We are rapidly approaching our most exciting fishing season of the year. Will March kick-off our spring patterns? I really do not know. March, to me, is like November. A transition month if you will, straddling the fence between traditional seasons and seasonal patterns.
If March weather conditions are stable we can expect to catch redfish, seatrout and black drum on virtually all types and styles of artificial lures. Live bait choices will grow to include not only shrimp, crabs and clams, but pinfish, finger mullet and possibly early running pilchards, greenies or pogies. Be aware most of the “whitebaits” will be small. Mullet could be any size and offering up a chunk from the bigger mullet will be quite effective.
If winter patterns continue we will be forced to fish where the winds allow us. Seek sheltered shorelines and the leeward sides of islands. Be aware our water levels are still on the low side and the fish are not always near the bank!
Schoolie seatrout are spreading across the Indian River flats. Look for spotted bottom areas in a foot and a half of water depth and drift or slow troll out to about four feet. My folks have been having great luck with two inch and three inch Sassy Shads on a light jighead. Once you start getting regular bites try to stay in that depth of water by anchoring, using your trolling motor or repositioning your boat and re-drifting the area. BTW, I regularly see boaters drift fishing over the very same water they just motored across. This usually results in few if any bites. Remember to turn your boat left or right of your track-line so you will drift over undisturbed water!
Big drum have invaded the North Indian River Lagoon, but are in a roaming mode. Be aware of the possibility of encountering these monsters along the deeper edges of the shallow flats. They especially like drop-off areas where sand bars parallel the shorelines or channels. Smaller drum are right up on the shallows with the redfish and gator trout. They will readily eat a live shrimp or shrimp imitation. I’ve been doing quite well with Exude Cajun Crabs and Exude Shrimp basic light colors switching to dark colors as necessary!