March winds backed off for the week of the full moon and we enjoyed some good fish catching. It was not consistent but that comes now. We caught Snook, Redfish, Trout, Mackerel, Cobia, Pompano, Permit, and saw Tarpon and more. The waters warmed up and fish appeared out of nowhere to please anglers and a hungry fishing industry. I don’t know how solid the economic recovery is, but I am sure we have plenty of fishing opportunities to keep your mind occupied with happy thoughts, so grab your pole and go fishing. It was so frustrating fishing in cold winter waters, but that’s over. Water temps are already well into the seventies. Summer may come fast, and dry conditions mean clear waters. Snook started to bite mid-March.

Redfish and Trout action is picking up and they are all together some days. Spanish and King Mackerel are already showing up and will peak in April around Boca Grande and then on to the Tampa Bay area. Pompano and Permit have teased us and are picking up every moon phase. Cobia and Tripletail are passing by now and should provide action for at least a month. Sharks are moving through if you want really big fish. We have enjoyed some warm sunny days, our inside waters have warmed up. The Snook are biting along with some nice Redfish and Trout. White bait is starting to drop in; it’s hard to find and catch. But gamefish fish are looking for the minnows. Thirty years of cast netting minnows really helps in times like these. Captain Van’s Magic Chum, distributed by Baitmasters of St. Pete, really calls ‘em in for me. Try cat food or something else if you like, but you owe it to yourself to try my chum; it works! Shameless plug, but it works.

When minnows are hard to find it helps to have a strong fishy attractant to congregate and pull bait within cast net range. Take your time and let ‘em gather; it means fewer throws of your net. The slimy “snot grass” algae is bad so I don’t want to pull these heavy nets any extra times, especially as I get older. Look close at minnow sizes because some of the minnows are tiny and will gill in ¾ inch mesh. If this happens to you it will be crystal clear why I am trying to warn you about the wrong size mesh on bait. Minnows are work but they can produce the easy fishing when you get em. If you don’t have the baitwell system to hold minnows don’t bother. Lure are great; you just need to learn how to work ‘em. Snook are scattered from the rivers throughout the bays and harbor. They are not going crazy all day but we are getting some active rally bites. We had over twenty Snook including a 29 inch dinner fish Saturday the 14th. Jamie Rutherford of Orlando landed our keeper. She and her family landed over twenty Snook and a nice Trout on one bite with minnows. Another angler next to us got a goose egg on shrimp.

It is beginning to turn on. We had a slot Snook every trip from the 10–15th — all 28–29 inch fish, and miles apart every time. Some are at creek mouths and others around docks. Fish are scattered and moving every day. Please handle over and under slot release fish carefully; they are next year’s meals. Dolphins are a nightmare in some spots; you just have to move on. They will never leave if you catch Snook and release them for Flipper lunches! Personally, all I use are circle hooks except on Mackerel. Save any fish we can. I hate to catch fish with leaders sticking out of their throats. We are catching a few nice Reds and Trout every trip also. Not red hot yet but turning on, and it will continue as temps warm up. Most Reds are slot but some over sized bulls; we had fish to thirty-two inches recently. Trout are fat and from legal to 22 inches. Specks are spawning, so release any you can’t eat fresh, please. The Pompano and Permit are playing with us some days but should continue to pick up through at least April, maybe into May. Custom metal Pompano jigs are the ticket here; tip them with fresh shrimp. We catch Macks, Whiting, and plenty of fun fish like this, too. Outside Gulf temps about to the magic sixty-eight degree mark. Kings have been spotted but not hot yet. Captain Travis Ormond of Stump Pass Marina had the first one I’ve seen on the 15th while Snapper fishing off shore.

We did enjoy some hot Spanish action last week. Small minnows are perfect but lures and spoon catch tons of Macks. Some Cobia, Tipletail, and even a few Permit are available if you have the patience to stalk ‘em. We were catching a few Pompano, but it did slow down after the full moon. I expect golden nuggets to crank up as we near the new moon on the twenty-sixth and next full moon. Some Sheepshead are still holding locally but it’s winding down now and many are smaller. We saw a few Tarpon last Tuesday but I hear reports that a few are being caught by dedicated captains fishing to the south. Fishing is fine and it looks like some windy cloudy conditions through March, but no cold weather in the forecasts. Let’s go fishin’ soon! Get your reservation now and don’t miss out of the Spring action! Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard Past President of Florida Guides Association and Winner of 1999 Mote Marine Award info@captvan.com