click to enlarge March the water starts to heat up on a regular basis. I often refer to March as the "transitional" month. Depending on exact temperatures or a freak cold snap, the water starts to heat and brings the migratory bait back. This is the opposite of Oct. / Nov. mullet run when all the bait migrates south. As the bait returns and enters the St. John's river and tributaries, redfish, trout, and bluefish will be there to get there share. In the past, temperature depended, I have seen Jack Crevalle show up at the end of March. Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel will be very close behind them as well!! This is a great time to incorporate throughing lures on your trip. Work the tides to your favor. North in the St. Johns river will hold alot of these species around this time. Tide rips around points and structure will be the ticket. Often, as the water hovers the 65 degree mark and above, I have had some nice success on topwater and diving plugs for all the species mentioned. Last March, Paul Bent Took a beautiful 9 1/2 lb trout on topwater, and Jeff Woods with a 5 lb'er along with Will Felner and Steve Croskey having an epic day with many big 26 -34 inch redfish crushing diving plugs!! All great memories and awesome fishing!! As you catch your redfish and trout, don't forget you will have alot of bluefish strikes as well to keep the action going. I have had days where you can catch them on every cast. Great time to break out the fly rod and have some fun. Use a fluorocarbon leader and a gummy minnow and you will catch a blue! It can be a windy month so plan your trips accordingly. Try to put yourself in the lee or use downwind casts. Give yourself the advantage because it is so important to be "in tune" with your bait. Know what that bait is doing at all times. The backcountry waters will still be clear and redfish will be lurking the mud flats. It will most likely be the last month for sight fishing cruising redfish as the water will begin to get muddy and murky, however, blind casting and soaking jig mud minnows / shrimp combo's in the shallow around oyster bars can still pay big dividends!! Good chance at a sheephead, black drum, or flounder as well. Great time to plan a 3/4 or full day fishing with action through out the day. Alot going on this month, get out and enjoy some action on the waters of North Florida!!
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