Spring’s high winds make sheltered waters a great option. Brackish canals are where it’s at according to Chris Hunter at Worldwide Sportsman. Tarpon, snook, barracuda and jacks are feeding heavily on mullet when the tide is ripping, especially at night. Brown flies, like deceivers and dark colored top water baits, work well on the saltwater side of canals like in the Coral Gables Waterway (C3).
Captain Rich Smith has been throwing live shrimp and crabs at bonefish in Biscayne Bay. He is having the most luck on the leeward side of the islands when the wind is blowing. Bones are showing up in schools of 2-10 on low, incoming tides. Last week in the Everglades, one of his clients boated three tarpon over 80 pounds and lost several more. Snook and redfish are biting on Rapala twitch-raps and Bass Assassin eels in the backcountry.
Offshore action for sails remains steady. Some large bull dolphins are being caught around floating structures in 300-600 feet of water. Snapper fishing is solid off the patch reefs, with deeper drops yielding the bigger fish.
Snook and tarpon should start showing up in good numbers too. Check back every Wednesday for a new report and make sure to listen to Chris Hunter on the Florida Sportsman radio show on 1080 AM Saturday mornings at 7am.
Also, The Spring Fishing Classic is taking place at Worldwide Sportsman from Feb 29-March 16. This is a great place to get tips from the experts like Ray Rosher and Chris Hunter.--Tee Clarkson
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