Coastal Angler Magazine | Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Area March 2026 Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

The Best Infatable Fishing Boats

Best For Lightweight Solo Fishing

The versatility of the FishSUP™1210 is unmatched! Use it bare bones with just the board, a paddle & your !shing gear or deck it out with swivel seat, side pontoons, casting bar, motor and more! Incredibly stable, extra wide, swallow-tail !shing SUP holds up to 500 lbs! The FS1210 takes electric and gas motors up to 3 hp. There’s even an option for a bow trolling motor.

Choose From 6 Packages

Starting At Just $999

Best For Lightweight Tandem Fishing

Perfect for !shing rivers, lakes and bays. The STS10 is a lightweight, roomy 1 or 2 person pontoon boat that’s packed with features anglers need & love including 2 built-in !sh rules, 4 built-in rod holders & 2 Scotty® mounts for more rod holders, anchor locks, camera posts or any other Scotty® accessory. Now available with a drop-stitch in atable oor or wooden oorboards.

Choose From 7 Packages

Starting At Just $1449

Best For Lightweight Fish Ski! for 1, 2 or 3 Anglers

This “low-rider” gives you access to the water to reel in and release !sh easily. With a new patented outside, in atable, rigid keel the FSK16 glides through the water at speeds up to 21 mph to get you to the !sh fast! Perfect for 1-3 anglers and room for plenty of gear.

Choose From 9 Packages

Starting At Just $2999

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Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

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If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

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By Will Schmidt

Tere were birds diving, porpoise rolling and he y yellow n tuna skyrocketing like Fourth of July reworks. Both on the water and in the boat, the energy was palatable. With one angler on the bow ready to cast a top water plug into the fray and me in the stern with ready to deploy live bait, the boat throttled back. !e plug went ying, meanwhile I simply dropped my bait behind the boat and started freelining. Almost instantly the plug was blasted in the air but not connecting. Meanwhile, I tossed a handful of baits o the back of the boat. By now the fray had subsided but the sh were clearly still looking for an easy meal. 50 feet behind me one of the chummers was blasted overhead by a 150 pound yellow n who was skyward bound a er it. Just below I could see my bait franticly swimming as another engulfed it, leading to a great battle before releasing the 100 pound class sh.

While top water shing for tuna is all the rave right now, it really makes sense to deploy multiple tactics to take advantage of these opportunities, as the school o en retreats as the boat nears. Our back up plan is very simple and almost always produces sh. As the boat gets into casting range of the school, we drop live bait o the stern and free line them. We always keep a couple ready to go. !is way, if the school disappears there are other baits ready for those who have been plugging.

For bait google eyes or blue runners, rigging them on a 10/0 circle hook is ideal. Bridling the bait and using a non-slip loop knot presents the most natural movement as the baits ee. Also, tossing a handful of chummers in, as the surface activity disperses, usually brings shing looking to pick up stragglers into the strike zone. Chumming really helps keep the sh around, so make sure you have plenty of bait. When you get hit, give it a ve count real tight and hang on!

I like to use a bit heavier tackle with the live bait, as we o en seem to nd bigger sh. My go to is Shimano Terez BW Roller Striper medium heavy with a Talica 25A. I use 80lb braid to 80lb mono. !is is a great set up that’s fun for sh from 40 to 140 and can handle the occasional really big one. the rod with a better ghting angle. It also helps to keep the line away from the gunnel as a spiraling sh ascends. !is is a great asset for many anglers on these tough sh.

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about shing for more than two decades. Follow Will on Instagram @saltynstrong.

Florida’s Spawn Transition: Where the Giants Get Caught

In Florida, we don’t wait on spring the way the rest of the country does. Our bass start thinking about the spawn early, and that in-between window when they’re moving from winter patterns to-ward the beds is one of the most exciting times to be on the water. It’s not full-blown bed fishing yet, and it’s not the deep winter grind either. It’s the transition. And if you hit it right, it’s when the biggest fish in the lake are at their absolute heaviest and most catchable.

During this phase, big females don’t just rush the shallows. They stage first. Think outside grass lines, ditch intersections, shell bars, canal mouths, and hard-bottom spots just off spawning flats. They want easy access to both worlds shallow enough to move up when conditions warm and deep enough to slide back if a cold front rolls through. Instead of randomly covering water, suc-cessful anglers focus on these “inbetween” areas where bass pause before committing.

The fun part about fishing the transition is that these fish are still in feeding mode. They’re fueling up before the hard work of spawning, which means reaction baits can shine. Swimbaits and

TYLER WOOLCOTT

lipless crankbaits are great for covering water along staging edges, especially around submerged vegeta-

tion. If they’re holding tighter to cover, slowing down with a Texas-rigged creature bait or a wacky-rigged stick worm can seal the deal. The key is not getting too shallow too fast; a lot of an-glers run straight to visible bedding areas and skip right past the best fish.

Florida weather adds another layer to the puzzle. A few warm, stable days can push fish forward in a hurry, while a stiff north wind can reposition them just as quickly. The calendar matters less than conditions. Watch water temperature trends, pay attention to wind direction, and look for areas that warm first, especially protected shorelines with darker bottoms. Transition bass adjust daily, some-times hourly, and the anglers who adjust with them are the ones holding up the heavy fish.

