Captain’s Corner: Mike Gore

We finally had a week without a cold front and this has allowed the water to warm up to 74 degrees. The fish had taken notice and has really turned on. With the warmer water and light winds, the bait is really starting to bunch up together. The bigger bait continues to stay deep and can found at the bridges and on most of the markers in Tampa Bay.

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. Look for areas that have glass minnows and white bait and work the edges of the flats. 

For snook, March is usually the turning point where the fish make their way out of the winter holes. With the water warming up, this transition is in full swing. Snook are everywhere right now.

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 on a 1/8 oz jig head. This tactic will almost always initiate a strike.