3 minute read
Ebb & Flow
The Greening of the Fish
By Trey Leggett
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Austin Leggett with a slot red. Photo by Trey Leggett
While the northern states have been pounded with record breaking cold weather, here in the south we‘ve had a mild winter. Punxsutawney Phil's prediction this year is for an early spring and it looks like that will be the case. Many of us have had a pretty good dusting of pollen on our vehicles as the trees and shrubs are beginning to bud new growth. Of course, this is the south and our weather can change as often as our tides. The fact of the matter is the inshore water temperatures are on the rise and with that comes the arrival of green beer, the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade, bait fish and more active fish activity.
Redfish are still in their winter patterns of traveling in larger schools for safety since the waters are clear. You’ll be better off targeting them in the shallows and around oyster beds on the lower end of outgoing and incoming tides. As the water warms and with the increase in desired bait sources, their bite will become a bit more aggressive. A popping cork with a 24-inch to 36-inch fluorocarbon leader enticed with an artificial shrimp or baitfish should get you bitten. If you prefer a stealthier approach, throw a weedless artificial shrimp or paddletail with a 1/16-ounce up to an 1/8-ounce weighted jighead, pinch weight, or bullet sinker. The redfish may be a bit lethargic if the water stays on the cool side. Fish your bait as slow as you can and occasionally stop your bait presentation in the targeted zone for a minute or two.
Anglers have been enjoying the fight of catching redfish all winter long, but they’ve also been catching speckled trout more than in colder years. As the water temperatures warm up, so will the activity of the speckled trout. I enjoy fishing for trout on the middle outgoing tide, around smaller creek exit points, oyster beds, and anywhere an obstruction causes an eddy area. Live bait fish are a little tough to come by right now, but as the temperatures rise the bait fish will show back up in numbers. Check with your local bait shops for availability. Another viable option is to tie an artificial shrimp or bait fish on a jighead under a popping cork. Many times, I’ll throw a weedlessrigged soft artificial bait, especially around oyster beds or structure. My all-time favorite way to catch redfish, and especially speckled trout, as the action kicks up is to throw a topwater plug. The thrill of having a fish knock the lure around or blast it straight up in the air is an awesome experience that sends your excitement into overdrive.
It’s definitely a special time of year for inshore fishermen of the South as our coastal water temperatures rise. It’s almost like the end of hibernation, and now it’s feeding and playing time for the fish and for the angler. Before venturing out on the water be sure to check your fishing license status, renew your SIP (Saltwater Information Program), and check your safety gear. Good luck!
Stay safe and tight lines.
Trey fishes for Hobie Polarized Sunglasses, and ENGEL Coolers. Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com
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