March Madness usually means basketball but, here in Tampa Bay, it means the snook bite is on. This month should be a great month of fishing, since February was pretty warm. This means spring should show up a little early. I love spring fishing. Bait is usually very prevalent on the flats and markers. It usually doesn’t take long to fill the live well full of frisky baits.
Red fishing, back in February, was very good in upper Tampa Bay past the Courtney Campbell and down around the South Shore. You should expect it to pick up all over Tampa Bay, as the water warms and more redfish come into the Bay from the Gulf to feed on all of our bait.
Again, since it was so warm in February, the snook fishing was very good and my prediction for March would be that it will be just as outstanding. My rig for snook fishing is a 7-foot 4-inch Bull Bay rod from the new Banshee series with a Shimano Stradic 3000 reel spooled with 15-pound braid, 20-pound fluorocarbon and a Gamakatsu 1/0 Nautilus light hook. This is my typical setup, and it works great for redfish, snook, sheepshead and trout.
You don’t have to have this exact set up, but I would suggest some type of 3000 reel and a good medium-fast to medium-extra-fast rod for your inshore fishing. I think you’ll find this is a good all-around style fishing rod.
Let’s talk about the bait stealers of Tampa Bay–the convict fish known as sheepshead. These fish can sometimes drive a fisherman crazy. The bite in February was outstanding, and I’m hoping it is in March, as well. All I can say is that if March is anything like it was last year, fishing wise, the fishing in Tampa Bay should be outstanding.
So, once you’ve finished reading this forecast for Tampa Bay, give yourself a game plan on what you’re going to fish for and how. Check out Google Earth and see where the drop offs are. Look for eddies and flats with lots of pot holes where trout, snook and redfish can lie and wait to ambush their prey. Also, ask your local tackle shops as to what’s happening in the area and see if they can point you in the right direction. Or, you could always hire a professional fishing captain to take you and your family or friends out. Tampa Bay has a lot to offer in March, so turn off the basketball, go wet a line and see what’s biting for you.
Tight Lines–Capt. John.
Capt. John Rivers operates Rivers to Bay Fishing Charters out of Tampa Bay and Tarpon Springs. With 18 years guiding experience and over 40 years of fishing knowledge, he can assure you a professional / fun fishing adventure. Single or multi boat trips available. www.tampabayinshoreguides.com
captjohnrivers@gmail.com
727-313-1781