Capt. Rick Davidson, Editor (grassflats2@yahoo.com
Fishing Report March 2021
Like always in March, it was windy….but the fishing was fabulous. For a transition month, we avoided any severe cold snaps which put fish out onto the flats, although nice schools of keeper spotted and sand trout were still out in 5 to 7 seven feet of water early in the month. But with milder temperatures, some of the larger fish were more active in close to shore. And although they were a little later than usual, near the end of the month the annual sheepshead bite took off. We also had some great fish caught during several tournaments this month. Here are a few shots.
CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO SEE IT WITHOUT THE CAPTION!
I caught this 6 pound trout on a topwater plug in 2 feet of water over shallow rocks. We caught a number of redfish in the same area. 
Glen Thomas and Wayne Taylor took home $2500 for a combined weight of 12.55 pounds during the North Florida Pro Redfish Tournament. 
Andy Philips pre-fishing for one of the tournaments found this nice redfish. 
Bo Greer from Kathleen, Georgia with a gator trout. 
Kevin Harden’s big trout! 
Chaeli Norwood knew where to find this overslot redfish. 
Cole and Parker Staton fished with one of our guides and caught a bunch of redfish. 
The Steinhatchee Community Tournament had a great turnout in spite of windy conditions. And this 5.59 pound trout won first place in the Community Tournament for Steve Bond. 
Hunter Barnhouse with a beautiful trout. 
Jake Gillis with a massively oversize redfish. 
Fishing outside of Rocky Creek, John Jenkins fished soft plastics on jigheads to land tons of Spanish mackerel. 
Nyki Klare came down from the mountains in Murphy, NC to catch this fine-eating black sea bass. 
Rob Monica landed a massive legal redfish (8.6 lbs) and took home first place in the fundraising tournament for Nate Blair to help with medical expenses. 
Bradley English and Skylar Hanna took second and third place redfish prizes in the Fight for Nate tournament. 
Tyler Taopo found this big trout in shallow water. 
The Steinhatchee Community Tournament had a great turnout in spite of windy conditions. Caleb Holden won $1000, taking first place with the 7.62 pound redfish. 
And near the end of the month, the sheepshead bite came alive.
April Fishing Forecast
Things are getting hot. The grass flats are filling in, pinfish are becoming more prevalent on the flats, schools of redfish are both north and south of the river, and lots of Spanish mackerel are being caught. Add the annual sheepshead bite and you’ve got a setup for a great month of fishing. As we continue to transition to a warmer weather pattern, the tides will provide a little more water during the day. Some of the hotter areas for trout and redfish have been around Sponge and Piney Points and west of the Bird Rack to the north, and the Sink Creek area and Bird Island to the south. For consistent fun, weather permitting, don’t forget about targeting Spanish mackerel. Anchor on one of the nearshore bars like Nine-Mile Bank and throw out a block of chum. Fish spoons or floreo jigs, drift live shrimp, or even get out a fly rod to catch some guaranteed Spanish mackerel and bluefish, but make sure you have a 12 inch length of wire leader. Kingfish can be taken now around active bait pods in 15 to 30 feet of water on free-lined live bait or trolled plugs or spoons. And then there’s the sheepshead bite. You can try some of the public reefs if you don’t know any spots; you can find a list here: https://www.floridagofishing.com/reefs/nc-reefs-taylor-county.html
Cobia will be arriving shortly along with the kingfish. Watch for them around markers and on the flats, and when fishing deeper structure for sheepshead. It’s always worth putting out a live bait when bottom fishing those areas.
We’ve recently had a handful of changes in our tournament schedule for Spring! Below are the flyers for the upcoming tournaments!
-Hooked on Heroes: Take Veterans Fishing March Event was moved to April 10th! The -Fundraising Tournament is still set for May 22nd!
-Florida Lure Anglers Tournament will remain on April 10th!
-Shands Fishing for Kids Fishing Tournament on April 24th has CANCELLED for 2021.
-Optimist Club of Perry Fishing Tournament on May 1st has CANCELLED.
-2021 Florida Redfish Tour is on for April 16 & 17th!
-We added Casting for Christ Fishing Tournament on May 1st!
-Fishin’ For Vision is set for May 15th!
-And Reeling For Kids Fishing Tournament will be on June 11th & 12th,,,
-…followed by the Logun Tournament on July 24th!.
Remember that the Sea Hag Marina Ship’s Store has absolutely everything you need for a successful day fishing, including rental boats, live pinfish and shrimp, fiddler crabs for sheepshead, frozen bait and chum, high-end rods and reels, moderately priced combos, terminal tackle, lures, spoons and soft baits of all types.
Reports from some of our guides:
Capt. Leslie Hernandez / Hatch Snatch Charters (352) 210-6197
Big redfish and trout have been hitting white or light colored paddle tails on 1/8 ounce jig heads. Try working them around rock piles and structure during higher tides.
