Capt. Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
Things started to warm up in March, and the fishing improved along with it. Offshore fishing was still hampered by the grouper closure which will end on April 1 (everybody cheer!). Amberjack were caught consistently offshore and many people did nearshore trips to load up on Florida snapper and black sea bass. Sheepshead finally made an appearance, although the best is probably still to come. Inshore, the trout fishing was excellent in the shallows and deeper water, especially using the winter pattern of fishing very slowly with suspending artificial lures, live shrimp under popping corks, and jigs with GULP! tails fished slowly in deeper water up to 6 feet. The redfish bite was difficult early in the month but improved steadily throughout the month.
I had several nice trips this month, with Doug Fertig and Capt. Tommy Thompson. Although we made an effort to find some redfish, the winter trout bite was still going strong and we caught some large fish, most between 4 and 5.5 pounds.
April Fishing Forecast
The best thing about April is the opening of grouper season. Offshore boats will be heading out to find their best secret spots. But lots of other activity will be picking up. Inshore, the flats will start to fill up with pinfish and whitebait, and trout and redfish right behind them. Jigs and Gulp baits under popping corks or Cajun Thunder bobbers, topwater plugs, or gold spoons can score some excellent redfish and trout this month. Because of the late sheepshead season, it's likely there will be some large fish around offshore structure through the middle of the month. Live shrimp and finding the right structure can get you some excellent filets. Along with the rising temperatures, we'll be awaiting the arrival of the pelagics in our area. Be on the lookout for kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. Troll around offshore and nearshore sand bars that are holding baitfish pods with jigs and spoons to get some early Spanish action. Farther offshore, especially later in the month, look for large pods of pogies. Troll around these pods with larger jigs and diving plugs to snare some fine kingfish.
April and May are the big tournament months. This month the Steinhatchee Community Tournament takes place on April 10, with the weigh-in at the Sea Hag Marina. ( http://www.steinhatchee.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=1 )
Remember that you can get high-quality rods, reels, live shrimp and pinfish, dead bait and chum, and any tackle you need at the Ship's Store. Come see us at the Sea Hag.
And a few words from our guides:
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com, (352) 359-5902
The water temp is finally starting to rise and with that the fish are starting to move to the flats. I've been seeing plenty of bait on the flats now. Last week the trout were in water up to 15 ft.-deeper than I have ever had to fish for them. In the last couple of days they have started to move into shallower water (5-8 ft.) Won't be long now and they will be back in real shallow water. Live shrimp seems to be the best bait right now. Last 2 trips we caught limits in 5 to 8 ft. of water. Of course as the water gets a few degrees warmer, the pin fish will become active and that will pretty much end the use of live shrimp. We have caught a few on soft baits, including the Bass Assassin shad baits and Gulp shrimp. The pink and yellow colors are working best. March was a lion this year for sure. April looks to be fantastic. May will be better yet and with the rivers all flooding this summer will be the best ever for trout. Still have a couple days open for this spring and summer.
Capt. Tommy Thompson
(352) 284-1763
www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
All I can say is that March was one of the hardest fishing months I've had in years. We caught some nice trout, but reds were scarce and/or stunned by the cold water. However, as the water starts to warm up, caused by longer days and lots of April sunshine, expect to see the trout move off the rocky shorelines and onto the flats. It seems that the grass that is now showing signs of life (green, with some pinfish) is in 8 to 10-feet of water. Start your drifts there, and move towards shore as the day warms up. It's a long run to the north, but the big deep flats near the bird rack off Hagens Cove has been producing catches of keeper trout. I've been concentrating on the shallows, as my clients are usually happy to release just a few trophy trout rather than fill a box full of smaller ones.
