[dropcap]M[/dropcap]arch is a transitional month getting us back on track for all southern game fish to start moving out of their cold water laziness and to begin feeding more aggressively. The snook bite should be good around all the bridges on the Treasure Coast and nothing beats live bait on a jig head fished near the pilings and underwater rubble. Get on a good tide, incoming or outgoing and stay up current flipping close to structure letting the bait roll with the current. Pay attention to the movement of the live bait because when itâs getting eyeballed by the predator, the bait will get nervous and start twitching. Wouldnât you? There is no denying a snook hit when sheâs hungry.
I like working the backwater mangrove points, shoreline roots and overhangs with a big topwater plug like a Skitterwalk or a D.O.A. BFL in the mullet pattern. Most of the action will be close to shore or near the edge of the drop off. The night bite for snook will be heating up with good action throwing First Lights jigs near all Treasure Coast bridges. Go slow and deep for best results.
Big trout love topwater plugs at first light on the grass flats and dock lines. D.O.A. Bait Busters shallow water series, Zara Spooks and Chug Bugs to name few, will all work. Approach the area in stealth mode working the plug all the way back. Live shrimp or pinfish on a popping cork is a sure bet for trout and reds. Stay alert for big fish âwaking upâ in the shallows as it might be a big snook sunny in the shallows.
The sheepshead bite has been excellent around the Inlet and deeper holes in the St. Lucie River using medium size shrimp on a jig head. Inside the inlet there has been a lot of bluefish, jacks and ladyfish riding the incoming tide back into the river. Not sure where all the pompano have been lately and to me it has been a slow season.
Itâs getting to be prime time for cobia on the wrecks and reefs so pick your day when the winds are calm, and bring a couple dozen live pilchards or mullet. Itâs best to deploy baits down and up to cover the water column.
Keep the waterways clean and wear your sunscreen.