The water temperature reached above the magical spring number of 70 degrees at the end of February. The fishing action went to the next level and shifted into high gear. The quantity and quality of fish improved considerably. As we entered into March, a cold front passed and sent the water temps back to 65 and left us with some windy conditions. The action stalled and the fish scattered throughout the bays.
Our fishing exploits continued at a moderate rate in March with trout and redfish supplying most of the encounters. Mackerel and lady fish showed up to add reel screaming, rod bending excitement.
I have detailed some of my trips below for the first half of the month to give an indication of the bite that's going on during the busiest fishing time of the year.
Karl and Joe settled in and started catching trout and a few redfish. We were able to entice a few early season mackerel as well. All of our fish were caught on live shrimp rigged up under a float. We moved around Clearwater Bay looking for moving water, grass flats and around mangrove shore lines until we found fish. That seemed to be the winning combination.
Mike and son, Zack came out on a beautiful early March day for plenty of catching action. They caught a good quantity of trout. All seemed to be near the legal limit of 15 inches. We caught red drum (redfish), black drum and speckled sea trout (drum family) which added up to a drum slam.
On a cool early March day, Mick and Shaun came aboard and employed the same tactics. We started out back in the mangroves catching a dozen or so trout. Our next location was the flats in Clearwater Bay looking for redfish. It wasn't long till Shaun hooked up on a nice 25 inch redfish and did a nice job landing the fish. We moved on and found another school of redfish and boated 8 before the bite shut down and we headed in.
Danny, wife Stacey and sons, Tyler and Blake joined me for an early spring day of fishing. Our first location was back in the mangroves were we found lots of trout. I wasn't counting but I think Ty and Blake out caught mom and dad!
We moved on to another area in Clearwater and found some bigger trout along with speedy mackerels and a few high flying ladyfish. Five year old Blake gets bragging rights by catching the biggest mackerel. It measured in at 24 inches and put on a drag screaming show. Tyler showed his talents by catching at least one of every fish caught that day. Way to go Ty.
Last half of March looks to be even better than the first. Water temps are on the rise and so is the action. White bait is showing up in the bays and it won't be long until it becomes the predators main food source.
Capt. Gary
www.allcatchcharters.com