For me, this window is one of the most exciting times of the year. You’re not just sight-fishing beds, you’re hunting moving giants that are feeding and positioning with purpose. They’re thick, strong, and aggressive enough to commit. When you connect with one during the spawn transition, it’s not just another bite it’s often the bite that defines the season. And in Florida, that fish can show up on any cast.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/ operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided fishing trips: www.floridabigfishadventures.com.

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SSHOW SCHEDULE

Wednesday, March 25th: 12-7

Thursday, March 26th: 10-7

ince 1982, the Palm Beach International Boat Show has grown to occupy a dominant position in South Florida as both a leader in the boating and marine industry, and as an economic engine to the Palm Beach community and the tri-county area. An analysis of the boat show from 2022 showed that the event has an estimated total statewide economic impact of over $1.05 billion. With over 55,000 visitors attending the show in previous years, this has contributed to over $725 million in total sales resulting from the show.

Owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and produced by Informa Markets, the Palm Beach International Boat Show will be taking place along Flagler Drive in Downtown West Palm Beach, directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach Island.

This year’s boat show will be integral in providing visitors, exhibitors, and the community at large with an unforgettable event featuring more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging

Friday, March 27th: 10-7

Saturday, March 28th: 10-7

Sunday, March 29th: 10-5

from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet in length. From the VIP experience to the AquaZone, there will be activations that cater to all ages and adventure-seeking lifestyles.

In 2025, Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back, the Palm Beach International Boat Show’s official grant program, awarded $500,000 across 29 local nonprofit organizations for the program’s second year, bringing the two-year total to $1 million.

Enjoy preferred boat show parking provided by Related Ross – listed below. Follow boat show signs for directions to various municipal parking garages and privately operated lots throughout Downtown West Palm Beach. Most are within walking distance of the show entrances.

Attendees are invited to navigate the show using our complimentary transportation system, offering golf carts provided by ICON Electric Vehicles and boat show sprinter vans. Use the show’s complimentary transportation system, which is free to access.

Phillips Point (777 South Flagler Drive) – Valet only Esperante Corporate Center (222 Lakeview Avenue) Hibiscus Garage (545 Hibiscus Street & 713 South Rosemary Ave)

Darcizzle

Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week! www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore with

Fishing the Palm Beaches Fishing Forecast

Finally, March Madness has arrived which means the fishing should offer plentiful catching action for a wide variety of species inshore and offshore this month! The sea temperatures will be slowly warming up and cool fronts will begin to fizzle out as the month progresses. The wind will be your biggest rival because March is considered a transitional month as we head into the beginning of spring. Offshore, sailfish will be a likely catch in the beginning of the month, but large numbers of migrating sails are already south of Palm Beach waters. On the bright side, the mahi mahi bite should improve. If we have a steady easterly wind, this should prompt you to rig some ballyhoo and head offshore. Look for conditions such as edges, temperature breaks, rips, and debris.

On the beach, the spinner shark migration will be relatively easy to locate. Scan the beach and drive your boat along the coast especially between Palm Beach Inlet and Jupiter Inlet looking for jumping sharks. This area is the hot spot where these agile, small sharks will be hanging out and feeding. Once located, start chumming and

get some baits out. Live bait is great but chunks of jack crevalle, bluefish, bonita, and barracuda will work. You should be looking for sea turtles and large sharks in shallow water too, cobia will be following them! Bottom fishing and jigging the deep-water wrecks off Boca, Boynton, or Palm Beach will yield big fish like amberjack, kings, mutton snapper, Spanish mackerel, grouper, and wahoo. Wreck fishing brings the element of surprise, you never know what you will catch.

In the ICW and inshore waters, there will be plenty of inshore action for anglers to enjoy. Snook season has been open for a month already so get out there for your slot fish (28-32” on Florida’s Atlantic coast). Live bait is best, mullet if you can find them, pilchards, or just live shrimp rigged on a jig from a local shop. Find some moving water or current, and throw that live bait or artificial under the docks, against seawalls, pilings, bridges, etc. For

snook and tarpon, I like to use Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Lip Divers, trolling or just casting around structure. If the water is dirty, use dark colored lures and if the water is clear use light colored artificial lures.

8:10 0.5 8:23 0.2 7:35 7:26 10 Tue 2:43 2.3 2:39 2.0 8:55 0.6 9:09 0.3 7:34 7:26

11 Wed 3:33 2.2 3:30 1.9 9:44 0.6 10:01 0.3 7:33 7:27

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SOUTH COUNTY INSHORE & FRESHWATER

Fishing Forecast with

CAPT. PATRICK SMITH

Here is your March fishing forecast for freshwater and inshore saltwater in central Palm Beach County. It’s almost spring and that means it’s time for a warm-up and another round of migrating fish. The spring run will be starting and, in my opinion, its better fishing than the mullet run because there is less bait; it also tends to go by a little quicker. The snook, jacks, and tarpon will be ready and waiting. The rig is simple as always - a piece of 60-to-100pound leader and a 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook, depending on the size of the bait.

Out on the beach you should find plenty of light tackle action with pompano, ladyfish, mackerel, and jacks. Spinner

Barry was patient and found the highly treasured Palm Beach bonefish.

