Inshore/nearshore report Jacksonville area waters
Capt. Bob Cosby
March 6, 2014
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
March, in my experience, marks the end of winter and the transition to a summer pattern. We will still have cold fronts, northeasters,rainy and windy days, but fewer and less severe than in February.
We can look forward to early arriving Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jacks, and other migratory fish as the water temperatures rise. These fish will hit trolled spoons, cast artificials, and flies as well as live baits.
The giant breeder black drum will trickle into the inlets and rivers of NE Florida this month. I'm talking fish that may push 100 pounds. They like crab, clam, and fresh dead shrimp fished on the bottom in deep water.While fun to catch these huge fish, I recommend heavy tackle and a patient revival period boatside, followed by a careful and watchful release. Their value as breeding stock far exceeds their value as table fare. Smaller drum in the 3-5 pound class are excellent eating.
Fishing for reds should improve at the jetties and in the creeks as the water warms up. Sheepshead will continue to bite around pilings, rocks, and other structure. Fiddlers or crab work well for them. Yellowmouth and silver trout should be biting throughout the river and at the inlet.
Speckled trout will be hitting live shrimp fished on sliding cork rigs, and will hit artificial sub-surface and surface lures. Bluefish will be everywhere throughout the river and inlet. Croaker fishing will improve in both size and numbers. Croakers are easy to catch and provide lots of fun for the kids as well as adults.
Whiting, blues, drum, yellowmouth trout, and possibly even pompano are potential catches in the surf this month. You still have to watch the weather closely and pick your days, but March can offer some banner days fishing on the First Coast!
Captain Bob Cosby
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