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Snook fishing should be strong this month, particularly at night around lighted docks and bridge fenders in the Intracoastal Waterway. DOA Shrimp, CAL jigs with shad tails, and small white flies, such as the Grassett Snook Minnow, are typically effective, as glass minnows and shrimp are the predominant bait. Anglers using live bait should have success with free-lined shrimp. The best action is expected along shadow lines where light meets dark during strong tides.
In March, snook may also be found in rivers, creeks, and canals, but they will begin moving onto shallow flats, particularly on warm, sunny afternoons. Larger lures, including CAL jigs with jerk worms, CAL 4-inch Shad Tails, DOA Baitbusters, and the DOA PT soft plastic topwater lure, are recommended. Wide-profile flies, such as Clousers, Deceivers, and EP flies, can also be effective. As the water temperature rises, baitfish like pilchards will become more abundant and serve as excellent live bait.
Redfish activity should pick up as water temperatures rise and baitfish become more plentiful. Higher tides will allow redfish to feed in shallow water, making them more accessible. Look for them over shallow grass, along mangrove shorelines, and near oyster bars at high tide. During low tide, they are often found in potholes and along sandbars. North Sarasota Bay’s shallow flats are a prime location for redfish this month. A 1/16-ounce CAL jig with shad tails and jerk worms is useful for locating them, while fly anglers may find success with the Grassett Flats Minnow fly, fished on a 10- to 12-foot leader with a stiff butt section for optimal energy transfer.
Redfish may also be found around docks at low tide. Look for deep water under docks with good tidal flow for the best results. A free-lined live shrimp, a 1/8-ounce CAL jig with a shad tail or grub, or a weighted fly fished on a clear intermediate sink tip fly line with a six-foot leader should be effective.
Spotted seatrout can also be found in many of the same locations as redfish, particularly in areas where grass meets sand or in potholes on sandbars. Live bait anglers should have success free-lining shrimp in potholes or near docks. Recent seatrout regulations in Southwest Florida include a three-fish-per-person bag limit and a six-fish boat limit, with fish required to be between 15 and 19 inches, except for one per vessel over 19 inches. Larger trout, typically female breeders, play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy fishery. Full regulations can be found at myfwc.com.
On deep grass flats, anglers should find trout alongside Spanish mackerel, bluefish, flounder, and pompano. A series of drifts while casting CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos, or Ultra Hair Clouser flies on a clear intermediate sink tip fly line can help locate fish. Live bait anglers should do well using a live shrimp under a popping cork. Signs of activity such as diving birds, baitfish showering, or surface boils indicate feeding fish below. When mackerel and bluefish are present, using six inches of 40- to 60-pound fluorocarbon or wire as a leader may be necessary. Topwater plugs and fly poppers are also effective for attracting these species. Flounder may be found in sandy or muddy areas on both shallow and deep grass flats, as well as around docks. Pompano may reveal their location by skipping on the surface when boats pass by. The best action for pompano is expected over deep grass flats with a mix of grass and sand and strong tidal flow.
In the coastal Gulf, anglers may encounter Spanish and king mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), cobia, or tripletail. Terns diving or hovering over the water often indicate schools of Spanish mackerel or false albacore feeding on the surface. Live bait is a strong option, while spin anglers can use 1/4-ounce CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms, as well as topwater plugs. Fly anglers should find success with small white flies, such as the Grassett Snook Minnow or Ultra Hair Clouser, fished on an intermediate sink tip fly line.
Running crab trap lines at varying depths can help locate tripletail and cobia near crab trap floats. Tripletail are known to strike live shrimp, DOA Shrimp, or lightly weighted flies with weed guards. Cobia may be spotted swimming on the surface as they migrate north following warmer water and baitfish. DOA Baitbusters, PT lures, and large, wide-profile flies such as Deceivers or EP flies are solid choices. If fish are not seen on the surface, checking artificial reefs or natural hard-bottom areas may yield results, as these locations often hold baitfish and predators. Baitfish drifted over structure, DOA Baitbusters, or weighted flies on sink tip fly lines can be effective for targeting these species.
Conditions are usually good during March and fishing should heat up. Flats and night snook fishing are usually good options this month. I like to check the coastal gulf when conditions are good, since you could find something good happening there.
Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