9 Mon 2:13 2.2 2:13 2.0 9:04 0.4 9:24 0.1 7:35 7:25

10 Tue 2:58 2.0 2:57 1.9 9:51 0.5 10:16 0.2 7:34 7:26 11 Wed 3:51 1.9 3:50 1.8 10:48 0.6 11:17 0.3 7:33 7:26

sharks should also be on the beach. Although their numbers have decreased over the last couple of years, it only takes a couple to get your arms tired. Hopefully, by now, the freshwater will be warming back up and the peacocks will be starting to spawn. They can be a little tough to catch this time of the year because they are not focused on eating as much as making babies, but the largemouths and clowns should provide plenty of action. Alligator Alley should really start to heat up with all the different pan fish, cichlids, largemouth bass, and peacocks will get going by the end of the month.

Took some digging around on the coldest day but we found some snook willing to eat.

Giant bluefish on the fly rod for Sarah.

ROADTRIPFISHING

Buddy Banana Kibosh

By Keith Lozott

Buddy Banana Kibosh

Contributing Writer

Marine Yard Sale FISHING CLUB

Typically, I don’t believe in superstitions, but a er a recent shing trip with my buddy Neil, I may be a believer!!! e morning started slow; I caught a small snapper and small snook. Neil was in skunk mode, so we decided to try a spoil island where I’ve caught some trout, snook, and a gag grouper on a prior trip. To our dismay it was dead as well. Just as we were about to exit stage le , Neil was working a topwater lure back to the boat when what appeared to be a large bull shark came up from the bottom and tried to hammer the lure. Unbelievably it totally missed the lure and disappeared. It was impressive to witness such a big specimen of a sh take a swipe at the lure.

all proceeds beneﬁt the PALM BEACH COUNTY FISHING FOUNDATION

A er the “Shark Week” experience, we continued to struggle so I decided to implement Plan C and move from the east side of the Indian River to the west side. I’ve had some nice shing on the west side with trout, reds, and snook. We made our way across the river stopping at another spoil island only to be greeted with a jack attack. I landed several jacks and Neil hooked one that got o . His skunk was still intact but with jacks around I gured that would change. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Loads of ﬁshing rods, reels, tackle boxes, lures, lead, coolers, marine art & decor, and assorted ﬁshing & boating accessories.

Marine & boating related items are still being accepted. Call the Fishing Club @ (561) 832-6780 to donate prior to the event.

We used the trolling motor to quietly make our way towards the mangroves hoping to get a glimpse of a red, snook, trout, ounder, or any inshore species willing to bite. As we approached the shore, we noticed another bull shark working the shore and of course I had to make a cast or two at him, but he had no interest in my o ering. We kept working the shore and nally it happened for Neil!!! He made a long cast and almost as soon as the lure hit the water, he was on with a nice sh, but we couldn’t see what it was. He started gaining ground getting it closer; enjoying the ght and then it happened! e sh came unbuttoned and at this point I was like dude, what did you do in a previous life to deserve this??? We made our way toward a dock that I know holds snook. I made a long cast and right then I was hooked up with a huge sh. It was a big snook; I got her to the boat, revived her, and released her to ght another day.

Saturday, April 11th, 2026

Great bargainsto be forhad all!

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed to me that he ate a banana for breakfast! Neil knows not to bring bananas on the boat (it’s bad luck), but it didn’t occur to him that the curse would remain in e ect with it digesting in his stomach. Myth con rmed or was it bad luck? He should’ve brought his lucky rabbit foot!!!

At the West Palm Beach Fishing Club • 201 5th St., West Palm Beach, 33401 downtown West Palm Beach, corner of 5th Street and North Flagler Drive

Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor

Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor

LIVING

ON ISLAND TIME

360 view of the outside.

• Low profile and extremely wide 20 foot beam for a smooth and stable ride.

• The closest drift boat to the Boynton Beach Inlet so there’s more time to fish!

Emily & Amanda Gale USCG Licensed Captains @GaleForceTwins

When it comes to fishing line, the universal debate is braid vs. monofilament. Both have earned their place on the water, and while one may be better suited for a specific style of fishing, that does not stop anglers from being diehard fans of one or the other. At the end of the day, the right choice comes down to what works best for you.

BRAIDED LINE: PROS & CONS

What

braided line?

Braided fishing line is made by weaving multiple synthetic fibers into a single strand, forming a line that resembles a tiny rope.

PROS:

Braid is best known for its thin diameter relative to strength. Because it is so thin, anglers can fit significantly more line on a reel, reducing the chances of getting spooled by a big fish. Braid also has little to no stretch, offering exceptional sensitivity, which makes it ideal for deep water bottom fishing and slow pitch jigging where feeling subtle bites and structure is critical. Another major benefit is longevity. Braid does not develop memory like mono and is far less affected by UV exposure. Once a reel is spooled, it can last a long time with only occasional trimming of worn top layers.

CONS:

That lack of stretch can also be a drawback. With braid, proper drag settings are crucial. Aggressive runs, sudden jumps from pelagic fish like sailfish or mahi, or other jerky movements can cause hooks to pull or knots to fail. Braid can also dig into itself on the spool under heavy load, making it extra important to spool it tightly the first time. It also comes with a higher upfront cost.

