How many times have you felt that hard speckled trout bite, but suddenly your line goes limp? Now, you have the feeling there possibly could be a personal best waiting on the other side of the line. Too many of us telegraph the fish by making just a slight move of the rod or reel. We would love to hear your same possible personal best trout stories.
March is one of the more challenging fishing months of the year. Its a time when theres the most amount of change at any one given time with regards to fishing patterns and situations. This past week was a good example. The first couple days were mostly cloudy and foggy with temperatures ranging from the 40s to the high 60s. After that, the weather went downhill with periods of intermittent rain along with warm temperatures, and the wind didnt know if it wanted to blow hard, or harder. By the time the later part of the week rolled around, the wind had died somewhat and the sun came out (temporarily), which left things warm and balmy. At the end of the week we were presented with everything each day - calm mist, late fog, windy mornings, windier afternoons, calm evenings, brief blue sky, warm and cool temperatures, etc. The weather just couldnt make up its mind. Wow, what a week!
Captain Jason Wagenfehr with repeat guests of Bay Flats Lodge
In one week we went full-circle with regards to daily temperatures, we also endured winds from almost every direction imaginable. We experienced precipitation, fog, and adjusted to alternating levels of cloud cover. And to top things off, we had increasing tides over the course of that period, as well. So, with all these separate changes taking place (basically) at the same time, you may be asking yourself, How am I supposed to effectively locate a bite pattern? Well, it can sometimes become a true contest between you, the elements, and the fish!
In attempting to gain the upper hand in March, it will be important that you NOT limit yourself to only those areas that you are most familiar with. Investigating new wading spots this month has paid great dividends over the years, so look in areas that havent been accessible the past few months due to low tides. Begin looking to areas of mud, grass, shell, and even sandy bottom structure in shallower water, as the air and water temperatures will rise and the bite will start increasing in skinny water. The fish become more active in March to fulfill their appetites, so key-in on active baitfish whenever scouting new fishing spots.
Bay waters often become severely discolored because of the tides and the wind this month, but dont let that discourage you from fishing any one particular area. Learn to fish the signs and conditions, and not the spot. If you happen upon jumping baitfish in chocolate milk water, get out of the boat and throw a top water or slow-sinker, especially if theres bait being driven against the windward shoreline. Most of your best results in these situations will come when using dark-colored baits, which has yielded some handsome catches when everything else was thought to have been lost due to the conditions. In other words, never give up on the situation at hand during Marchjust keep grinding!
We wish to remind everyone of the 2018 BEAT the HEAT FISHING SPECIAL being offered during August at Bay Flats Lodge. This is a time when you and your guests can fish each day of the week at tremendously discounted rates. Remember to practice CPR, Catch, Photo, and Release, whenever possible on trophy Trout and RedsGuide Chris Martin, Port OConnor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com1-888-677-4868
Last edited by Capt. Chris Martin; 03/04/18 09:04 PM. Reason: Add