Inshore
Spring is here and that means longer days and warmer weather. Use topwater plugs at first
light and the last hour in the evening for snook, redfish, Jacks and trout on the shallow flats
around docks and the river banks. When the topwater bite is over try jerk baits or paddle tails
or live mullet, shrimp or mud minnow under a popping cork with a 2/0-3/0 hook depending on
the size of the bait. The flounder bite should pick up this month in the creeks and flats, use a
live mud-minnow or mullet on a ¼ oz jig head or your favorite paddle tail or jerk bait.
Surf and Inlet
This month can be good for surf anglers with the pompano, whiting and bluefish migrating, try
gotcha plugs for the blue fish and Spanish mackerel and pompano rig with shrimp, sandfleas or
clams for the pompano and whiting. Redfish and flounder bite should be really good at the inlet
this month on the turning of the tides. Fish a live mullet, shrimp or mud minnow on a ½ oz jig
head depending on how fast the water is moving or try a knocker rig. The sheepshead bite can
still be good this month, use fiddler crabs around the rocks.
Offshore
March can be a good month for the kingfish and cobia off the beaches. Look for diving birds,
bait and color change in the water and troll your favorite trolling lures or rigged ballyhoo for the
kingfish. If you can find the big manta rays there’s a good chance cobia can be following them.
You can throw bucktail jigs or big paddle tails for them or any live bait you can get a hold of.
Tight lines and be safe out there!
Capt. Tim Jarvis