Thread: Reading the ocean

Can someone please explain to me how to view a map such as google earth etc n explain to me what to look for in trying to figure out sand bars etc etc. I've looked on this forum for it and I think I'm more confused now lol. I'm coming down next Monday and wanna try to figure out the sand bars in the ocean over by sea oats that's on the lagoon. I'll do my homework if someone can explain to me what I'm looking at and looking for. Thanks a lot guys for any info you can share.

On Google Earth, I clink on the icon in the lower left corner for satellite, and zoom as close as I can to beach area I will be fishing. I know from experience that the satellite image is only showing a couple of hundred yards off the beach, but even that little helps differentiate the shape of the beach and the first bar. Hope this works for you, smooth drags to ya.

0ops, it is not google earth I use, it is maps. Not 'puter smart enough for the good stuff.

Originally Posted by bodebum

On Google Earth, I clink on the icon in the lower left corner for satellite, and zoom as close as I can to beach area I will be fishing. I know from experience that the satellite image is only showing a couple of hundred yards off the beach, but even that little helps differentiate the shape of the beach and the first bar. Hope this works for you, smooth drags to ya.

Thank you sir

If you are looking for holes near shore it is wise to go down and walk the beach during low tide, that will be Monday evening after sunset. The nearshore fish may concentrate in the holes at high tide the next morning. You will be coming down on the heels of a neap tide so tides will be building during your visit.

Daybreak in the holes will give you a good shot at some specks.

You can get a calendar with tides at Outdoor Alabama if you do not have one.

http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/...n-Calendar.pdf

BTW, by daybreak I mean first light. The fish will actually be feeding in the dark and the bite shuts down when the sun hits the water.

You're looking for anything different, a break in the waves, a trough close to shore, a steep drop on an otherwise gentle beach, etc.. These differences tend to concentrate prey and the fish you will be after.