For a lot of anglers, March kicks off the season.
When referring to freshwater across the Big Bend, Lake Talquin leads the listing. House to Largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, a number of species of catfish and a few of the largest bream you’ve ever seen.
Right here’s what to anticipate the remainder of this month.
Lake Talquin is a man-made physique of water, fed by the Ochlockonee river, created by a hydro-electric plant dam.
Lake Talquin is 10 miles lengthy, from dam what we name the mouth of the river main into the lake. This space can simply be accessed from Coe’s boat touchdown on the Leon County aspect.
The South finish of the lake, is the place the dam is positioned. Lake Talquin runs extra East to West, however everyone knows rivers run south. (apart from the St Johns in Palatka, FL however that is a narrative for an additional day.)
This yr could possibly be the yr one other file is shattered. Studies of double digit bass being caught and launched maintain coming in. Loads of meals within the lake to develop these Florida largemouth into tremendous Trophies. 13 kilos and up.
My largest thus far caught off a mattress is 12lbs. She ate a jig on the primary toss. Jig you say? YES! Top-of-the-line methods to catch massive bass is with a giant bait. Not solely will a giant jig get the eye of the bigger feminine, it’ll additionally intimidate the smaller males so the feminine has to step up and shield the nest.
Early to mid March might be nice for pre-spawn and spawning bass. North banks at the back of creeks or in pockets off the primary lake maintain bass first. They heat faster so therefore, bass relate. These areas are often laborious backside, with banks lined with lily pads. You’ll be able to all the time inform a more durable backside that manner.
Search baits like rattle traps, swimming worms and spinner baits, thrown off these edges is a wonderful method to discover pre-spawners. Particularly areas the place the water drops off simply outdoors the laborious edge. This is a perfect space, it offers fish the benefit of shifting in and out, up and right down to a cushty setting because the climate adjustments.
60 diploma water, solar stuffed days and full or new moon phases have nice impact on the spawn. Bass have been getting ready for this ritual since late 2021. As soon as aligned, bass migrate shortly to the banks to drop their eggs and the remainder is, nicely enjoyable for fishermen.
As fast as bass transfer to the financial institution, they will transfer proper again out to a degree, ledge or different cowl in deeper water. All it takes is a chilly entrance with nasty North winds. Mix that with a moon part and the large females are simpler to search out. These locations simply talked about, work them along with your favourite Carolina rigged bait, crank bait or jig. Carry heavy gear.
Not all bass you catch through the spring are largemouth. Throw a crank bait, Alabama rig or high water in a staging space and you might get a shock. Lake Talquin can be loaded with striped bass. These laborious pulling fish can recover from 20 kilos. My largest thus far out of the lake is 17.5 respectively.
There are various that particularly goal striped bass. In March, backs of spring fed creeks or under the dam after a heavy rain is the place you wish to be. Should you’re fishing within the lake, throw a Bomber lengthy A, Black/Gold. 1oz rattle traps additionally work nicely. Under the dam you might want to vary up techniques. Giant jigs, tipped with white tornado tails or mushy plastic shad our bodies labored on heavy sort out is a most popular methodology there.
Crappie are one other favourite species of selection in March. 25 fish per particular person is the creel restrict. 10″ is the dimensions restrict. FWC does a terrific job monitoring that. Fines for lawbreakers are hefty as they need to be. They’re in place for a cause. No have to take extra simply because they’re biting nicely that day.
Crappie will be caught fishing shallow for those attempting to mattress, or deep for these already carried out or shifting in. Minnows work great within the lily pads. Discover a college and you may undergo three dozen minnows in a rush. Skinny wire hooks and heavier than regular line might be wanted in these areas.
If it is trolling you like, lighter line is the way in which to go. 1/16th or 1/12th ozjigs with curly tails work nice. Mix that with a chunk of spherical result in get deeper and that is about all you want.