BRAID vs. MONOFILAMENT : CHOOSING the RIGHT FISHING LINE

MONOFILAMENT LINE: PROS & CONS What is monofilament?

Monofilament is a single continuous strand of nylon line, which is where the term “mono” meaning “one” or “single” comes from.

PROS:

Monofilament is favored for its forgiveness. Its natural stretch acts as a shock absorber, helping keep fish hooked during sudden runs or head shakes. Mono is less visible in the water than braid and floats, making it a great choice for topwater lures and fishing for species like snapper or bonefish which have excellent eyesight.

CONS:

Mono’s stretch reduces sensitivity, making it harder to detect light bites or fish deep water precisely. It also has a larger diameter which limits spool capacity. Over time, mono is more prone to UV damage and memory, requiring more frequent replacement.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Neither braid nor mono is perfect, and many anglers use both depending on the situation or combine them by running braid with a monofilament top shot. Braid excels in sensitivity, casting distance, and strength, while monofilament provides stretch and stealth. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each helps you make smarter choices on the water and ultimately put more fish in the boat.

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Learning

BEST WINDS for FISHING

By Mark Ambert

Understanding the weather is critical when fishing and can contribute greatly to success or failure. In particular, the wind can have a dramatic effect, not only on the outcome of your day but also on safety and comfort. Knowing how to assess conditions and adjust changes will greatly improve these factors and your chances at success.

Wind direction factors in heavily whether you are bottom fishing, trolling, or live baiting. This contributes directly to factors such as lure size when jigging or trolling, trolling speed, amount or use of weights, and drift direction/positioning when fishing baits.

deep. While it provides a “smooth” ride near the coast because the land blocks waves, it will not slow a northward drift and can push bait and debris further offshore. West winds can bring aggressive fish feeding but also potentially rougher conditions; some anglers prefer them for action but might need to fish different baits and/ or lures in a spread.

STRATEGIES TO SLOW YOUR DRIFT

Regardless of wind direction, you can use these methods to control your speed:

VESSEL ORIENTATION:

To slow and control your drift while fishing offshore, the most effective wind directions are those that oppose the northerly flow of the Gulf Stream.

SOUTH OR SOUTHEAST WINDS:

These winds run in the same direction as the northerly Gulf Stream current (average speed 4–5.6 mph). While they do not “slow” the drift in a physical counter-current sense, a light southeast wind (10–12 knots) creates the calmest surface conditions because the wind and current are moving together. South winds can bring warmer water and push bait, activating predatory response.

NORTH OR NORTHEAST WINDS (PHYSICAL BRAKING):

These winds physically oppose the Gulf Stream’s northerly flow, which can slow your vessel’s northward movement. However, this “wind against tide/current” effect can create significantly rougher, choppier seas and can be dangerous if the wind is strong (over 15–20 knots).

North winds often follow fronts, bringing cold water and rough seas, generally less favored offshore.

WEST WINDS (OFFSHORE DRIFT):

A west wind pushes your boat away from the shoreline and toward the

Position your boat perpendicular to the wind to increase drag and naturally slow your drift speed.

DRIFT ANCHORS/SOCKS: Deploy a drift sock or sea anchor to provide additional resistance against the current or wind.

TROLLING MOTORS: Use a GPSenabled trolling motor (like a Minn Kota Terrova) with “Spot-Lock” or “Drift Mode” to precisely counteract current speed.

WIND CONSIDERATIONS (GENERAL): Start your drift upwind of structure and let the wind work for you, using your boat controls to manage speed, and have drift socks ready for when the wind is too strong for a slow drift.

For real-time conditions, monitor the NOAA marine forecasts for your area, such as the Jupiter Inlet Marine Forecast or the Palm Beach Coastal Forecast before heading out. These forecasts will also show the proximity of the Gulf Stream in your area. Also, check out live conditions including web cams when available. Below is an excerpt from a NOAA weather report, it contains useful information about actual weather conditions

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARINE FORECAST

“Gulf Stream Hazards: West Northwest winds rapidly increasing on Thursday afternoon and ranging between 25 to 30 kts through Friday. Seas will build and range from 7 to 10 feet Thursday night through Friday. The approximate location of the west wall of the Gulf Stream as of Feb 05, 2026.

1 nautical mile north northeast of Fowey Rocks. 10 nautical miles southeast of Port Everglades. 9 nautical miles north northeast of Lake Worth. 6 nautical miles east northeast of Jupiter Inlet.”

This data courtesy of the Naval Oceanographic Office. Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefishing_™

A drift anchor can also be used as an attractor for cruising fish.

West winds and opposing seas bring oxygenated water to the surface, firing up predatory fish.

ECO TOURISM

Hope you’re enjoying what has been a pretty dang chilly winter here in South Florida. 2026 marks 25 years here for my wife and I, and this is our most wintry winter yet!

That’s not saying much compared to elsewhere. Believe me, I know. I grew up in northern New York state. Last I checked, my hometown was approaching 15 feet of snow this season. Family and friends still living there have very little sympathy for us Floridians as we shiver through our nights in the 20s and 30s.

