Enough Of Winter

One of the many reasons I live in Florida is I hate cold. I’m very ready for winter to be over and March to usher in milder temperatures with less cold fronts. And, most importantly, Spring brings in great Bluewater fishing.

In addition to Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna, I expect to see some early season Mahi. If Tuna and Wahoo are your target, best start is on the shelf edge. Tuna and Wahoo love to hold on structure. For Tuna long monofilament leaders with naked ballyhoo or the tried-and-true cedar plug is the way to go. I like 80# mono and Blue and white being my color choice. I like to mix in some wire riggs for the inevitable Wahoo bite. Mid-morning I start looking to the east anticipating an edge that will be holding Mahi / Dorado / Dolphin - whatever name you prefer! These tasty, hard fighting fish are the highlight of Spring fishing. Fortunately for fisherman, this species is not picky. If you find them, they will eat…mostly Ballyhoo rigged naked or with a small skirt on monofilament increases your hookups. Teasers are a must and look to get bites on the short rigger baits as well as the flat lines. We always pull something deep in the water column rigged on wire for any Wahoo that might still be around. A staple of the charter fleet is an Islander Hawaiian Eye in front of medium ballyhoo.

If bottom fishing is your thing, there are plenty of species that are open and available. Vermillion Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, Mutton Snapper, and many other species willing and ready to bite.

It’s a great time to go fishing. Not hot. Not cold. Just right. Here’s to an early Spring with warmer days.

Let’s go Fishing,

Capt. Robert Johnson