Whether or not it is bedding bass or bedding crappie you are after, the quieter you’re the higher off you may be not disturbing the fish. This implies do not throw a giant anchor overboard. There are a number of shallow water anchor poles in the marketplace. I like to recommend the Boatstick. It comes with it is personal fitted strap that simply attaches to any cleat, deal with, rail, trolling motor and so on. Domestically owned and made proper in Tallahassee, FL. Message me for particulars on the right way to get one or go to Boatsticks.com
Till subsequent month, be protected, have enjoyable and ALWAYS put on a life jacket whereas boating!
APALACHEE BAY
Otto Hough (myhometownfishing.com) says, ”Doggone it! All of us loved the superior springtime marine situations this previous weekend on into Tuesday, however Wednesday morning noticed Mom Nature raining on our collective fishing spirits. The frontal system that started pushing alongside the Forgotten Shoreline on throughout all of the waters of Big Bend elevated winds into NWS Small Craft Train Warning ranges midweek. These stiff winds related to the chilly entrance will linger into the weekend, relegating anglers to hold on the hill. It is not solely the winds which might be inflicting a case of “angler aggravation”, the forecast for close to, if not freezing air temps by Sunday morning will gradual the springtime chunk that had been warming up shortly to raise the thin water temps into the higher sixties.
“Radiational cooling related to the chilly nights predicted to reach by Saturday night time will start drawing water temps again down into the decrease sixties on into center of subsequent week earlier than warming returns. Fortuitously, it must be a fast return to springtime fishing situations after all of us train some persistence these three to 5 days forward. Then, be prepared for some tremendous nearshore fishing as we slide in direction of St. Patrick’s day.
“Given the poor marine situations within the present weekend marine forecast, it is a good time to get all of the little points with the boat resolved. Not solely is it time to get the boat shipshape, there’s now time to get “all” the trailer lights shining brightly and blinking too! Additionally, take an additional second to grease the hubs and test the trailer tires. Roadside trailer tire and hub points will not be enjoyable work tasks.
“So, for now, knock out the chores, then, merely chill on the hill.”
ST GEORGE ISLAND
Captain Russ Knapp (850-653-5072) stories, “Looks as if this occurs yearly — you assume it is Spring and THAN we get one final severe chilly entrance roaring in reminding us Mom Nature actually is in cost. My greatest recommendation for this weekend is keep dwelling and keep protected because the forecast has robust NW gale power winds Saturday and Sunday winds blowing 15 to 20 knots from the East with a excessive temperature of 56 F.
“Within the bay, fishing was good up till Tuesday when the primary of the 2 chilly fronts shut issues down. Capt. Dan Fortunas (850 980 0101) has been catching good keeper Reds and good numbers of Whiting within the Minimize with recent shrimp and minimize bait bringing the fish to your hook. On the excellent news/unhealthy information entrance Capt. Dan stories that the primary of the Catfish are exhibiting up and a big Bull Shark gave an angler a troublesome struggle this week that are each indicators Spring actually is coming. Capt. Jeremy Willoughby (850 323 0769) says the primary of the Pompano must be right here quickly because the water temperature is the bay is working near 70 levels which is simply what the they like so hold on issues are about to get quite a bit higher.
“That is clearly a weekend to not go offshore however within the calmer days earlier this week Capt. Clint Taylor’s (850 370 6631) charters did put some good Crimson Grouper within the boat fishing with reside baits on reside backside. While you’re catching your reside bait, Capt. Clint says hooking a small little bit of squid in your Sabiki hooks will tremendously enhance your catch.
“Tip of the week, this can be a terrific weekend to search out a big empty car parking zone and hone your trailer backing expertise earlier than you go to a crowded boat ramp.”
MEXICO BEACH
Captain Kevin Lanier, (KC Sportfishing 850-933-8804) stories, “It’s early spring, and the climate is altering. Feels like we’ve a minimum of yet another chilly snap coming however these must be ending quickly.
“Inshore fishing has slowed a bit and the shoals have picked up in our space. Look across the synthetic constructions, sea partitions, and buoys for fish. Dwell shrimp remains to be the most suitable choice. The chunk comes and goes all through the day so spend your time wanting and dealing areas
“Offshore has picked up as nicely. With the climate settling down, some persons are in a position to enterprise out. No Cobia sightings but however the Snapper and Grouper chunk has been good. Check the regs to see what you may maintain. Set off fish is open in our space, so we have to do our half to “Skinny the Herd” Fishing will solely enhance over the subsequent few weeks and the climate will even. Hope you all have an opportunity to get out and benefit from the space.”
