by Ron “The Pirate” Johnson
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]inter is now over and the sun shine just makes you smile. You gaze out at the pier jutting out across Biloxi Bay for the first time this spring, feels like a friend you haven’t seen in while. It’s time to load up and go fishing, its time, no it’s past time.
Spring for the rest of the world is defined by a particular date or ground hog’s shadow somewhere up north. Coastal anglers are not so much concerned with a particular date as we are water temperatures. Spring on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi is heralded by the return of white trout in large numbers not by a rodent living under the snow. Spring is here!
Redfish are moving back into the bays and bayous in good numbers. They are being taken in shallow water near structures, mostly pylons and sea walls. The bite is not fast but it has been consistent and some bull reds are being taken. Live shrimp is the bait of choice. If fishing for redfish is half as good this year as it was last then, it’s going to be a great year.
Speckled trout continue to be elusive but as April warms, I have been assured the
fishing will pick up. There are some reports now of speckled trout being caught but, honestly there few and far between- it’ll get better.
Sheepshead and black drum are still being taken off the sea walls and piers, the numbers have slowed somewhat. If you’re willing to put the effort into fishing for them your most likely going to pick up a few. It’s a double edged sword with these two species, the closer you get to the structure the greater your chances of success and greater your chances of getting hung up. Live shrimp for bait would be best but they will hit frozen shrimp.
White trout and ground mullet have moved back into the bay and appear to be in large numbers. Thin pieces of squid are the bait of choice. I would suggest moving locations until a school is located. White trout are lots of fun and fine dining. From here on out the fishing is only going to get better.
I’m Ron and I’m all about fishing.