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March/April Fishing Forecast
Fishing up and down the Florida Keys chain during the 2004/05 winter
season has been as good as advertised. For all the environmentalists who
want you to believe our fi sheries are decaying and multiple species are on
the brink of extinction, I just don’t see it. Even with the increased fi shing
pressure you still can’t squeeze the life out of our rock solid stocks.
From Key Largo to Key West visitors expected another great sailfi sh season,
and boy did they get it! Some day’s clients paid dearly as charter
boats crept out of protected harbors and marinas into the teeth of thirty
knot winds, but the snooters didn’t care. Tons of spindlebeaks were riled
and willing to scavenge, quickly making short work of any lively ‘hoos
and gogs in their paths. Man I love the snap of a rigger clip!
The line screams tight and the distinctive music of
a raging clicker is awesome. It just doesn’t
get any better!
Not only was the sailfish bite on fire, solid
stocks coupled with fair conditions
equaled impressive
bottom
catches. I believe
anglers landed
more big grouper and
slob mutton snapper then in
years past. Is it some kind of
miracle that suddenly rejuvenated
the growth and population
of these deep dwelling
creatures? Or maybe it’s
the results of the non-discriminative
killing machines known as fi sh traps being banned for quite
some time now. Often lost and strewn on the bottom, fi sh traps have been
known to kill and keep killing for years to come.
It’s also my belief since the net ban the reef system throughout the Keys
has gone absolutely wild. We should also take into consideration all the
hard work professional and recreational fi shermen have put forth, successfully
releasing undersize or un-needed fi sh. For instance, look at the
abundance of tarpon, sailfi sh, bonefi sh and swordfish, all populations
that have really benefi
ted from conservation
minded anglers. Keep
up the good work folks,
its working!
Unfortunately all good
things must come to
an end, at least for the
time being that is. I’m
talking about another
banner winter season
that’s slowly coming to
a close. I’m not saying
you can’t entice a stubborn
sail into
catching air
at any time of
year, though
the upcoming
summer
m o n t h s
m a y
n o t
be as productive as you would like. So what do offshore anglers throughout
the Keys gear up for in March and April? Blackfi ns and Skipjacks!
Out in the deep blue, during the early spring blackfi n and skipjack tuna
congregate around humps and large wrecks. These bullet shaped footballs
zip around inhaling small baitfi sh and squid. When herring, sardines
and other baitfi sh congregate into dense bait-balls, tuna swarm and
go absolutely ballistic in full-on feeding frenzies.
In order to catch these lighting fast pelagic predators adapt your techniques
to what they’re gorging on. You know, the match-the-hatch philosophy.
Suppose three to four inch fl yers are scattering in every direction. Then trolling
lures resembling small fl ying fi sh will probably be most productive. I also like
squid skirts with Mylar inserts; black with silver does well for me though having
several patterns to choose from is always a good idea. If all else fails break
out the black worms. However silly it may sound trolling small sand eel imitations
is a dynamite technique for connecting with these speed demons!
It’s almost a guarantee that a few big dogs will be hanging around these migratory
tuna as well. You know we’re not the only ones who enjoy sushi. Super
predators like wahoo, marlin and a variety of sharks keep all species of tuna at
the top of their food chain. Even kings and ‘cudas are quick enough to wrangle
them.
Don’t overlook bottom fi sh during the months of March and April on the
offshore humps and deep water wrecks. Giant amberjack and huge grou-per occupying structure where tuna play above can easily be baited with small blackfi n or bullet
skippies. When these large fi sh group tightly together live runners or goggle-eyes dropped down
will also have a life expectancy of about 30 seconds that is if they don’t get wolfed on the ride
down. These bottom species are extremely powerful so make sure you eat your Wheaties!
Keep in mind the Gulf Stream currents are hunting highways. Pelagic game fi sh funnel into the ‘Stream as
they migrate. Expect springtime dolphin to show up at any time so keep a close eye out for bird activity and
floating debris.
