Springtime - A Fishing Bonanza

Report Date: March 1, 2003

March & April showers bring May flowers and a whole bunch of good fishing! With bluebird skies, gentle breezes, good tides, the return of bait fish, and all the migrating species showing up, Son, now is the time to go fishing. March, April and May are good months to use those days of saved up sick leave, vacation time and personal days. Just remember to use plenty of high power sun screen so the folks back at the office/job won?t suspect anything. However, it might be hard to fool them, when they see that big smile on your face.

Along the Nature Coast of Crystal River and Homosassa, the flats and backcountry action has heated up. Water temps will be in the 70?s to low 80?s which is an excellent range for species like trout. Trout have moved onto the grass flats and can be caught in large numbers now. It's gator trout time! Most any method will work this month. Topwater lures such as the Mirrorlure Top Dog or Top Pup, the ol? reliable, Zara Spook, and even the new saltwater Rattlin? Chug Bug will take big spotted trout. Fishing live shrimp on 1/8 oz jig head under a Cajun Thunder cork with about 18 inches of fluorocarbon leader is a very good technique. A #5 or 6 fly rod using an imitation shrimp pattern or streamer will provide great action as well. We look for grass flats with ?sand spots? and use the drift and cast technique. Cast beyond the open areas with light tackle reels with 8 to 10 lb test, and work the lure or bait through them for strikes. Trout like to hang out on the fringe of open pockets and ambush prey as it passes. The flats off Crystal River, Homosassa and Chazzhowitzka are made up of miles and miles of these type flats.

Redfish have heated up, also.. Gold spoons, your favorite top water plug or a crab pattern/spoon fly on a fly rod bring good results this month. We work around rocky points, grass shorelines, oyster bars and rocks on an incoming tide to high tide for best results. Of course, a live pinfish, mud minnow, chub or shrimp will work great, too.
Reds are spooky in our neck of the woods. A good technique we use is to pole into an area quietly, ease out the anchor and slowly let out anchor rope to get into position. Then use a handful of shrimp pieces for chum and throw them into the area you want to fish. If the reds are there, this will hold them and often times get them to feeding. This is where a good ?bait thrower? comes in handy and keeps you from throwing your arm out.

Grouper fishing should be hot this month, too in depths of 40-60 feet. It should be ?off to the races? with calmer and warmer weather to head off shore. We look for good hard bottom and troll our favorite grouper plugs. March/April is prime for trolling for Grouper. On the way out, we keep an eye out for mud slicks and birds working over baitfish. Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and trout like to burrow down in the grass looking for shrimp and other bait this time of year. A mud slick is a dead give away. You can put on a spoon, jig or flashy bright bait with a wire leader and hold on. Be sure your drag is set correctly and you have good knots tied.

Big spawning sheepshead will remain on inshore rocks, artificial reefs and structures this month. A small sharp hook or jig head with a piece of shrimp, clam, or barnacle is used and remember the key to catching sheepshead is: set the hook just before they bite. Tsk, tsk.

Cobia, Sharks and Kings will appear in good numbers beginning this month. So any given day Captain Ed can put you on a bunch of different types of fish. So, take a day off the golf course, get with a couple of your buddies and book a trip with us. We guarantee you will catch fish and have a good time---or your money back!!

Until later?. May God bless our great country, our service folks overseas, our leaders and each of you. For one, I?m proud to be an American and will always wave Ol? Glory proudly.

And remember: Take a youngster fishing cause a child?s smile and a good day of fishing is the best medicine for what ails ya.

Captain Ed Lewis

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