Gulf Coast’s version of Daytona 500:

Everyone that I have talked to lately has had a bad case of cabin fever. This has to be the coldest winter that I can remember for the past 20 years. Just ahead on the horizon, I can see warmer temperatures, blue green waters and a lot of hungry fish to be caught.

The first day of March along the Gulf Coast, is a lot like the beginning of the Daytona 500 race. It's kinda like this, "We interrupt this marriage to bring you Cobia season." Yes, Cobia season officially begins the first of March and runs through the entire month of April. These fish look a lot like a large catfish, brown in color, and are generally swimming on the surface. During this spring migration, the Cobia can be spotted swimming from the east and headed west towards their final destination to spawn around the Mississippi delta.

There are a good number of Cobia tournaments along the northern Gulf Coast and the competition gets pretty intense for the serious Cobia anglers. Seaward from the beach to nearly two miles offshore, boats will be searching for this elusive game fish. The bait of choice is a live eel, but any good live bait will work as well as a colorful jig. These fish are a terrific fight on 20 and 30 pound tackle and can be found in excess of 100 pounds. The average size fish ranges anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds.

Surf fishing also heats up in March. Pompano will begin showing up in the gulleys, between the sandbars up and down the beach. For those who love fishing from the beach, this is the fish of choice and a very tasty one at that. The best bait seems to be a live sand flea on a 1/0 or 2/0 hook, 2 feet of fluorocarbon leader 10 to 15 pound test and a small 1/2 ounce egg sinker. Depending on the current, your lead size may need to be increased or decreased so the bait can swim more freely.

Another great fight is a Sheepshead. They too will be showing up for the next two months. They can be caught on any of the near shore wrecks and around the jetties. Bridge and pier pilings are also another favorite place for sheepshead to be found. Fort Pickens pier would be a great place to start looking and you may even find a Pompano there too. Sheepshead really love live shrimp and fiddler crabs. The hook set up, is just like that used for the Pompano.

Bruce Smith and friends from Michigan, above, caught their limit of Amberjacks and some nice Blackfin Tuna. The inshore Grouper fishing will remain closed through March 31 and this includes the Red, Black, and Gag Groupers. All deep water species such as Snowy and Yellow Edge groupers can still be harvested.

Greater Amberjack will be plentiful on many of the offshore wrecks and natural bottom spots 20 to 30 miles offshore. Jigging with light tackle, will produce a fight that you will remember for a lifetime! Pound for pound, the amberjack is one of the most powerful fighting fish in the Gulf of Mexico. On conventional tackle, live bait will always work too.

Spring is just around the corner so get those hooks sharpened up, your reels lubed and filled with new line, so you too will be ready to fish on the next pretty day.

Planning a family outing, a company fishing trip or even a sunset cruise? Give us a call. We will show you a good time aboard the Entertainer. Our vessels can handle groups from 6 to 49 passengers and our crews are very friendly.

As we always say "May the Good Fishing be Yours."

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