TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MARCH 2018 23
THE
Fish
Captain
Nick Shreves
Whisperer
March Fishing Forecast
INSHORE
Inshore fishing has been super tough but should improve as the water
temperature increases. Look for the Speckled Sea Trout in the rips near
oyster beds and smaller creeks. I would use a sliding cork so you can
adjust the depth until you find where they are hanging. This time of year
I would start about 5 to 6 feet under the cork. Live Mud Minnows would
be choice of bait. The local tackle shop sells these at an affordable price.
The Red Drum are still pretty far up the creeks but they will also be
around the mud flats and Oyster beds. Live Mud Minnows work great for
these fish as well.
Windy season has arrived, a good sign spring is near. This time of year
can provide a great bite if the weather allows you to get out after the
fish. Always be prepared and watch the weather as it will change fast.
Tybee jetties and beach can be pretty slow at the beginning of the
month but doesn’t mean it is not worth soaking some baits. Whiting,
Black Drum and Sheepshead are around and closer to the end of the
month a few over slot Redfish will be searching for food as well. To
catch the Black Drum and Sheepshead, fish the pier or jetties, these fish
will be using the structure to hang around. Fiddler Crabs will work for
both species, but for the Black Drum you can also use shrimp. To catch
Whiting in March you will want to fish the deeper holes and use a double
dropper rig with Shrimp. If you want to soak a large piece of cut bait like
mullet, that’s when you will have a chance at the over slot Red Drum.
NEAR SHORE
Nearshore fishing is hot right now. The Sheepshead are fired up eating
every Fiddler crab you care to drop down to them. They are fast and
sneaky and will steal your bait if you don’t pay attention. They don’t have
the nickname of Convicts for no reason. I use a 7 foot rod light action
tipped rod, 3 ounce egg weight above a swivel. Below the swivel I use 30
pound test leader about 10 to 12 inches long tied to the sharpest live bait
hook money can buy. When you start losing more fish than you catch,
change out the hook, they will dull out fast. Also, on the reefs you will
find Black Sea Bass are plentiful. You will catch a few while Sheepshead
fishing, but if you don’t get your limit use cut bait and find some live
bottom and it shouldn’t take you long.
OFF SHORE
Offshore fishing has been great. Vermillion Snapper, Triggerfish, and
Porgies are just about everywhere. It shouldn’t take you too long to catch
your limit if you are using squid or small pieces of cut bait. Out here
you will also find plenty of Amberjack and Almaco Jacks around. They
can put up a great fight if using light tackle and butterfly or high speed
jigs. For those who will to do some trolling on the ledges and out deep,
Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna and plenty of Little Tunny are around. Watch the
temperature breaks and you will find the fish.
To book your adventure give me a call at Big Fish Charters (912)
230-4625.