And while cool spells like this winter’s don’t exactly help with tourism or encourage lots of on- water fun, they do help mitigate the effects of invasive species here in Florida.

South Florida has long been ground zero for invasive species in the US. It sometimes seems like just about any living creature can and does thrive here. And with our tropical/subtropical weather and plenty of diverse upland, wetland, and coastal marine environments for them to colonize, what’s not to like?

Two words...COLD WEATHER.

The vast majority of our invasive creatures, plants, and animals are from tropical areas elsewhere in the world. South America. Central America. The Caribbean. Southeast Asia. The South Pacific. Africa. These places rarely

get cold. And the species that thrive there - and have for years thrived here in South Florida as invasive species - are generally not well suited for cold.

Green iguanas are an invasive poster child for South Florida, but they are far from the only one. Cuban tree frogs and anoles, basilisk, agama and curly tail lizards, bufo toads, and burmese pythons have - among many others - established breeding populations in our area. All are “aggressive breeders”, and all are vulnerable to cold temps. Partly because they’re reptiles or amphibians and are unable to regulate their own body temps. Instead, they draw heat from the warm environments in which they live. Take away the warm environments, and they may not thrive. Or even survive.

I say “may” because let’s face it, there are precious few absolutes in life. Death, taxes, the Bills finding a way to lose. Beyond that, who knows these days.

There’s been discussions for years about whether South Florida’s recent mild winters are allowing invasive reptiles and amphibians to gradually adapt to cool and cold temps. Not evolve - they’re still unable to regulate their own body temps after all.

But adapt and develop ways to cope. Maybe by burrowing below ground. Or rolling in soil and leaves to make a blanket. Or finding other shelter: holes in tree trunks; heat pumps; under the hoods of cars; inside garages. I can personally say that I’ve seen iguanas, Cuban tree frogs, Cuban anoles, curly tails, and agamas doing these exact things this winter.

So, to quote Jeff Goldblum, maybe we can add one more absolute...”life, uh, finds a way.” Hope to see you outside!

5:33 -0.2 6:37 6:24

8 Sun 12:48 2.3 6:56 0.2 7:13 -0.1 7:36 7:25

9 Mon 1:26 2.2 1:26 2.1 7:37 0.4 7:57 0.1 7:35 7:25 10 Tue 2:11 2.1 2:10 2.0 8:24 0.5 8:49 0.2 7:34 7:26

11 Wed 3:04 2.0 3:03 1.9 9:21 0.6 9:50 0.3 7:33 7:26

12 Thu 4:07 1.9 4:08 1.8 10:28 0.7 10:55 0.3 7:32 7:27 13 Fri 5:14 1.9 5:19 1.9 11:33 0.6 11:55 0.2 7:31 7:27

22 Sun 12:04 2.7 5:59 -0.1 6:19 -0.5 7:21 7:32

25 Wed

SWA RUN AWAY 5K 10th ANNIVERSARY

Walk or run solo, with friends or virtually, in this one-of-a-kind race along a trail course featuring cabbage palms, cypress hammocks, marshes and pine flatwoods — with views of Grassy Waters Preserve and the SWA Renewable Energy Park.

Groups of six or more get $5 off each registration. Visit runsignup.com/swarunaway5k, click “GROUPS” click “GROUPS” and follow the prompts to start or join a team. You don’t need your full group to sign up. Recruitment stays open until registration closes.

Resource Depot inspires creativity and conservation through reuse. As South Florida’s only eco-lifestyle advocacy center, we offer hands-on workshops, an art GalleRE and a Materials Marketplace to support affordable, sustainable art and education. Learn how to keep good stuff out of the waste stream at resourcedepot.org.

JUPITER INLET INSHORE Fishing Forecast

CAPT. CRAIG KORCZYNSKI

PhlatsInshoreFishing.com

Mwith

arch into spring! Warm weather and warm water temps will create fantastic fishing conditions. March is also the start of the spring mullet run, which triggers spectacular snook and tarpon fishing, as well as jacks, sharks, and many other species.

Snook always bring out the smiles.

The snook fishing will be fantastic as they begin to trickle from back bays and begin to settle on flats, docks, seawalls, and local inlets. Moving water is the key for successful snook fishing. Live bait, Rapala X-Raps, and D.O.A. 3-inch Shad Tails are all excellent baits to get the strike. Nighttime snook fishing is another option and perfect for those looking to sight cast to an abundance of snook under dock lights and shadow lines. Flyfishing is the preferred method for night fishing, but artificial baits work as well.

Tarpon, a.k.a. silver king, can be found roaming deep channels, mangrove shorelines, and seawalls. The juvenile tarpon is more prevalent in the back waters, where the big tarpon (40 to 90 pounds) will be in the deep channels near inlets and beaches. Live bait free lined with the current is a great way to get hooked up. Artificial baits, like the D.O.A. TerrorEyz or the 5-inch Rapala X-Rap, will also work great. Remember to always bow to the king!

Anglers looking for a plethora of species to tango with, channels, deep holes, and flats will be teeming with fish. Jacks, bluefish, pompano, ladyfish, black drum, snapper, sharks, and many other species will get the drag screaming. D.O.A. Curl Tail jigs and live shrimp are the baits of choice. Well, that is the fishing forecast for March, hope you all enjoyed. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight lines!

