Mar.
2010 - Fishing Report - By Captain
Stewart Ames.
The
winter that never ends is still hanging on. The first week of
March will deliver evening temperatures in the neighborhood
of forty degrees...but the end is in sight. March is always
the transition month where winter gives way to spring and this
year should be no different. Mid month is typically the time
when spring fishing goes off. Last year, that magic day was
March 12th. Early indications that improving fishing is on the
way were evident during the last week of February. On days were
the weather was "typical" for this time of year with mid day
temps approaching the high sixties, the trout bite caught fire.
Several trips yielded healthy double digit numbers of quality
sized fish. Fish responded to bobbered shrimp and pinfish but
also ate jigs. On days when the bite was a little slower, going
to a shrimp rigged with a small split shot would sometimes do
the job. By methodically hopping the shrimp back to the boat
along the bottom, strikes could be triggered from these sometime
lethargic fish.
Another
effective technique for catching really large trout right now
is fishing oyster bars on the higher phases of the tide. Take
a large shrimp on a #1 circle hook and cast it right to the
outer edge of the bar. Simply let this shrimp sit as any large
trout will usually find him if given a few minutes. You'll have
no trouble feeling the bump and the pull of these healthy fish
when they finally come across your shrimp. If there is a favorable
wind...one that will take your bait along a whole stretch of
the oyster bar...shallow bobber your shrimp for an equally effective
approach. Oyster bars will hold heat and these big trout, and
redfish, like coming up on them in the winter.
Redfish
are really the only other fish being actively targeted at this
time but this fishing has been highly unpredictable. Pre-front
days with good tides have been consistently good but beyond
this, there has been no solid pattern to finding feeding fish.
There are decent numbers of fish out there but they appear to
be moving a fair amount. Their movement may be explained by
the lack of food due to the unusually cold weather. Although
certain food sources such as crabs are still readily available,
they may have to search new areas each day after picking one
area clean. Whatever the case, the good news is that the fish
out there are of upper and over slot size and have even begun
to gather in larger sized schools. One week of solid temperatures
in the seventies should ignite these relatively unpressured
fish. Fish have continued to eat shrimp and pinfish on days
when they're cooperating. As mentioned last month, go with a
quiet presentation when fishing shallower areas using an unweighted
shrimp. Also consider using smaller hooks and lighter leader
in these situations as fish seem to be especially spooky right
now. Weighted cut pinfish is still effective when fishing up
under docks.
Based
on all of the above, for those of you who live locally or will
be in the area, get your gear ready to go because once that
first week of warm weather shows up, fishing should be off the
hook. Good luck and good fishing.
Captain
Stewart Ames - Gone Fishing Charters -
www.Tampa-Fishing-Charter.com 727-421-5291 - sames001@tampabay.rr.com
- Gone Fishing Charters, P.O. Box 541, Crystal Beach, Florida
34681.
