3. Planning
My early episode with waning tides taught me to plan ahead. Be aware of what the tide is doing while you're out there. Don't head onto a shallow flat when you know the tide is likely to strand you.
When negotiating the shallows, know your various escape routes - especially those downwind and down-current. Be aware of moon phases and their effects on the flats. What you might be able to float over today might be considerably shallower in a week or two.
Learn to read the various bottoms. Know the difference between grass, sand and solid. Learn how to accurately read the depth at a glance, remembering that in clear, shallow water, the appearance of depth can be very deceptive. Darker water often means deeper water. If you see a bird standing on a flat, chances are good you shouldn't go there.
4. Patience
Though a sage person once said that fishermen and sailors possess more patience than the average person, I know plenty today who have little to none. Our fast-paced society seems populated by more Type A personalities than ever. They always try to take the shortest path between two points - consequences be damned. That kind of philosophy, that "It's all about me!" attitude, can wreak havoc on fragile shallow environs. So here are a few suggestions that you should actually stop to consider as you run between fishing spots:
If you want to travel over a flat that might be too shallow to transit without causing damage, go around it instead of across.
If you get stuck on a flat, pole your way off rather than tilting the engine and digging a trench to deeper water.
Remember that your boat will float considerably higher without anyone aboard. Sometimes the altruistic way to exit a flat is to get off your boat and push: low-tech, but very effective.
