March is a transition month for the northern gulf waters. That means spring is coming, but winter has not yet lost its grip. March can be windy and cold, but a flash of 70 plus degree days strung together, the fishing will come alive!
I have had great reports from the Lanark area in February, as trout and redfish are holding tight to shorelines. There should not be much change this month. Look for fish to fall to deeper water on the low tide and rise to the shallows on the high. ADL spoons and Mirrodines will catch both species.
Alligator Harbor is a great place to hide from the wind and the pattern is similar to Lanark. So make sure you check the bars off Sun N Surf Rd. They will hold reds and trout, with a few mixed flounder possible. If you find an oyster bar, anchor up and throw cut mullet. Sometimes it will produce fish when nothing else will.
Bald Point will also be a great place to fish in March. Ochlocknee Bay has miles of oyster bars and deep water adjacent. This is the perfect place to find hungry fish. Cut mullet, live shrimp, or bouncing jigs will catch fish. The south side of the bay, Chaires Creek area, should have a few reds and is a great place to start. February produced solid redfish reports from the creek and surrounding bars.
The Alligator Point beaches could remain quiet if temperatures stay down, but if the water temperatures start to creep back to the mid to upper sixties, lookout! This will trigger the return of baitfish to the beach, and that will then trigger the return of predator fish to the beach. So, look out for the first bait schools to hit Alligator Point this month. The pompano run will be very close behind. Mid-month can find pompano schools running Alligator Point to St George Island.
If all goes well, and we warm up fast in March, Dog Island reef will get blasted by Spanish mackerel and other pelagic predators returning from the south. The key will be the baitfish schools returning to the area. If you have not done so yet, it is time to get your gear together. Spring is coming!
If you need help finding the fish, call/text/email me at St. Marks Outfitters, we are booking trips and catching fish!
By Capt. Mike McNamara
St. Marks Outfitters
850-510-7919
redfish@stmarksoutfitters.com