March is normally a windy month but if the past two months are any indication, red fishing will get better in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The last 2 months have been phenomenal for sight fishing schools of redfish. Most of the redfish have been in big schools and should remain that way throughout March. When coming up on a big school of fish this guide prefers 1/8 oz jig heads with a Wyze Guyz pearl white or glo paddle tails, live shrimp or Gulp shrimp works well. Little John’s Mirrolure in a glo color tied to 20# mono leader tied to 6-10 lb. braid will get bites. Most of the schools are out in the open on the drop off or edge of a flat. The black drum will be schooled up usually by drop-offs or on edges. Use a piece of shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head or freeline live shrimp to catch smaller black drum. To catch the larger ones, they are usually at the causeways or bridges – use a heavier jig head with a piece of blue crab. Side scan works great for fishing black drum.
March is always good in the ocean (near shore) if you can get out there. Look for tripletails on the buoys, free swimming or hanging under weed lines. This is also the time of the year when the rays come along the shoreline, look for the Cobia to follow them. For Cobia, throw a 1 ½ oz Cobia Buster with 40# mono leader on 20-30# braid. If they are finicky, you can try menhadens or croakers on a 4/0 hook. For the tripletail, if free swimming or on weed lines, use a 3/0 hook with 30# mono tied to 10- 15# braid so you are sight casting to these fish. For fishing tripletail on the buoys, use 40# leader with a 3/0 or 4/0 hook tied to 30 # braid with a small split shot. You might also have a chance to catch a Cobia around the buoys. Troy’s tip of the month – Regularly check wheel bearings on your boat trailer. It is one of the most important things to keep up with.
