Everglades City
by Captain Mike Merritt
March sure has lived up to its reputation of being the windy month! We had a week of low winds then it kicked back into high gear. Not only that but the water temps stayed down with the cooler days we had. This made for some tough days on the water trying to get clients on a good bite. But, if you just keep on trying and keep moving around, something good is bound to happen. March has always been a transition month for the Snook. Sometimes early, sometimes late, but always the month they start moving in from offshore. I landed one of the biggest Snook I have ever landed this month. This was a 43” fish that weighed close to 25lbs. She ate a Roosbaitco 1/4 oz. jig with a 3” paddle tail that he makes. This was definitely in my top 5 fish ever caught here. So March has always held great potential. And now that we are in April we will continue to see the Snook increase in numbers inshore. Live bait, Jigs, Plugs, Topwater? All will be catching fish this month. Hopefully by the time you are reading this article the winds will have let up some. We know it will sometimes blow all the way till May, but are hopeful! Even if it continues to blow the fish should show up due to warmer water and more bait moving inshore. Bottom line is more Snook should be caught! So enjoy it.
Redfish did show up in better numbers and we are catching some decent size fish mixed in with lots of smaller fish and low end slot size fish. The good thing about the Reds right now is that you can catch them while Snook fishing and vice versa. These guys will be in the same areas and will eat the same baits. Last month I would say shrimp was your best bait to catch Reds. This month I will say they are eating more aggressively and while shrimp always catches Reds, sometimes bigger baits get bigger fish. The 2nd half of the rising tide has been working best for me lately, but as we get more into the spring tides the window may be earlier. One thing that is consistent with the Reds is that the rising tide is best. There are exceptions but this is almost always a good part of your plan when you target these guys. I always enjoy working the incoming tides and casting shorelines as the water rises. We do this with jigs, and with top water lures when the winds are favorable. You may even be able to sight fish as they move in to feed. This is a great way to catch both Snook and Reds. Cover as much water as you can and as I always say, something good will happen.
We are also still catching plenty of Seatrout if it’s a dinner you are after. Tarpon are in good numbers. Permit fishing should get better. In general it is always a great time! Springtime is a great time! It is also a time to enjoy the weather. I for one am looking forward to some consistent weather, and I don’t mean consistently bad weather. I hope you can get out and enjoy the great fishing this month! Stay safe, and be courteous!
Capt. Mike Merritt
Guide
(561) 252-4324
SnookFishing1@juno.com