If there is an early run of dolphin odds are large gaffers will be mixed in the batch. A pack of 15
to 20lb. high jumping, colorful dolphin will defi nitely make your day while running & gunning
the offshore waters. Oh one last thing. On most occasions you won’t need to venture too far off
to fi nd life. Focus on 200 to 500ft. of water and you should do just fi ne.
If you enjoy reef fi shing for sport or food, then you’re in luck. Spring time is snapper time! Muttons
in particular will be especially hungry as they engage in their annual spawning rituals. Close
cousins of the red snapper, muttons can be found everywhere from 300ft. to as shallow as 3ft.,
though they always seem to meet somewhere
in the middle during mating season. Normally
muttons are shy creatures existing on their own,
easily spooked and weary of sharks and divers or
any type of threat. That’s one reason long leaders
in excess of 10ft. are the norm. Even the slight
bounce of a 4 ounce egg sinker will send a big
mutton running for cover. When their spawning
cycle coincides with the full moon, these guys
and gals enjoy eating as much as they enjoy
mingling.
This is the part of the fi shing forecast where I
stress the importance of a quality color scope.
Spawning muttons will stake out a piece of
high profi le reef bottom to set up shop. A
great way to fi nd these tasty fi sh is by cruising
around reef and wreck edges while keeping
one eye peeled on the bottom machine. Try
starting your search in 130 to 140ft. Head out
with the intention of locating attractive structure
rather than just guessing. If you put in the
time, chances are your fi sh box or cooler won’t
be empty for long.
An occasional grouper or African pompano may
be caught while mutton fi shing too. And how about
lemon fi sh! That’s just a fancy name for cobia.
These pack hunters are usually targeted between
Hawk’s Channel and the edge of the reef though
they are also commonly taken up and down the
entire bay side. By utilizing the height advantage of a tuna tower or even a poling platform,
cobia can often be spotted in clean water trailing rays. Live grunts and
pinfi sh work great for cobia and if you happen to be lean on livies, an alternative
large bucktail with a curly wiffl e tail will do the trick. Oh, I almost
forgot about those darn yellowtails. Yellowtail snapper fi shing can be done
year round. The most consistent catches will be made in 45 to 80ft. but the
rule is fairly simple. The deeper you fi sh, the bigger they get.
If nothing we talked about sparks your interest then you may want to
try on some wahoo tackle for size. Wire rigged ballyhoo are a common
choice. Naked `hoos should do pretty good though my favorite rig is
a ballyhoo dressed in a black/red Hawaiian-Eye. Dark colored Billy
Baits and sea witches are also productive. Make sure your trolling
speed is at least 9 to 12 knots and double check your drags.
WAHOO!
Looking inshore for a moment, springtime is great. Warming water
temperatures insure that light tackle anglers will fi nd plenty to keep
them busy. During spring permit are one of the best fi sh to hunt. Oceanside
fl ats are ideal places to locate these broad sided bruisers.
Permit are crab eaters and quite spooky in the shallows but not totally unapproachable.
Deeper rock piles and wrecks on both sides of the island chain
also hold permit and may be easier to fi sh. Plus these thick-lipped guys won’t
feel you sneaking up in the deeper water and will likely blast your wiggly
crab. Man these fi sh are strong!
Another round fi sh that is full of vigor are crevalles. These marauders are
probably about the most tenacious creatures that swim. Channels and bridges
where mullet and pilchards funnel through are stomping grounds for these
yellow-edged jacks. If we had piranhas in South Florida, they would be jack
crevalles. There is no wrong or right bait to hook these guys. From top-water
to swimming baits right on through the entire gamut of live bait, jacks won’t
discriminate and will punish just about anything that moves.
Since we’re on the subject of inshore fl ats, bonefi sh will be settling in and
readily available to be stalked. Hard bottom, muddy bottom or even wellgroomed
grass fl ats will deliver. These shiny ghosts will test your emotions as
well as your tackle. The perfect weapon is a defenseless shrimp affi xed on a
small circle hook. Toss the bait in front of traveling packs and don’t move it.
Trust me, they’ll fi nd it! Make sure your spool is packed with fresh line, you’ll
need it! If the bones are scarce, look for bonnethead sharks to fi ll in the gaps.
