March 2016
By Neil Taylor and capmel.com kayak fishing staff contributors
Around the state:
Getting into March, we’ll still see some cooler conditions and probably some wind but overall “a general warming trend.” December through February held tougher weather conditions and colder air. When there were a few days of warmer conditions, the fishing went absolutely berserk, which will also be the case this month. The tides are pretty good this month, it’s time to get back in the kayak fishing game! The sun, a higher path through the sky: Everyone everywhere should be back in the game!
The Tampa Bay region–
Better tides arriving coming into the next great tidal span with a prediction of temperatures well into the 70’s all week will translate to great fishing. Redfish will start to get more predictable and join up in bigger numbers in their “normal locations”. Speckled trout will continue to dominate the overall scene. Some monster fish will be caught this month.
Spring Action is close! After that full moon period exited, so did whatever those fish were eating back behind the islands. As the next three groups I took found out, slower action may mean quality fish. In every single outing that was taken during that time around the new moon, the volume was about “one fish an hour” but these were great specimens that led to “the biggest trout” for literally each of these anglers. Some redfish were caught as well but trout are still dominating the flats scene and will until the water warms just a little more.
Sheepshead fishing probably doesn’t get any better than in the month right now. The kayak anglers would be wise to take along some shrimp, fiddler crabs or even frozen sand fleas just in case they encounter a great congregation of these very tasty fish. Looking like “lifelong cigarette smokers with no dental plan”, their human-like teeth are made for chewing on rocks. So that’s where you look for them. Keep those baits still down by the structure and set the hook when the line starts to move.
Don’t forget all the other options too: Silver trout, whiting, seabass and flounder will also be available. If the weather warms up and stays warm, the spanish mackerel will be easy. We have already been into them and they are BIG fish. Uncle Neil Teasers connected to just about anything = Mackerel.
Get out and hit it hard: The forecast is great and there are incredible fish in our waters! As always, be safe out there!
In the Southwest “Suncoast” area of Florida, Steve Gibson with Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing:
We expect excellent action on spotted seatrout
throughout the upcoming month. The fish should stack up in channels
and sand holes. They will be available for those fly fishing or using
spinning rods. Redfish activity could crank up on the flats — if the
weather cooperates. We look for decent snook action around dock
lights. Over deep grass, we look for spotted seatrout, ladyfish, jack
crevalle, bluefish , Spanish mackerel and maybe a few pompano. In
fresh water , Lake Manatee and the Manatee River should yield
bluegill, speckled perch, channel catfish and largemouth bass.
The East coast of Florida
The winter is trying to blow by us and spring is coming quickly for this year. Seatrout on the Indian River Lagoon will be starting to spawn and as long as the temperatures remain pretty constant and we have no more major drops in the mercury the seatrout spawn will produce some large trout for anglers. If the temperatures stay low, the spawn will just be later in the year and possibly come in April. Late winter and spring are great times to target a gator sized trout. Smaller to just over slot trout are quite abundant on the flats with a few gator trout being caught on the flats. Larger bull reds will become more elusive but can be found in smaller schools. Black drum will be harder to find as the water continues to warm through the spring. Snook will start to show as the weather continues to warm the water.
In the Big Bend of Florida’s Panhandle, Robert Baker at TnT Hideaway on the Wakulla River: http://www.tnthideaway.com/ . If you are going to be in Panama City, stop in and see Brad and his staff at Sunjammers: http://sunjammers.com/ . Smaller trout are being caught north of the burntmill creek bridge. Paddle tails fished very slow on the bottom seem to be doing the trick, SS Minnow (trimmed down) and the DOA cal’s seem to be top baits, both in white. Crooked Creek has been producing a few larger fish on live bait, be patient they are not feeding overly aggressive. Hot water canal is the sure bet for bigger fish but you must release everything caught in the canal. The flats outside Burntmill have LARGE school of slot redfish but they have been very spooky. Water temps here are in the mid to lower 50’s on the flats. Some trout and redfish are being caught in area rivers and creeks using subsurface lures like the Sabiel stick shad or 1/8 oz jig with a sugar and spice Gulp shrimp. On warmer days you may find schools of reds and trout warming up on the shallow flats around river and creek mouths.
In Northeast Florida: Redfish, trout, flounder and sheepshead top the list. It is time to shed a layer or two but always ready to dress for warmth and safety because winter may not be completely over. The indications are great for magnificent fishing around the NE FL sector. Great bait choices are jigs and Mirrolure plugs. Use big shrimp for sheepshead and drum.
In the greater South Florida area: The sun is heating up the fishing scene in South Florida. Without question, March is a great time to get back out if you took some time off. The offshore bite will be excellent for those with the right kayak for a deepwater outing. Flamingo and the ‘Glades will have just about everything you could dream of catching this month. Expect to do very well throughout the spring but do not miss out on the fun of March.
The tip of the month:
Fishing a tournament for the first time? At capmel.com, we wrote up some help for you with photographing your winning catch. Take a look at the article “Catch, Photo, Release Tournament Help”
http://www.capmel.com/catch-photo-release-tournament-help/
The 2016 Classic is on May 7. Get out and get ready. Get in on it and see if you will be one of this year’s “big winners”. This is an all lure, all amateur event. We will probably have over 200 participants this year. The divisions are: Open, No Motor, Ladies, Junior and Fly. There is a $5 buy-in for the bonus species (flounder) and a $10 buy-in for an overall pool, competing over all five divisions. It is the same format is has been for all six years: Longest trout, longest redfish: Grand prize for each division is the longest combined inches of one trout, one redfish.
Need help learning how to kayak fish? Hire one of our guides on staff for your region and take advantage of their knowledge and sharpen your own skills!
Get out and into the action but as always: Be careful out there!
Neil Taylor, www.capmel.com site administratorThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- The Neil Blog… - July 26, 2023
- The Catfish - July 26, 2023
- update - July 22, 2023