KEATON BEACH
Captain Pat McGriff of One Extra Solid (onemorecast@gtcom.internet) says, “Trout fishing actually took off for the reason that weekend evidenced by two stories given to me first by Evan Snow of Apalachee Inshore charters who caught a stupendous Snook on a stickbait Tuesday, blended in with trout and reds. Evan mentioned “you can do no incorrect” and easily needed to forged to catch one. Kenny Mullins of Actual Epic charters had a wonderful day of fishing, additionally on Tuesday, with a catch that included a restrict of 15 trout for his purchasers. Kenny mentioned they caught and launched 21 trout over 21 inches and he reported catching trout “in every single place we stopped and forged” Kenny mentioned they had been throwing Murderer’s Watermelon Slice sample within the 5” shad bounced.
“I don’t count on that to carry up…..lol as Saturday morning will put a quietus on the trout for a number of days I’d suppose. Water temps had reached 77 levels by Tuesday; however will come crashing down with this entrance on the way in which.
“Final week Capt. Dave Malone and I had a terrific journey final Friday catching our restrict of ten, then C&R one other 20 – 25 keepers and 20 or so shorts whereas fishing Murderer’s Watermelon Slice, Watermelon Crimson in addition to Drunk Monkey 5” shads all fished un-weighted with a 5/zero worm hook. It lasted about 2 hours proper earlier than the excessive tide.”
FRESHWATER
Otto Hough, (myhometownfishing.com on FB) stories “Pretty much as good because it was on the Big Pond earlier this week, the identical held true on Lake Iamonia for bass and speckled perch, aka crappie anglers. The pre-spawn chunk was on hearth. Given the anticipated chilly nights starting Saturday, the bass spawn will take a pause for a handful of days until hotter springtime nights return later subsequent week shifting in direction of the complete moon. As soon as heat returns within the shallower lake areas, the spawn will hearth again up. Anglers tossing Zoom Speedvibes and related Bass Murderer worms have been having a lot success snookering a restrict of barbecue bass. Trolling the center and east finish of the lake for the specks has been a profitable method for the anglers concentrating on that species in Iamonia.”
LAKE SEMINOLE
Capt. Paul Tyre stories, “The Bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been excellent this month of February! As we enter into March,the Bass might be in full spawning mode. If coming to Lake Seminole in March, be sure you have mushy plastics and a few swim jigs in your sort out field.
“For the mushy plastics, lizards and senkos are a terrific selection. June bug and inexperienced pumpkin are the colours to carry. Fish these bait gradual across the flats in four to five toes of water.
“A swim jig is a really productive lure in March. My selection of a swim jig is the Untamed Sort out Punisher swim jig. It’s made with a quad bait keeper that holds the trailer on and can come by means of the quilt with ease. Attempt to imitate bluegill along with your shade of jig and trailer. Rod, reel and line are essential to get hook set with a swim jig. I want a quick gear-ratio reel and like 30lb Cortland Grasp Braid. With this bait, I like a bit of shorter rod, like a Temple Fork Outfitters 7’2” H Tactical Bass collection. It is a Heavy motion rod with a quick tip, however the tip is mushy sufficient to work the bait correctly, however has sufficient spine to get the large bass out of heavy cowl!
“The Crappie fishing on Lake Seminole has additionally been glorious. By way of February, the Crappie might be within the shallow staging areas nearer to their spawning areas and will be a few of the greatest Crappie fishing of the yr! Now we have had nice success utilizing a Panfishing Murderer 2” Curly Shad in any Shad shade rigged on a 1/16 ozcrappie jighead made by Bassassin.
“For an thrilling Lake Seminole Fishing Journey for Crappie and or Bass fishing, e mail us @lakeseminolefishingadventures@gmail.com or observe us on Instagram @Capt.paultyrefishing and Fb @lakeseminolefishingadventures! Give us a name at 850-264-7534 to test availability!”