By Stephen Decoulos
This month is full of possibilities. March can be the transition into the spring weather patterns, or it can have a bunch more cold fronts pass through. Depending on what the weather pattern is, this will dictate what to fish for and where to go.
Offshore should really start to get good in March. The sailfish bite should continue to stay hot from Jupiter to Boca, in 80 to 120 feet of water. The dolphin should be in close after all of the easterly winds we get this month, sometimes inside 100 ft. Troll ballyhoo and/or squid for them. You can troll lures or skirts in front of them as well. I like to put out a nice mix and then zone in on what they seem to be most interested in.
There should be more Cobia starting to show up this month. Make sure you have a spinning rod rigged and ready with a cobia jig on it. You don’t want to get caught off guard if a few decided to visit.
Mackerel (cero, Spanish and king) will still be strong on the reefs. They will be showering all the schooled up ballyhoo. If you want to have some fun with them, anchor up in 40 to 80 feet of water and put out a ton of chum. Won’t be long till the ballyhoo show up and then the macks will start their show. Drift live ballyhoo or dead hoos back in the chum slick and get ready. Do NOT forget to use wire.
Inshore should start to get better than last month. The spring pompano should start showing up, and Spanish mack fishing should pick up as well. There are plenty of snook around the inlets and bridges. Live hand-picked shrimp is the ticket for snook this time of year. While fishing for snook, you’ll probably hook a few tarpon as well, so you might want to be prepared for that to happen!
For more detailed information or questions, come visit us at the shops and we’ll be happy to help you. As always, if you want to catch more fish, fish where the fish are.
Stephen Decoulos
Atlantic Bait & Tackle in Pompano Beach, FL
(954) 946-1040
Florida Native Bait & Tackle in Boynton Beach, FL
(561) 738-2246