by Capt. Brian Clancy
February had some beautiful fishing days, also some windy and cold, but the nice days were memorable. Big redfish started showing up. During March the water level rises. Some of the redfish schools break up and move out of their winter haunts. The redfish that have been so accessible (and visible) start moving along shorelines and it can take a keen eye and a bit searching to find them. If you fish the areas daily you can better track their movements. Soft baits, subsurface and topwater lures, even spoons can locate the reds if they’re holding in the deeper water. Live Shrimp rigged with split shot can also be a good redfish locating rig.
The warmer March waters also starts to bring the pinfish back into the lagoon so your shrimp can come back legless or worse if you fish it too slow. Live finger mullet is another way to go if you’re into bait. Instead of slow cruising the shorelines,stop, anchor up and toss a lively finger mullet downwind and let the mullet find the fish for you. Large trout, 5 pounds and up love live finger mullet. This month the reds also start getting up in the grass following the higher water levels while feeding on small crabs and grass shrimp. Poling, drifting and using a trolling motor at it’s slowest speed will get you in casting range of these wary reds feeding in shallow water. Stealth is key!
Enjoy the outdoors, get out and fish!
Capt. Brian Clancy
Mosquito Lagoon Fish Camp
Waterfront Accommodations and Fishing Charters
311 River Road, Oak Hill, Fl 32759
Visit Website www.mosquitolagoonfishcamp.com
Email bclancy1@cfl.rr.com
Cell, text and voicemail (386) 566-6303