Again, its transition time around the harbor, we’re heading into spring. The winter pattern of low tide sand hole fishing is about to change. We’ll still get to deal with the wind, but warmer air and water temperatures should begin to bring the bait in from offshore and the fish will get aggressive. It’s not unusual to see a good cold snap in March, but overall, it’s a big change from the past two months.
Typically, I like to pick up where I left off last month, working outside shorelines adjacent to backcountry creek systems. Out of Punta Gorda, I’ll work south from Alligator Creek down to Pirate Harbor and it’s not out of the question, working all the way down to Buzzard Bay in Matlacha. I’ll target snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout. At the top of the harbor, the north end of the west wall and the shorelines at the edge of the western entrance to the Myakka cutoff can also be good spring snook spots.
As scaled sardines or whitebait become more prevalent, I’ll match the prey and begin throwing larger baits. On fly, a 2/0 baitfish pattern like the Puglisi Peanut Butter in white and silver is good. With a spinning rod, I’ll break out my plugs and throw top water twitch baits. These baits float but suspend just under the surface as they’re worked back to the boat.
Towards the end of the month, it’s even possible to see some tarpon show up in the upper harbor. These are resident fish that come out of the rivers. Generally, April is prime for this bite, but if it’s warm enough, late March could be good. Cobia will also begin to appear around the bars that surround both the east and west walls. I like to pole or run the trolling motor down the outside edge and look for groups of cow nose rays, as it’s not unusual to find the cobia close behind. In addition, these bar structures also should still be holding some pompano. Hard bottom is the key and I’ve found them up and down both the east and west walls on any given day. I’ve also run into them inside Boca Grande Pass just across the intracoastal on the Cayo Costa side.
The sheepshead bite should still be strong anywhere there is structure. The Boca Grande and Placida trestles are very popular as is the artificial reef off Alligator Creek. On windy days, some live shrimp thrown up under any canal system dock can make for a good time. The Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte canals hold good numbers.
Until next month, good tides!
Captain Michael Manis is a U.S.G.C. Licensed captain and has been teaching the sport of fly and light tackle angling since 2002. He lives in Punta Gorda, Florida and can be reached at www.puntagordaflycharters.com