THE
Fish
Whisperer
March Fishing Forecast
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 PIER & JETTIES
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 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
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.
16 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MARCH 2020
Captain
Nick Shreves
INSHORE
Inshore fishing has been decent, but should improve as the water
temperature increases. We got lucky and didn’t have any super cold
weather this winter. 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. But being that our water has stayed warm, lots of Shrimp are still
around. 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.
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 just any reason. I use a 7 foot 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 then you catch,
change out the hook because 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. If you don’t get your limit, use cut bait and find some
live bottom and it shouldn’t take you long. As the month comes to a close,
look for Spanish Mackerel and Atlantic Bonito to show up as well.
OFFSHORE
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 who will 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.
Thank you for all your support and hope you all have tight lines and
full fish boxes. To book your adventure give me a call at Big Fish
Charters (912) 230-4625.