March 2020 Fishing Report
Sea Hag March Report
It’s been a trying month for everyone; for many of us, our lives have been uprooted, we’re getting to spend more time with people we thought we knew, and we’re keeping our distance from others. But the fish are still out there. In fact, there are some really nice fish out there. At the time of this writing, the Sea Hag Marina is open, with the exception of the Tiki Bar. We ask your patience and understanding, and we’d like to make sure our visitors do maintain an appropriate distance from each other, so watch for others. Additionally, by executive order from the FWC, recreational fishing vessels must maintain a distance of fifty feet from each other, and there is a limit of ten people per boat. Having said that, the water is open for business. Along with some great catches of redfish and trout who are now back on the flats, lots of Spanish mackerel and kingfish are around. The sheepshead season is in full swing, with lots of sheepies coming to the tables. And the most surprising catches this month have been a good number of really large snook in the 26-30 inch range. We’ve had another mild winter, and the snook population has been growing rapidly.
Here are some pictures from this month:
Finally, our best wishes to newlyweds Chase and Madison Norwood, who were married this month in a small ceremony. They couldn’t travel, so they spent their honeymoon on the water, as would befit a fine captain and his wife.
April Fishing Forecast
The sheepshead bite is on fire. Any live bottom, but especially rocky bottom from 8 to 15 miles out should hold lots of fish right now. If you have no numbers but want to catch some fish, consider one of our guides that do sheepshead trips. The weather has been mild and many of our guides will venture out to rocky bottom. Fish knocker rigs with fiddler crabs or shrimp, and as always with sheepshead, set the hook before you feel the bite. Pinfish and mullet are plentiful on the flats. Popping cork rigs with live shrimp or Gulp baits in 3 feet of water over grass and sand potholes will catch you some trout. In deeper water, or with baitfish around, try throwing Live Target Sardines or plastic jigtails. Topwaters are also working well in depths less than 4 feet. Redfish are blasting lures at this point, and you can cover a lot of water with them. The Spanish mackerel and kingfish will continue to be migrating through. Anywhere from a mile to three miles offshore, look for migrating bait pods, or throw over a chum block and wait for the baitfish and predators to show up. You’ll have action, whether bluefish, Spanish, blue runners or jacks, and you might attract a cobia.
We’re all hoping for the best, and we predict that things will improve, and we’ll still be able to get on the water. Sea Hag will be there for you, so get outside and recreate, following FWC rules and regulations. Then make sure you protect yourself. We want to see you back on the water. Good luck to everyone!
