March is a spectacular fishing month. Everything is coming to life. Not only can you still catch winter fish like large sheepshead, but the flats and docks will be holding plenty of snook, trout and redfish, along with some Spanish mackerel showing up.
One of the great things about this month is the ability to sight-cast fish in the shallows of Tampa Bay’s flats, due to the clear water we typically have this time of year. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a large red or snook in shallow water and making the perfect cast while watching the fish turn to intercept your bait or lure. Then, at the last second, you see the rush of water and the explosive strike, where the water erupts, and the line comes tight. Then, the sound of the drag screaming and your adrenaline is flowing in excitement; but, is too much line going out? Your excitement turns into concern, and you must get that big fish’s head turned before it makes it to the mangroves or dock. Now the heart is pumping, so you lightly palm the spool to put just enough pressure to turn the fish, but not break the line! This might happen a few times, depending on the size of the fish. After a few close calls, you have the fish and your hands are shaking with excitement, because it is your new personal best fish! This is the rush from fishing that keeps us coming back.
March is one of those months that will give you many sight-fishing opportunities, so take advantage of this. This is also a great month to catch an inshore slam of snook, trout and redfish; which is what many Tampa Bay tournaments are.
If you are looking to pull off an inshore slam, there are a few things that can help you have an advantage; one of which is to plan your day around the tides of the day you can fish.
Now, of the three fish, redfish are more willing to eat during the slack or slow-moving water times. Of course, all fish bite better when you have water movement. Snook and trout can literally shut off during slack tide, so you must plan your day accordingly. So, if we have a high tide at noon, I will plan on catching my trout on the start of the incoming at the drop off of a grass flat where the fish are waiting for the water to come up. I would throw soft plastics like a sea shad on a 1/8-ounce jig head, in colors like chicken on a chain or electric chicken made by Saltwater Assassin. This will give you the ability to make long casts to cover more area to find the trout faster. Then, on the second half of the incoming, the redfish will follow the tide into the oyster mounds or grass flats and mangroves. Do not chase them–get set up where you can cast to these areas. The sea shad in chicken on a chain or live white bait or chunk bait is what I would use for them. Now, you can use the outgoing tide to concentrate on catching the snook to complete the slam. Look for funnel areas like mangrove points, cuts in the mangroves, smaller bridges or anywhere baitfish will be moved by the outgoing current. This will stack the snook up at what I call feeding stations or danger zones. Live baits like scaled sardines, pinfish or finger mullet are hard to beat.
Adjust your line and leader to where you are fishing; but, typically on the flats & docks, I run 10 to15-pound Fins Windtamer with 4 to5 feet of 20 to30-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and an Owner 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook. This would be on a 7-foot 6-inch medium fast rod in the 8 to17-pound range with a 3000 to 4000 sized reel.
Remember reel, reel, reel
Capt. George Hastick