PALM BEACH IN & OFFSHORE

Fishing Forecast with

Capt. Weston Russell • www.reelintensefishing.com •561-310-2690

March

madness will produce big dolphin.

Welcome to the Coastal Angler Magazine fishing report for March. The end of winter is insight, but we saw some great sailfish and wahoo fishing this season. We should all expect it to continue this month. Most sails will eat live bait but can also be caught on the troll. The key is to watch the tip of the rod and look for the bite. For anything that looks suspicious open the drag and feed it back for four seconds, then engage the drag, and yell “fish on”! For the wahoo angler, the pre-dawn bite works best. High speed gets the job done, but if you’re looking for tuna and dolphin, stick to slow trolling; the best speed is 8 knots. Good luck! Let’s now discuss bottom fishing as the reefs have been worked hard over the years. Snapper bags are on the decline, so my suggestion is to go deeper and fish the 200–300-foot range. Long leaders and an 8 oz. lead will help get it down. Goggle plugs will do the trick, but anything with fresh meat will get the bite. Muttons in the 20 lb. range live in this depth, so hold on and reel fast as the man in the gray suit will be on your tail fast. If things get slow, try some of our deep-water wrecks. The state has dropped debris in designated areas off our cost and they are easy to find if you have a GPS. You will need a stout rod and reel on a three-way swivel, a long leader, and a strong hook. Send a live goggle eye or runner down to the bottom and then reel up five turns - hold on tight! For the inshore anglers, the beaches will be holding tarpon and jacks. Schools will be swimming, looking for scale baits and anything else they can catch. Topwater plugs are fun to deploy when live bait is scarce, and live shrimp will get the job done. Cruising the beach home after fishing may put the icing on the cake. You may find yourself running over some good last-minute fishing. So that’s what I have for you this month. Good luck and tight lines!

Kalia with a snook caught on a D.O.A. Curl Tail.

Doubled up on snook.

Fishing Forecast with Freshwater

CAPT. JOHNNY STABILE

South Florida Fishing Charters • (954) 440-5200 • sflfishingcharters.com

Spring is in the air in South Florida, and that means big fish are laid up on beds, spawning, and rebuilding after this year’s significant fish kill. This past February, we experienced record-setting cold temperatures that led to a major die-off of exotic fish across the region. These exotics make up over 90% of my charter business, so like many anglers, I’m hopeful to see a strong number of survivors as we move into the spring months.

While some people in South Florida complain about non-native species, most anglers are ecstatic to have them in our waterways. These fish are incredible gamefish, hard fighting, explosive strikes, and year-round action. The positives far outweigh the negatives, and the state sees substantial economic benefits from these fisheries through tourism, charters, and local businesses.

Peacock bass will be holding deeper this time of year, as water temperatures are still on the cooler side. Once temps climb into the mid-70s, they’ll push back into the shallows and begin spawning. I do not recommend targeting spawning fish, especially peacocks. Given everything these fisheries have gone through this year, it’s important to be mindful of bed fishing and give these fish a chance to replenish. Peacock bass grow fast, often reaching nearly a pound in their first year, so if we collectively give them a break now, there will be no shortage of quality fish in the seasons ahead.

Springtime bass fishing in Florida is nothing short of incredible. You can fish just about anywhere in the Everglades and experience 50- to 100-fish days by rotating through only a few proven baits. Topwater spooks, flukes, and wacky-rigged worms can keep rods bent from morning until afternoon. The Everglades is a truly special resource; one of the most unique fisheries in the country, and remains one of my favorite places to fish, explore, and share with others.

•

Beginner to

7:25

9 Mon 12:45 2.3 12:45 2.1 6:57 0.4 7:17 0.1 7:35 7:26 10 Tue 1:30 2.1 1:29 2.0 7:44 0.6 8:09 0.2 7:34 7:26

March fishing will be firing on all cylinders as this month consistently delivers some of the best action we see all year in our local waters. With warming water temperatures and steady bait movement, the bite has been wide open across the board, making this an ideal time to get offshore and take advantage of incredible variety and opportunity.

On our drift fishing trips, snapper fishing lately has been especially strong. We’re seeing a noticeable uptick in quality snapper species, including mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, and several others moving onto the reefs. Along with the snapper bite, we’re also seeing solid numbers of red grouper being caught, mixed in with kingfish, porgies, grunts, and a variety of other productive reef species. These trips have been action-packed and perfect for anglers looking to stay busy and bring home great table fare.

Offshore sportfishing will be absolutely red hot as well. Pelagic species are starting to show in force, and the excitement level has been high. We’ve already started to encounter mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, kingfish, and big game sharks, with sailfish making appearances and keeping anglers on their toes. The diversity of species right now means every rod has a chance to go off, and you never know what might show up next.

March truly offers some of the most consistent and exciting fishing of the year. Whether you’re looking to fill the cooler on a drift fishing trip or chase hard-fighting offshore species, now is the perfect time to get out on the water and experience it for yourself.

