Transition time is upon us. Winter is in the rearview and spring promises to be a quick visitor, as it’s already feeling a little summer-ish. So let’s review what that means for us fisher people.
Mackerels will be on the way out. There are still some kings and Spanish lingering in the gulf, and a few ceros on the reef, but they’ll continue to thin out as the water warms. Mangrove snapper in the grassy areas of the bay should linger in those areas for a few more months though, until it gets too warm or the summer spawn calls. Lush grass, chum, shrimp, cut ballyhoo and cut pinfish on a fish finder rig with 15- to 20-pound leader is the deal.
Look for tarpon to start showing up also. There are already a few around some of the bridges, all the way to the Everglades. Afternoon and evening is best after the water temperature gets north of 75 degrees. Frisky mullet, pinfish or any white bait is your best bet. Forty- to 60-pound fluorocarbon and a circle hook is the setup of choice. It’s still early and will not be getting better.
If you’re thinking of blue water, be warned: The current is ROLLING out there right now. Deep dropping may prove difficult. I haven’t heard anything good about tuna at the humps (I know), so find an edge where the water turns from green to blue and stick on that, or go look for birds. There have been a few mahi caught this week.
There are also some sailfish coming through. Kites and live baits are getting it done, but drifting quality live baits on the surface is also effective. If you’ve never done it and sailfish is on your bucket list, you might want to call in a pro.
This is also the time of year that bluefin tuna start migrating through our area. Black-back beauties from 300 to 700 pounds have been seen traveling west in 40 to 200 feet of water. It’s not easy, but you can catch one with the right bait and rig.
I get excited just thinking about that….
To book a trip with Captain Nick and Noreaster Sportfishing, call 508-769-4189.
