March is an incredible month for fly fishing because the days become longer with the time change and the water temperature is on the rise. In the next month, we can expect to see everything transition as the bait begins to show up on our flats, bridges and beaches. Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Triple tail, Cobia and Sharks can all be targeted this month.
Fly Fishing for tarpon is only going to get better and better as the temperatures rise into the mid to upper 70’s. Our resident tarpon will stage up and feed in preparation for their annual migration. They can be targeted in our area at night or during the day using flies that push water. This is especially critical as our water clarity diminishes with the algae bloom in the warmer water temperatures. We will start to see more fish as the water warms.
Snook fishing is on fire this month with the arrival of the bait on the flats and deeper channels. These fish are absolutely everywhere as they transition to their summer spawning grounds. Baitfish patterns are without a doubt, your best choice when targeting them either at night or during the day. Deeper mangrove shorelines or shorelines with deeper water adjacent to them have been holding the most fish.
Redfish have been consistent on the lower tides in the morning but that will change as our big low tide will begin to occur in the afternoon around sunset on the new and full moon phases. Just like the snook, our redfish will begin to primarily feed on baitfish and patterns such as the clouser, deceiver, or EP baitfish are hard to beat. It will still be possible to sight fish for them in the next month or two but will become more and more difficult as the water clarity diminishes with the warmer temperatures in upper Tampa Bay.
Since the water temperatures are on the rise and the bait is starting to show back up just about everywhere, Spanish mackerel and Jack Crevalle will follow. Schools of jacks can be seen busting bait on the flats and the mackerel will do the same just in deeper water. Triple tail have started to show good in Tampa Bay and off our beaches again on the crab trap buoys. These fish are not picky, just lazy. A well placed shrimp or baitfish pattern up tide of the fish will get the job done. It’s not uncommon to come across cobia off our beaches or channel markers and they’re very willing to eat a black tarpon bunny.