Spring is Here! (kind of)

With what appears to be a solid warming trend through the week, expect spring-like activity in our fish. Not that we won’t have another front or two sweep through, but I would not be surprised to settle into that solid spring pattern over the coming weeks. Near-coastal fishing will get increasingly better with more and more target game fish showing up week after week. Be on the lookout for massive schools and black drum, tripletail and the possibility of cobia popping up. Mellow winds and little swell should give way to some opportunity.

In the lagoons, look for the black drum schools to become even more prevalent than they have been. They are a spring spawning species and will be schooling to accomplish that goal. Look for them on the edges of bars and other features in 1-4ft. of water. Shrimp and crabs are both great natural baits and fly fishing for them can be an exciting way to score. Another spring spawning fish is the sea trout. Waiting for the full moons of spring, groups of mature male trout will shadow larger females. Flats near deeper holes will be best and get ready for this bite to take off. These fish will be looking to pack on pounds in preparation for the spawn. As a rule, I release all trout over 22.” It’s well known all trout over 24″ are females and should be carefully returned to the water. They have a job to do and that is to give us more trout.