Depending on weather patterns, things usually begin to take
off at some point during this month. Now is the time to make
sure all of your reels and tackle are in great working condition.
The influxes of bait schools are making their way onto the flats
and can always be found at the bridges and on most of the markers
in Tampa Bay.
Snook
Hopefully we will not have any late cold fronts.
March is usually the turning point where the fish make
their way out of the winter holes. This is a transitional month
for linesiders, so your success will be based on being at the
right place at the right time. When this happens, the
snook will start to feed on anything that comes their way.
Once the schools of scaled sardines and greenbacks become
big enough on the flats and mangrove line, the snook will stay
in these locations.
Redfish
While we can catch redfish year round, they tend to perk up as
the water gets warmer. Like the snook, they will also become
more active as the influx of bait schools start to show up. Work
the flats on low tide looking for tailing redfish that are foraging
through the grass looking for a meal. As the tide rises you will
want to work the oyster beds. Early in the morning, I will work
a topwater lure to locate the fish. Once I find them, I will switch
to a soft plastic like a Berkley Gulp Shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head.
This tactic will almost always initiate a strike.
Trout
Trout fishing might just hit its peak this month. The bigger
size, usually females, are in spawn and will eat anything in sight.
With the warmer weather the trout will really start to chew on
the incoming bait. This is sure to fatten them up. Look for areas
that have glass minnows and white bait. Work the edges of the
flats with a 1/8 oz jighead. I found that Old Bayside 4" opening
night shadlyn is irresistible. You will want to use a slow retrieve
bouncing it off the bottom.
Other hot spots
The bay and beaches are also holding a lot of spanish mackerel.
Just look for the bait and you will find the macks. Search the
grass flats and markers for cobia this month. A live shrimp or
whitebait will always work, but for quick action have a 10" Gulp
Eel rigged and ready. You will want to use the lightest jig head you
can get away with. I have the luxury of having a tower on my
24 ft Ranger. This enables me to target cobia much easier.
Contact Capt. Mike Gore at 813-838-5413 or emailhim at captainmikegore@tampabay.rr.com. His website can be viewed at www.captainmikegore.com for more charter fishing information.