.

            The point I’m trying to make is that, if you only use one style of rod, you’re decreasing your chances of catching fish. How would you go about learning all three, you ask. Well, if you’re a paddle-angler, it’s really not that hard. Accuracy is going to be the top concern and you should really consider spending time with a friend, at a local shop, or even attending the fishing shows throughout the state.  Since the paddle-angler is so stealthy, distance should never be too big of a concern in the casting of either fly, bait, or spinning.

A while back, I remember a friend of mine telling me to always pick a spot before every cast, even if fan-casting. Doing this will give you the accuracy you’ll need and, in time, you’ll become a real “six-shooter”!

The best way to learn ALL styles of angling is to always mix it up. I’m always carrying three rods on my yak and they are all rigged with different types of lures too! Spinning will always get a top water plug, plastics, or a live bait rig. Casting will get a plug or spoon and my fly rod gets anything small or silent on sunny days.

You should also try to throw one style of rod for a short period and then pick up another to mix up the routine. I’ve also found that spending long days on the water can wreak havoc on your wrist from the reel-pull/ jig-jerk motion of the rod. So, by mixing things up a bit, you may avoid that wrist pain.

As always, I hope this helps and just wanted to pass along some info to get you to try another style of fishing…I too often find myself throwing one type of rod all day and wish I had picked up that fly rod for just a second or had that spinning rod rigged with a plastic jerk bait. If you want to take it up just a notch, master all three and you will be sure to catch more fish!

Kevin Fenn is a guide and writer for independent publications in the state of Florida. See his website www.castandpaddle.com for more information.