March in the Tampa Bay area denotes a fantastic transition for our favorite sport fish. Reds, trout, snook, flounder and a plethora of species are moving around our favorite waterways abundantly. You just have to be in the right place for their staging, know where they will be for the tide changes and position yourself with the proper lures in order to attract a strike.
The wind will play a major role in planning your inshore fishing trip, hence why we utilize kayaks to get into the skinny waterways where snook and reds tend to congregate. Mangroves provide great cover from the up and down wind gusts you’ll likely experience. So, take advantage of that by throwing a soft plastic shrimp or finger mullet pattern deep into the cuts to attract a hungry snook’s attention.
Topwater lures are also very productive for all of these fish, including trout, this time of year. Redfish are also lingering in the mangrove cuts, often sunning themselves on sandy bottoms and areas where grass and warm sandy potholes are available. Make sure to tighten your drag, for these fish know how to fight and where to run in the event you get one on your line. Line management and making sure you control the fight is imperative in these tight quarters; otherwise, you’ll be losing a ton of lures to the fish gods! If you take our advice, the results will be a mind-blowing fight! Remember to make sure a fish doesn’t pull you into the mangroves, or cut you off on a nearby oyster bed! You will be awarded by some aerial jumps, flops and cartwheels, digs and a screaming reel, until it’s subdued enough for you to finally hold for an epic photo!
Good vibes and tight lines always from your friends at Pure Florida Watersports.
Derick & Natalie