KAYAK Fishing Forecast

772-201-5899 • Brian@tckayakfishing.com • tckayakfishing.com

Inshore

March will continue to be good for pompano and will kick off looking for tripletail for us. Pompano as usual will be along channel edges near your favorite inlets. I like to fish for pompano in the morning and then head to look for tripletail. Using the sun to your advantage, you can see tripletail hanging around crab buoys and channel markers. Both pompano and tripletail can be caught using a D.O.A. Lures 2.75” Shrimp. Switch to the 3” D.O.A. Shrimp if you need the bait to stay in the strike zone a little longer.

Offshore

We are starting to see some good mahi mahi caught and March is typically a good time to get the first run of them. Springtime mahi are usually on the bigger side compared to the fall run. Mullet, pilchards, and goggle eyes are great live bait options. It is also a really good idea to have a pitch bait rigged with your favorite lure. I like a D.O.A. Bait Buster or TerrorEyz. Try slow trolling baits in 80 to 300 feet of water. Look for any current edge of weeds to up your chances for a bite. As always, don’t count out hooking into a sailfish or kingfish trolling the same depths.

Freshwater

Peacock bass and clown knifefish will be chewing this month. Prop baits will work well for peacock along shallow edges. Try twenty-pound leader and a 2/0 circle hook casting in and around structure and weed lines to get onto a few clowns with shiners or shad. Look to fish mid-water column and below by adding a pinch weight to your leader and get that bait in their face.

Mike with a tasty pompano.

Dan Arnold boated this nice blackfin trolling out of Hillsboro Inlet.

Capt. Mateo Burrell with MBSnookin Charters and John from Johnny Jigs on a 100 pound tarpon caught with a live shrimp.

Iman and an awesome mahi she caught trolling out of the Hillsboro Inlet.

Ben reeled in these nice wahoo out of the Hillsboro Inlet.

John Laden caught this nice wahoo on live bait off Boca Raton.

NEW SPOTTED SEATROUT REGS TAKE EFFECT APRIL 1

At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new management regions and regulations for spotted seatrout shing in the State of Florida. e rule changes establish nine management regions for spotted seatrout as well as regional regulations for recreational and commercial shing.

ese new regulations will go into e ect on April 1, 2026:

OPEN/CLOSED SEASONS

Recreational

» Panhandle: Open March 1–Jan. 31; Closed February.

» Big Band, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast: Open year-round.

» Indian River Lagoon: Open Jan.1–Oct. 31; Closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.

Commercial

» Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: Open Jun. 1–Oct. 31; Closed Nov. 1–May 31.

» Indian River Lagoon: Open May 1–Sept. 30; Closed Oct. 1-Apr. 30.

» Northeast: Open June 1–Nov. 30; closed Dec. 1–May 31

BAG LIMITS

Recreational

» Big Band: Five (5) sh per person.

» Panhandle, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast: Four (3) sh per person.

» Indian River Lagoon: Two (2) sh per person.

Commercial

» 50 sh (1 SPL);100 (≥2 SPLs) in all regions.

SLOT LIMITS

» Recreational - 15-19 inches

» Commercial - 15-24 inches

OVERSLOT ALLOWANCE

Recreational

» All Regions: None. is regional management strategy has been implemented for some of Florida’s most popular inshore species, including red sh and snook, and now spotted seatrout. ese regions and regulations are part of the FWC’s holistic management is approach takes a more holistic view of the shery by evaluating multiple metrics, including shing, stakeholder experiences and environmental factors, at a smaller regional scale. It improves our understanding of regional di erences in environmental conditions and stakeholder experiences and provides greater exibility to address localized concerns.

» Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: One (1) sh over-slot allowed per vessel or per person if shing from shore

» Indian River Lagoon, Northeast: None

Commercial

For the full FWC commission meeting agenda and links to background reports, go to myfwc.com/about/commission/commissionmeetings/. For current spotted seatrout annual reviews, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Spotted Seatrout.” ese documents provide a summary of the management metrics in each new management region.

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PREDICTING THE RUN

By Capt. Jim Ross

s a charter captain, as well as a regular contributor to the Brevard County, Florida edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, every year there are certain events that happen that I try to predict in advance so that clients and readers can catch more !sh. However, there are many times that even we so called “professionals” don’t get it exactly right. Obviously, my crystal ball isn’t 100 percent correct all of the time...maybe it needs a tune up. LOL!

ings like the giant black drum schooling up, spring cobia run, June tarpon run, fall mullet run, and winter pompano run aren’t things you can pin down to a certain day of the month, but most of the time we can at least predict the month. Hopefully, I can achieve at least a 90 percent e ciency rating a er doing this report for the past 25 years.

I was just telling my clients one day last week, a er catching a bunch of small trout and a couple of lady!sh, that the big uglies were probably going to show up in a few weeks and if they had a chance to come back out with me then that they may have a shot at catching some much larger !sh than the ones we had landed that morning. Just !ve minutes a er saying this I spotted something unusual about 500 yards up the at. It was exactly what I had just been talking about- a 300 !sh school of 30 to 50-pound black drum.

e !sh in this big school were happy-tailing and waking as they pushed their way down the at. We eased up to them, cast our shrimp in their direction, and as you !gured, the battles were on. All three anglers were hooked up to huge drum that had absolutely no respect for them. Drags screamed, rods doubled over, and dozens of yards of line dumped o their reels. Grunts and groans were heard between laughter and smiles as they worked to tire these beasts. e boat deck looked like a country bar dance oor as anglers shu ed and two-stepped under and over each other in an e ort not to lose their prized catches.

