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March Offshore Gulf Fishing Forecast
By, Capt. Dave Pinkham
All up and down the west coast of Florida the
month of March always seems to usher in with it an abundance of high
expectations. As the weather and the water temperatures begin to
warm, the Gulf of Mexico should heat up with lots of fishing action.
This past winter was a warm one anyway, so I'm expecting March to
continue with the warmer than usual trend and usher in an early king
mackerel run. As this annual migration takes place, action out on
the gulf will get hot and heavy.
Each year at about this time give or take a couple of weeks, large
schools of bait fish usually start showing up offshore of the
coastline. With an ample food supply readily available many
different species of larger game fish will begin to make their
appearance on the spring stage.
Following is a March fishing forecast of the different species of
fish anglers along Florida's southwest coastline can expect to
encounter during March.
King mackerel also called kingfish should start their spring run
moving north up Florida's west coast over the next few weeks. As
this annual migration unfolds, some of the most exciting fishing
opportunities of the year will open up with plenty of fishing action
for all. Look for heavy concentrations of feeding kingfish in areas
where the bait schools are located.
Spanish mackerel the smaller cousin of the big kings should also be
making a good showing now that spring is at our doorstep. These
silver speedsters will hit most any moving bait when they are
actively feeding. Trolling or casting small silver spoons is a
proven technique for provoking mackerel into hitting.
Little tunny often show up just ahead of the mackerel schools as
they arrive chasing the migrating schools of bait fish. Also called
bonito, these small 10-pound class tuna offer excellent sport for
the light tackle angler.
Grouper fishing should bust wide open over the next few weeks as the
gag grouper continue to show up on area ledges and wrecks. Natural
baits fished at or near the bottom is a sure-fire method to catch
them. Another great way to hook into big gags is trolling large
lipped lures such as Mann's stretch-30. Remember that all grouper
must be released until the season reopens March 15th.
Mangrove snapper will be a good fill in until grouper season
re-opens. Mangrove snapper tend to hang around the wrecks and the
hard rocky bottom areas. Once again fishing with natural baits at or
near the bottom will produce mangroves. Gearing down to lighter
tackle can often mean the difference between catching these wary
fish or not.
Cobia fishing should start happening as schools of these migratory
fish move up the coastline. Often seen swimming at or near the
surface, cobia will normally charge a fresh live baitfish such as a
pinfish or threadfin sardine.
Blackfin tuna usually make a good showing about the same time as the
king mackerel do. These fish usually average 20 to 25 pounds, and
can make for one heck of an exciting cap to a good day of fishing.
When targeting blackfin tuna consider starting your quest at least
20 miles out on the gulf. Live bait fish drifted over significant
structure such as a shipwreck or spring will often produce blackfin
tuna.
Greater Amberjack will also be caught while fishing around the
deeper wrecks and springs during the month of March.
Obviously, the month of March is a great time for fishing out on the
Gulf of Mexico. If you're too busy to go fishing, you're just too
busy! Get out and go fishin cuz' it's good fer ya!
Capt. Dave Pinkham operates his offshore charter fishing boat Legacy
out of the Crow's Nest Marina and Restaurant in Venice. For
information on a fishing charter please call 941-473-4603, or check
www.charter-boatfishing.com
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