March is an excellent month for getting out on the water in Florida. Fishing can be excellent due to near-perfect weather, warming waters, and diminishing winds. The spring season officially begins on March 20th, bringing fantastic fishing opportunities to the Treasure Coast. Baitfish should begin to appear along Gilbert’s Shoal, the Sandpile, and the Bullshark Barge. So get your sabiki rods ready and keep an eye out for birds. Cobia should start showing up under the sharks in those same areas, and we’ll lure them in with a menhaden chum while chunking bonito. Then, using a weighted rig, get some live baitfish under the sharks.
Here Are Some of the Fish You Can Catch in Florida in March:
Sailfish
The sailfish is named after its sail-like dorsal fin and is widely regarded as the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching 70 miles per hour. This species is a popular game fish, distinguished by its long upper jaw, which it uses as a spear to strike and stun larger prey such as large bony fish and cephalopods.
Sailfish are highly sought-after game fish by anglers due to their resistance. They are strong, have long endurance, and are known to repeatedly dive and leap out of the water during a fight. Remember to conserve your strength when catching this fish. Set your gear to sink depths of 30-65 feet and slow down your boat so your leader can swim freely. Tease the fish a little, and when it bites, keep your grip tight because the sailfish will try to shake it off first. Before attempting to pull, let the fish run.
Mahi-Mahi
The dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi, is unrelated to the marine mammal dolphins. This brightly colored, distinctive fish has a long body, a blunt face, a forked caudal fin (tail), and a dorsal fin that runs the length of its body. It is brightly colored, mostly golden-green and blue, with irregular patches of metallic blues and greens on its back and sides. They typically grow 3 feet long but have been captured at nearly 6 feet.
This fish is highly valued commercially as a gamefish. Aquaculture methods can also be used to raise it. Fishermen take advantage of the dolphinfish’s attraction to floating objects by erecting floating clusters of bamboo reeds or planks to concentrate dolphin fish before deploying nets. The flesh is highly valued and is sold fresh and frozen.
Blacktip Shark
If you’re fishing in Florida, these light tackle fighters are an excellent inshore target. Blacktip Sharks prefer warm, shallow waters throughout the state’s estuaries, bays, and coastal waters. They typically stand 5 to 6 feet tall and are quite timid, making them an excellent target for people of all skill levels.
That doesn’t mean they won’t fight if they get their hands on your bait! Blacktip Sharks can be caught yearly, but following their migration patterns is best. Large schools arrive in the inshore waters surrounding Palm Beach County in January and remain until March. They’ll start heading back up north, towards the Carolinas, in April, so don’t miss out on your chance to chase them.
Black Grouper
The Black Grouper, also known as black or marbled rockfish, is a saltwater fish found primarily in the western Atlantic. Except for the dark rectangular blotches (with some brassy spots) scattered all over the fish’s body, including the head and fins, most of its body is olive or gray. Except for the square-ish tail, its fins are mostly round, and the front part of its two-segment dorsal is spiny. All of the fins are also surrounded by rounded dark blue or black borders.
If you’re fishing in Florida, these light tackle fighters are an excellent inshore target. Blacktip Sharks prefer warm, shallow waters throughout the state’s estuaries, bays, and coastal waters. They typically stand 5 to 6 feet tall and are quite timid, making them an excellent target for people of all skill levels.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna is one of the open ocean’s fastest and strongest predators and an important fishery species wherever it lives. The yellowfin tuna is a large species that can reach weights of at least 400 pounds (190 kg) and lengths of nearly 7 feet (2 m) (typically whole). Like many other open ocean bony fishes, Yellowfin tunas begin life as extremely small larvae, no more than a few millimeters long and weighing only a few hundredths of a gram. Individuals reach sexual maturity and reach 3 feet (1 meter) in length within two years.
Billfish
Billfish are members of the Istiophorid fish family, which is found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Members of this family are notable for the elongated, spear-like structure on their upper snout, and some species weigh more than 1,800 pounds. Anglers worldwide regard these fish as premier game fish, notable for their high-speed runs and aerial acrobatics when hooked.
Billfish prefer the clear, warm, cobalt-blue waters of South Carolina’s outer continental shelf and Gulf Stream. However, in late summer, juvenile and small sailfish and spearfish will stray into nearshore waters, occasionally entering sounds. Billfish can be found in the waters off our coast at any time of year, but April through September are generally considered the best for fishing.
Hate 2 Lose Sport Fishing Charters, Stuart Florida, a Premier Fishing Charters, provides an exciting outdoor adventure experience. We provide inshore and offshore trips, also known as deep-sea fishing charter trips. We ensure that you can always enjoy the sun, relax, and, of course, catch fish!
Our mission is to show you the local fishing experience, where the fish live, and ensure you have a great time. Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters is committed to providing high-quality service and a positive customer experience.
Charter fishing boats in Stuart, Florida, specializing in game fish such as swordfish, blue marlin, wahoo, dolphin (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and others.
Call us at 772-214-1889 to book your Charter Experience on Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters today!
