Whiteys Fishing Report
March 2010
Looks like winter is slowly relaxing its grip on us here along the central Florida coast. With a few warm days here and there, the fishing really should pick up.
Fishing overall has been the best right around Sebastian Inlet. Good numbers of black drum and sheepshead are being caught off the north jetty. Clams are the best bet for the black drum and shrimp and fiddler crabs for the sheepshead. Lots of blue fish are moving in and out of the inlet. Silver spoons in the 2-3 oz. range will work as well as any lipped diving plug, or flashy silver jig. Try fishing on the outgoing tides for the most action right now.
The flounder are starting to return from offshore and settle back into the river on the incoming tides. They are very lean right now and most of the legal size fish look too small to keep. The females have spawned offshore and it will take most of the spring for them to bulk back up. Live shrimp and finger mullet are the best when fished from the catwalks or along the rocks on the south side of the inlet.
Scattered numbers of pompano have been caught right around the inlet and the beaches. Sand fleas are still very scarce along the beach, so put the rake away, grab some frozen fleas, shrimp or live clams to use as bait. The pompano have been small and most of the fish are not a legal size. Hopefully the larger fish will show up soon as they begin their migration back north. Large whiting have been a tasty by-catch for surf fisherman over the last few weeks.
River fishing has been slow for all other species except the spotted sea trout. The trout seem to be the most active in the cooler water temperatures. As the waters begin to warm up this month, it should help bring the other species out of their winter haunts. Large schools of snook are hiding out in marinas and deep water canals. Look for most of the snook and some of the reds to be warming up in the afternoons on shallow mud flats. The mud holds the heat of the sum and with cooler nights still prevailing, the fish are seeking the warmth for survival.
As far as an offshore report for this month…. All I can say is COBIA! March is the month that all of us sight fisherman have been waiting for. A few early reports of cobia and manta rays have already been reported so hopefully the weather will cooperate and give us calm blue skies. Schools of cobia have been swimming up to the boats fishing along the Bethel ledges. Also look for free swimmers up on the surface as you run back home in the evenings. Bucktails tipped with squid or an eel tail will lure any cobia in for a bite. Soft plastics, large shrimp and live baits will also get a second look from some of the more educated fish. As usual Whitey’s will be holding our annual Cobia tournament so don’t forget to stop in to sign up.
Kingfish have been around the offshore bars for anglers live baiting the reefs. There has been reports of good dolphin and wahoo action in anywhere to 150ft. to 300ft. Amberjack are hanging out on the deeper wrecks 200-300ft. of water. Deep jigging is the key when live or frozen bait is not working.
Winter cannot last forever and the next thing we know, the hot and humid summer days will be back. As usual stop by Whitey’s for all the latest action and up to date reports. Tight Lines!
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
captstovall@whiteysonline.com
www.whiteysonline.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment