THE
Fish
Whisperer
March Fishing Forecast
24 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MAR 2019
Captain
Nick Shreves
PIER FISHING
Tybee jetties and beach can be pretty slow at the beginning of the month,
but that 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 Red Drum 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 structures 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.
INSHORE
Inshore fishing will 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. Our days are
becoming longer and the average temperature is rising. 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.
NEAR SHORE
Nearshore fishing is hot right now. The Sheepshead are fired up, eating
every Fiddler Crab you care to drop down to them. I use a light action
rod to feel the bite on these sly fish. They don’t have the nickname of
convicts for no reason. I use a 7 foot rod, light action tip, 3 ounce egg
weight above a swivel. Below the swivel I use a 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 then you catch, change out the
hook, they will dull out fast. Also, on the reefs you will find that 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 to 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 willing to do some trolling on the ledges and out deep, the
Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna and plenty of Little Tunny are around. Watch
the temperature breaks and you will find the fish.
If you are interested in joining me on a fishing adventure, give me a
call at Big Fish Charters 912-230-4625.