Post by Steve Sutton on Apr 4, 2010 13:53:41 GMT -5
March is a transitional month. Some days are mild and sunny. Other days can be cold and blustery. That said, Temperatures are on rise! Yesterday water temperature was around 57 degrees. The whiting bite still hasn't happened. On the other hand, it wont be long! Whiting are indicator fish. When whiting are present predator fish wont be far behind. Fishermen are seeing occasional schools small menhaden popping up the rivers. One report already of glass minnows showing up. Glass minnows and small menhaden are good indicators for sea trout and redfish. The marsh grass is beginning to show life with lots of green toward the base of this plant. Shrimp is available at Adams Bait House as well as fiddlers and mud minnows. When fishing shrimp for slow reluctant sea trout try breaking the horn of the shrimp. Some fishermen believe breaking the horn puts scent into the water. Likely breaking the horn makes the shrimp more vulnerable. When fishing for springtime sea trout sometimes these fish will just peck at the bait. These are reluctant fish. Their digestive processes have yet to turn on. Trick is just to wait until fish commits. With that said some conservation groups (with the Coastal Conservation Association leading the initiative) are recommending releasing those sea trout 18 inches and larger. Recent winters have been mild enabling the sea trout to survive with the exception of last winter. Until scientist can get a fix on sea trout populations in local waters fishermen are encouraged to release the large females. One fish (over 18 inches) can put over 17 million egg back into the fishery. It is always a good idea to go light on the largest roe sea trout!