[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ow that winter is behind us, if you could call that winter, it’s time to look forward to some steady dolphin, wahoo, and tuna action. Historically March has kind of been a slow month as far as offshore fishing goes, but over the last few years it has proven to be a pretty productive month. Local fishing for mahi mahi has been spectacular the last couple of years during March and I’m hoping this year’s going to be the same after experiencing a similar winter as last years. Releasing the females, along with males less than 10 pounds was common practice last early March and we’ve all got our fingers crossed that we’re going to see that action again this year. There has been a great run of blackfin tuna for the last few months too and I have a feeling that while venturing offshore you’re going to get the occasional blitz from them. Small feathers and strip baits work well, as do naked ballyhoo rigged with a small chain weight. March is also a good time to target wahoo as well. This is a good time to slowly start putting your circle hooks away and start switching back over to J-hooks and trolling ballyhoo with skirts and chugger heads. Jack up your trolling speed a bit and put a bait down using a cannon downrigger or a planner. It’s a good idea to rig this bait on wire and possibly even put a stinger hook on it since your main target species on this one are wahoo and kingfish. Something as simple as a spoon works well, but swimming mullet or ballyhoo with a skirt is an excellent choice too, especially when you’re out beyond 200 feet. March is also when the yellowfin tuna start showing up on the east side of the Gulf Stream. Twelve-hour day trips to the other side can produce crazy, action-packed trips of yellowfin tuna, dolphin, the occasional wahoo, along with the occasional blue marlin and white marlin. By using your radar to mark birds, this is a run and gun style of fishing. You can troll ballyhoo, diving plugs, cedar plugs, or bullet heads. However, you decide to approach that fishery, your trips can definitely be Off The Chain. Make sure you have your HMS permit and all your fishing licenses. Basically run to the east side of the stream and take it to the north. Use your radar to mark birds so you can fish around the action. Stay west of the EEZ. If you’ve never fished an east side trip, you definitely need to give me a call and set one up for this spring or summer. When these trips are on, it’s the best fishing experience you could ask for. Have a great March and I hope your next fishing adventure is Off The Chain!
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