[dropcap]H[/dropcap]allelujah! We have made it through the winter and our spring fishing is finally getting underway. Warmer days have us all running around, finishing up projects and the fleet is getting back into swing. All we need is some good weather patterns to get out there and take advantage of the fishing offshore on the Crystal Coast.
There is always some occasional fishing to do over the winter, but March usually brings the beginning of our spring run. April has traditionally been the best time of year to get started offshore with runs of yellowfin tuna and some wahoo action, to boot. Yellowfin tuna fishing was what first grabbed my attention and kept me heading back offshore year after year, after spending a lot of my winters prepping my gear for the spring. Granted, the last few years have been pretty lean for tuna here, but they are still around if you are willing to make a longer run and can pick a good weather window. It seemed to me that we saw them more frequently last year, so I am optimistic that was a sign of even better fishing to come this year! As we progress through the month, the mahi run will begin to improve and the larger gaffers will get fantastic in May. As usual, you can still find an occasional billfish that will sneak into the spread as well.
There is still a lot of cooler water around in April but you can use that to your advantage to find some larger temperature breaks which should hold fish. I know I say this every month but it is what I believe…if you can find the right water over the right bait-holding structure, you will catch fish more often than not. Good bottom structure from 30-50 fathoms deep, temp breaks, weed lines and bait… find that location and you are set. Just doing the “same old thing” and running to fish the 90-foot drop and Big Rock is not going to be your most productive plan in the spring. Many times in the spring you may have to run up the beach a ways to find the best of the tuna bite but it is well worth it when you have five or six lines come tight and the reels start screaming! There are all kinds of “tricks” you will hear from folks to catch tuna. As usual, some work and some don’t. Personally, I find it hard to beat a good ol’ sea witch. That said, I really do like to use a daisy chain occasionally and I really like a spreader bar, especially for those times when you know they are there but you are not getting the bite. I usually begin with it on my short center to try and get multiple fish into the middle of the spread but will drop it way back on my shotgun to entice the finicky fish. I still swear there is no super-secret method, just find the right conditions and keep your eyes open…you will get them.
Get your gear and boat ready, watch the satellite shots for nice chunks of water moving into the area and then if the weather looks right get on out there and fill up your fish box. Be prepared for longer runs with cooler mornings and evenings and be aware of quick weather changes.
As always stay safe and get out there and have fun with the great spring offshore fishing on the Crystal Coast.