We ended up extending the trip from a 3/4 day to a full day outing because each !sh took 15 to 25-minutes to land.

e moral of the story? Don’t ever count on !sh to be there and don’t ever think that it’s not quite the right time to catch them. e bottom line is just go !shing every chance you get. at is the only way that you can be sure to catch your next memory.

Capt. Jim Ross is owner/operator of Fineline Fishing Charters on Florida’s Space Coast and host of “Catch a Memory Outdoors” live radio show and podcast. www. neline shingcharters.com • www.catchamemoryoutdoors.com

COME JOIN

PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES

Top 3 Mistakes

So many anglers have a “go-to” color lure that they swear by. What they do not understand is that the color of your lure barely makes the top three most important factors for catching tons of !sh.

Mistake #1 - e number one mistake anglers make is ignoring the importance of the size and pro!le of the lures they use. When snook, tarpon, red!sh, speckled trout or ounder are feeding, they o en become laser focused on that particular forage species. In other words, if they are feeding on a 6-inch mullet your 3-inch paddletail or shrimp lure will probably be ignored.

PRO TIP: Have a few of your rods rigged up with various sizes and pro!les of lures on them. I like to have a 3-inch paddletail, an arti!cial shrimp and a 4- to 5.5-inch jerk bait ( uke) rigged up when I can’t determine what bait is around. Try all three sizes and pro!les of lures until you !gure out what the !sh in the area are feeding upon.

Mistake #2 - e number two mistake most anglers make is thinking one retrieve style works best for all of the !sh all of the time. ere are so many di erent factors to consider when retrieving your lures. Here are a few to consider:

• Is the water cold or hot? Fish are cold blooded and move more slowly in cold water. is means that you have to slow down your retrieve when the water is cold. Conversely, you want to move your lure faster when the water is hot.

• What species are you targeting? Di erent !sh species like di erent retrieves. For instance, the best retrieve for a red!sh is slowly bouncing your lure o of the bottom. A tarpon likes a low and steady retrieve. A ounder likes a very slow bounce/dragging retrieve no higher than 12 inches from the bottom. A speckled trout likes a vertical jig and will usually hit the lure as it falls through the water column. Snook like a fast and erratic retrieve most of the time.

• Is the water clear or murky? Low light, cloudy skies and murky water scenarios makes it harder to get a !sh’s attention. Use a retrieve or lure that creates vibrations and ashes in the water. You also want to fan cast the area keeping your lure placement close together because they are less apt to seek out your lure. When it is sunny and the water is clear it is easier to get the !sh’s attention. You can make your casts further apart and make the !sh come to your lure.

Mistake #3 - e third biggest mistake is thinking !sh care about lure colors. A saltwater tackle box with white lures and something dark like root beer or purple is all that you need to catch any !sh. PERIOD. e bottom line is that if you want to catch more !sh, switch up your sizes and pro!les and vary your retrieves for di erent species and conditions. I GUARANTEE that you will catch more !sh.

Capt. Mike Smith is owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters.Reach him at (561) 339-2317, contact@ shyourasso .com or shyourasso .com.

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California

please

regarding

Coastal Angler Magazine | Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Area March 2026 Edition

The Best Infatable Fishing Boats

Best For Lightweight Solo Fishing

Best For Lightweight Tandem Fishing

Best For Lightweight Fish Ski! for 1, 2 or 3 Anglers

TRUST BR AND MARINERS

fve things you should know about boat insurance

Florida’s Spawn Transition: Where the Giants Get Caught

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

SSHOW SCHEDULE

Darcizzle

Fishing the Palm Beaches Fishing Forecast

SOUTH COUNTY INSHORE & FRESHWATER

Fishing Forecast with

CAPT. PATRICK SMITH

ROADTRIPFISHING

Buddy Banana Kibosh

Buddy Banana Kibosh

Contributing Writer

Marine Yard Sale FISHING CLUB

LIVING

ON ISLAND TIME

BRAIDED LINE: PROS & CONS

What

braided line?

BRAID vs. MONOFILAMENT : CHOOSING the RIGHT FISHING LINE

MONOFILAMENT LINE: PROS & CONS What is monofilament?

EXPLORE Boynton Beach

BEST WINDS for FISHING

STRATEGIES TO SLOW YOUR DRIFT

VESSEL ORIENTATION:

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARINE FORECAST

ECO TOURISM

SWA RUN AWAY 5K 10th ANNIVERSARY

JUPITER INLET INSHORE Fishing Forecast

Mwith

PALM BEACH IN & OFFSHORE

Fishing Forecast with

March

Fishing Forecast with Freshwater

CAPT. JOHNNY STABILE

KAYAK Fishing Forecast

Inshore

Offshore

Freshwater

NEW SPOTTED SEATROUT REGS TAKE EFFECT APRIL 1

BAG LIMITS

SLOT LIMITS

SPEND LE TIME ON TASKS More Time Fishing

PREDICTING THE RUN

COME JOIN

PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES

Top 3 Mistakes

THE ULTIMATE OUTBOARD MOTOR