They’ll keep your casting skills sharp and are tons of fun on light tackle.
It may be too early to predict but let’s not forget about the notorious silver
kings. I know, why even bother with tarpon so early in the season? Why not?
Resident fi sh are always here and can be cooperative at night around the many
Keys bridges. Plus who says some of the big guys won’t show up early. If the
weather is nice and the water temps warm up, it’s always a possibility. They
don’t call them kings for nothing. Looking to the west…
My favorite fi sh to pursue in the Everglades backcountry are beloved linesiders.
These awesome fi sh can be caught annually; however springtime is the
best time for consistent snookin’. As the season progresses expect summer
time spawners to take up early residency in most shady creek mouths and
rivers. Snook will actually work their way all the way into brackish water,
especially when baitfi sh migrate deeper into the secluded bays and estuaries.
Stick-baits resembling fi nger mullet will get walloped in the tannic water and
gold and black backed lures are always a good bet. The fl ats however are my
favorite area for pulling on these big-mouthed predators. Hank Brown jigs
and jerk-baits are perfect for working potholes. Berkley’s new gulp shrimp
are another tantalizing treat. Try some ultra light tackle on the flats and tell
me what you think.
Pop the cork…….
I am not referring to guzzling back some bubbly for that special occasion;
I am talking about whipping some sea trout. Mudded portions of the Everglades
where sea grass carpets the bay bottom hold endless supplies of
speckled trout. This easy yet busy fi shing style can produce fun catches of
trout, ladyfi sh, jacks and pompano. Your typical concave popping cork and
shrimp combo will do the trick. For a different noise, tie on a Cajun Thunder.
Let the games begin!
As you know redfi sh are another exciting and tough fi sh to angle. You can
catch up to these tailing fi sh in numerous locations, especially throughout the
shallow fl ats as they grub for crabs and shrimp laying dormant in the slack
tide pockets and depressions. Redfi sh are also known to hug tight to mangrove
lined keys. Regardless of where you locate them, redfi sh will teach
you how to have fun on the water. Whether sighting them in clear water or
working them in stained murky stuff, they defi nitely put smiles on faces!
Both tripletail and cobia can be found Gulf side. Outside the Everglades
National Park boundary, the trap buoys and steel eye beam markers hold
fi sh. It’s worth the fuel to run around and scope out an assortment of these
structure. Either species provide tasty morsels. A hint is to stay far enough
away as you don’t want to spook them off. Crabs and shrimp are my choice
for either though very rarely will a cobia ignore a live pinfi sh.
While we’re talking about inshore fi shing, let’s not forget about those delicious and spirited
mangrove snapper.
Try drifting
live shrimp
under overhanging
branches and
logs. Creeks support
schooling
snapper too. The
key is to look
for creeks with
tidal movement.
Mangrove snapper
have ferocious
appetites, especially
when any sort of chum is involved.
Oily slicks help flair their nostrils
and quickly point them toward your chunk
and strip baits. Remember this though; live baits that
drive mangroves Without further our friends out in the deep, dark blue. Swordfi sh continue to make a
healthy comeback. Stealthy and maneuverable, under the cover of darkness
broadbills visit the upper echelons of the water column to fulfi ll their hungry
cravings. Snacking on tuna, mackerel and squid out in the Gulf Stream,
swordies will be lured to your hook baits with the help of chemical or battery
operated glow-lights. A live blue runner and sharp hook is a recipe for
success. Swordfi sh tackle can vary from 30 to 130lb. gear but remember
conditions are always changing out there in the 800 to 1500 foot depths.
Granted lighter tackle may be fun for swords under a hundred pounds, but
a 300lb. sword will tear your heart out on even the heaviest gear. Do what
you think is right, but always be cautious. Remind yourself that big game
fi shing is a full contact sport with many things to stay aware and clear of.
Have fun and enjoy all the wonderful opportunities that fi shing
in the fabulous Florida Keys has to offer. Good luck and
keep up the good work!
PS: email me your fish stories at CapGeorg@Terranova.net.
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