By: Capt. Billy Norris
SW Florida is a unique paradise in that it’s one of the few places in the United States that allows anglers to fish year-round in warm, sunny conditions! Although we have had some chilly mornings, those days quickly warmed up once the sun rises. The pelagics returned, the reefs are lit up, and the backwater bite is excellent. Some favorites this time of year are kingfish, permit, cobia, snapper, grouper, snook and redfish
Nearshore, the water temperature dropped to the low 60s (about the coolest it gets here) which put the wintertime pattern in full swing. The mangrove snapper bite on the wrecks this past month was the best I’ve seen in a long time. Limiting out has been the norm, with most of the fish being larger individuals. In fact, snapper have been so big that we have been letting keeper snapper go because we know were going to get bigger ones! Smaller fish and an occasional larger individual will eat shrimp, but they are definitely a second-choice bait. I prefer to use either cut sardines/threadfins, or live pilchards. Chum heavy when fishing for snapper, and once the bite starts it’s “game on”. We also have been catching some nice cobia on the nearshore wrecks and reefs. In addition, we have pulled in some bigger redfish and snook. Another wintertime favorite, sheepshead, are on nearly every wreck and rockpile in the nearshore waters. Shrimp and other crustaceans are a must when targeting sheepshead. Now that the red tide is gone, the kingfish, spanish and little tunny have also returned to the local waters. Live bait or trolling is an effective means of targeting these pelagics.
Backwater snook, redfish, big jacks, and trout have all been biting. The water temperature is much cooler than the summer/fall, so targeting snook and reds on the bottom is a much better way to fish them than on a cork. The fish get more lethargic in the cooler water, so a slower moving bait on the bottom works better. Use a pinch weight or small slide sinker to keep the bait low and you will greatly increase your hookups. Trout have made a great comeback. Jigging the flats has produced great non-stop action. There are a lot of smaller fish, but also bigger specimens mixed in. In addition to trout, jigging the flats has also been producing some big pompano. There are also plenty of sizable sheepshead in the back this time of year. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, or any kind of structure. Remember, when fishing the backwaters this time of year you can run anywhere in the bay legally, even outside of the channel, but do so with respect for the environment. If the tide is lower, use the channel to avoid damaging the sea grass beds and prop scarring. The grass flats are essential to the bay’s health and a continued fishery in Estero Bay. March is here and we are right around the corner from spring which makes this month outstanding for fishing so get out on the water and catch some fish!
