HM Fishing Report 3-3-23

Snook fishing is going well as we see the water warm and more fish pushing out of the Back Bay area. Generally this time of year those snook get more active towards the grass flats, and mangrove shorelines as they push out of the Back Bay areas like creeks, river, mouths and bayous. Snook are now more fixated on some of that white bait action that we’re seeing improved drastically as water temperatures continue to rise. We’ve had a big warming trend and it looks like the cold front that was for this one weekend has now dissipated to the point where it won’t affect our area heavily. That means the warming trend will settle in and continue and likely pull even more snook out of the Back Bay as more white bait become available. Snook should be really active on this upcoming full moon. That full moon will make more moving water heavier moving currents and should make those bait fish get flushed in and out with the tide providing plenty of ambush points for those opportunistic snook to ambush passing bait. We’ve seen snook even make it back out to the passes like their summertime pattern. But most of the area the snook are just starting to come out of the Back Bay back to the grass flats and mangrove shorelines out of the residential canals and kind of setting up into that springtime pattern. 

Redfish action is going well around the area too; we’re seeing a lot of those red fish pull out of the residential canals and start starting to stack up more around grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster bars. They’re starting to transition away from their crustacean feed. Like the snook these fish are on the move; transitioning from that cooler weather pattern to that warmer water springtime pattern. We’re seeing more redfish action on the white bait and less of the dead cut bait soaking on the bottom but still plenty of action on the shrimp especially around those dock lines still plenty of red fish hanging out.

Trout action still going well around the area too where you find one you typically find more than one and they are definitely on the move like the snook and the red fish to a little bit deeper water as the water continues to warm. During the winter months trout get up on those shallow grass flats and spend a lot of time in shallower water. But as we move into spring they go a little deeper and they tend to spend more time in deeper water. We see the trout moving around dock lights and bridge this time of year and into summer. Trout love ambushing small pin fish along with shrimp.

 Pompano action is going well out on our beaches. The Johns pass jetty has provided Pompano action for quite a few anglers as of late. Pompano action is typically best in the early morning hours prior to the foot traffic or swimmer traffic picking up. Pompano also like sand fleas and live shrimp on the bottom. We’re seeing some lucky anglers catch the Pompano using the live shrimp. We also carry Frozen sand fleas that have been working well as well.

 Sheepshead action is still going extremely well throughout the area we’re seeing those sheepshead biting around virtually any dock pier bridge jetty or rock. Sheepshead really like cut oysters, cut clams, sand fleas, small pieces of shrimp and anything that’s small and close to the structure. Typically lighter tackle and minimal weight is a great way to target those sheepshead. Sheepshead should remain concentrated around docks, piers, bridges, jetties and virtually any hard structure through the next few weeks. But as water continues to warm we’ll see those sheepshead concentrations dwindle and they’ll start to spread out throughout the area.

 Mackerel have started to pick up inshore we’re starting to see a lot of mackerel around local fishing piers like the skyway fishing pier, the rod and reel pier and other area fishing Piers. Mackeral will also hang out on those deeper grass flats where faster moving water is holding white bait. Mackerel like deep fast moving water in any concentrations of live bait. Fast moving flashy lures also work well to attract the mackerel into feeding.