I fished with Jim and Pat Wilson from Panama City on March 31st, probably the most comfortable fishing day since December. The water temperature ranged from 63 to 69-degrees and the westerly winds increased during the day. We spent the mornng and early afternoon tossing slow-sinking plugs over rocks to the south of the river, with no strikes. We did see a few spooky single redfish. Finally, at the top of the tide, mid-afternoon, Pat had a strike on a Heddon Swim 'n Image hard bait near the river mouth, and landed her largest trout ever. It was a 6-lb, 2-oz whopper and it won the 2010 Sea Hag March Trout Madness contest. Pat received a nice Sharkfin reel and Ugly Stik rod for her great effort!
My award-winning fishing guide book, The Saltwater Angler's Guide To Florida's Big Bend and Emerald Coast, might be a help to you if you spend lots of time at Steinhatchee (or anywhere from Chassahowitzka to Pensacola). It's got LOTS of secrets, tips and tricks, so don't forget to pick up a copy at the Sea Hag Ship's Store the next time you're at the marina. You can learn more about the book at www.saltwateranglersguide.com
If you're interested in a 'catch-and-release hunting for big fish' trip, please give me a call or check out my Web site, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy . And if you're interested in some more in-depth information about fishing Florida's Big Bend, take a look at my weekly Fishing4Cast on the Florida Sportsman Magazine Web site at http://www.floridasportsman.com/4cast/bb, the Florida Sportsman Big Bend Action Spotter column in each month's issue, or read my posts as the Gainesville Fishing Examiner.
Captain Scott Peters, Jr., www.captscottjr.com (352) 356-7502
Nothing like watching the flats come alive this time of year! There was a lot of action on the water the last weekend of the month. The trout are coming out of their winter areas and venturing out on the flats as the bait returns. It took a little longer this year with repetitive cold fronts and bad weather, but everything is changing as we speak! I had some good trips this month. Look for the month of April to bring many varieties of migratory species into our area, including Spanish mackerel, sand trout and cobia along with speckled trout. The Nine Mile Bank and Little Bank west of the river will be a good place to start. Redfish action this month will be great, as the reds will start to school up and start flashing! Locating the schools can be tricky. Try starting on the beginning of the incoming tide looking for bait and mullet dancing. In shallower water try using a 1/2 oz Johnson Gold spoon, or a Gulp shrimp on a 1/16 oz. jighead or weighted hook. My go- to trout rig this month will be the ol' Clackety Clack- a Cajun thunder with a 3" Berkley Gulp under it. Remember to be courteous to your fellow anglers, try not to cut in front of their drift, or pass by them on the side they are drifting on. It only takes a few seconds to go around. Thanks and I'll see ya on the water.
Captain Brian Smith, www.bigbendcharters.com
This week I can finally hear the creak of the barn door opening for another fishing season. I took time off my tackle-fixing bench to write a quick update. I'm getting ready and so should you. On April Fools Day, I'm going to be running as hard as I can to hug a grouper on a gaff. The bite is on! Frozen bait and live (if you can get them) are going to be hits on reefs 45' or better. I don't know about trolling, but I'm going to give it a whirl.
Florida snapper are best at 55' or better due to the cold water. Best bait? Try mini-marshmallows, squid or cut bait. The Florida snapper are running better than a pound apiece and there is no better eating unless hump-head black sea bass are your quarry. Go to forty feet or a bit more and bottom fish with anything that will stick to a hook. When they start coming up small, move to the next piece of hard bottom to gather some more.
Sheepshead are in, but take it easy on the 'big' girls. They carry the future, the genetics. It is better to be the smart man that lets her go, than the simple one who fishes with their stomach. Do you want your children to experience the fun you're having? We can govern ourselves or by our own greed, be governed. I believe, we are wiser than any bureaucrat. Plan on taking a fishing trip in April, it's going to be great!
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com (352) 498-0299
April is here and it is time to get down to business and catch some grouper. During a couple of trips for Florida snapper I did see a good bit of grouper activity in the 60' region and also caught some amberjack at the usual hang outs. For bait, live pinfish, frozen herring or something similar would work fine. The sheepshead have been hit or miss but they should still be around for awhile. As the water warms up we should also start to see some cobia and kings returning. Remember red snapper season opens June 1. I look forward to seeing you on the water soon.
