March or “March-inal” as I call it, is here, which means be ready for everything. March usually is a little choppy early in the month, but offers great opportunities on the days you can get out. As far as the trolling and live baiting goes for the pelagic fish, expect to still see some sails around along with improved dolphin action as the month progresses. From the bait schools on the beach, out to beyond Push Button Hill, focus your time around color changes, weed lines, bait schools and bottom contour. This time of year I usually pull smaller dredges and might even replace one with a squid chain. Dolphin seem to especially respond well to chain teasers, as do sailfish this time of year. I also speed up a little bit and incorporate a down-bait and a larger surface bait into my spread. It’s a good idea to rig the larger skirted baits on wire because there are some nice wahoo swimming around in the early spring. Keep your cobia rods ready with Cobia Slayers or RonZ lures. The manta rays have not been here in large numbers the last few years, but it seems like this year is a little better. Keep an eye out for leatherback sea turtles too, they will hold cobia often. If all else fails, try blind jigging on the wrecks and reefs in the 60-180 foot range or the Sand Pile. I’ve already seen lots of tarpon, permit and cobia on the beach and had great luck targeting all of them. The nearshore fishery should continue to improve into the late spring. Look for schools of big Jacks, tarpon and permit along the beaches, especially around the House of Refuge and the old Holiday Inn. If you see little rays or the spotted eagle rays that’s a good place to find everything. Target them with live crabs or large shrimp on jigs. These fish also will often respond to flies and other small artificial baits if you prefer to target them that way. Live baitfish or casting plugs work great for the jacks and tarpon too.
March also offers great bottom fishing. Lanes, mangroves, and muttons travel the shallow water reefs and anchoring up for the day can prove to be extremely productive. Fish on the bottom using leaders from 20 lb. to 50 lb. ranging in length from 5 to 50 feet with sardines, pieces of bonita, squid, or grunt plugs.