Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Eric
March-April Fishing Report 2024
Springtime is a wonderful time to get out on the water for a Tampa Bay fishing charter. The weather is cool, and the fishing is as strong as the redfish pull. Recently, coming off of shoulder surgery has had me sidelined for most of February and halfway through March. I am pleased at how fast my recovery has been so far. I am now able to throw a cast net, which was something that was hindering me for the past few weeks. Thankfully, I am good to go with only some moderate discomfort, but all in all, I am fully capable of running charters.
March has been pretty solid as far as redfish and snook are concerned. The fish have been congregating in the creeks and starting to make their way onto the flats when the tides are up. We still have some low water levels during this time, making it hard to get close to mangroves, and that’s when you find these fish in the creeks and around the deeper edges of the flats.
Whitebait and cut ladyfish have been the big producers lately. Once the bait moves onto the flats along with the pinfish, the redfish and snook will definitely come out of the woodwork and start aggressively feeding. The warmer the water gets, the hungrier the fish become, needing more energy from prey to maintain their increasing metabolisms.
The snook bite has started to take off and will only get stronger as the water temps increase. We recently hooked two monster snook in the 40” range, but as you know, they don’t get that big for no reason. Both monster snook got the better of both anglers, one on a rock and the other on a mangrove root. Heartbreak, for sure, but that’s how it goes with those big girls.
The redfish bite has been great with a wide variety of sizes from 18” all the way to 34.5” sized fish. I look forward to pounding the bushes and drawing out these redfish as they seek shelter and look for prey.
The trout bite has been ok. I recently went to a trout spot and caught a dozen smaller trout, but it’s really good to see the trout showing up there again. Some bigger trout can still be found in the creeks and creek mouths.
Fish have been really tide-dependent on their feedings. That’s where the cut bait has come in handy. When the tides not moving these fish are really sitting still and not aggressively feeding. A stinky piece of cut bait will draw in the reds as well as some bigger snook and occasional trout.
I see April being a really productive month. Not much will change except the fish will move out of the creeks and onto the flats a bit more. Moving water will still be the key, as well as a live well packed with whitebait. Chumming will really bring these fish out to play.
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