Suddenly spring is here, and all signs point that way. By the middle of March, there is a good chance that we can depend on warm weather to prevail, but that doesn’t mean a cold front might be just around the corner. I think preparing for the wonders that the season brings is the right idea. Reports indicate that snook fishing is great, there are some big trout being caught and redfish are a good possibility, if not reliable. I thought I would check in with a few local guides to get an idea what the experts are finding in local waters. These guides are on the water on a consistent basis and have a real feel for the variety, distribution and action anglers are likely to find.

Captain Scott Moore reports that snook fishing is very good with fish ranging from 25 to 27 inches. Water on the flats is hitting the mid-70s and fish are responding. Moore has also been encountering some very nice trout and snook near the mouth of the river in glass minnow schools. He has been successful with a combination of live bait, as well as lures, particularly top water and jigs like the MirroLure Marsh Minnow. Redfish are always a possibility, but not as prevalent as the trout and snook. Moore has been having good action in Palma Sola Bay, as well as the eastern shoreline of Sarasota Bay. He’s also still is finding sheepshead on the edges of the ship channel in Tampa Bay.

Captain Chris Hargiss is finding tremendous sight fishing for snook in lower Tampa Bay. Hargiss is fly fishing, and his clients that can get the flies to the fish and entice them with a proper strip are being rewarded with some fish to 28 inches. The recent warm weather has really been good for the snook bite, according to Hargiss. He says that as the water temperature increases some of the larger snook will be making their way towards passes and open water. Sight fishing the larger snook can be tricky, but if you can sight them before they see you, these predatory and hungry fish will sometimes smash large profile baitfish patterns.

Captain Justin Moore reports that he’s having some of the best fishing for big trout in years and great action on snook, as well as a few reds. He’s using live bait and working the deep grass, seams and potholes on the flats from Tampa Bay to Long Bar. He’s also finding good action on bluefish in deep grass. Moore cautions anglers to remember that these big trout are spawning now and full of row. He encourages anglers to release the big females if possible.

According to Captain Rick Grassett, night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW has been very good lately. A strong tide is important and the strong incoming tides close to the new moon last week, combined with rapidly rising water temperatures resulted in great action. Anglers on four different trips all had nonstop action mostly on flies, but a spin angler did very well with a CAL jig and a glow shad tail. Snook gorged themselves on a variety of baits, so in addition to his Grassett Snook Minnow, anglers also caught and released snook on large Clouser and EP flies.

Captain Harrison King reports that snook fishing has been great on flies, artificial baits and white bait. He has been concentrating his fishing in Sarasota and south Tampa Bay. He’s catching a few reds, most of which seem to be in very shallow water. Trout and pompano fishing in 4 to 8 feet of water over grass has also been a good option. King reports that fishing in the Gulf is heating up with the warming water temperature and he expects more pelagic species like kings, cobia and permit will be showing up.

As I’m writing this report the forecast is for a cooling off with a night in the 50s the first of the week. That might change fishing temporarily, but a rebound is likely in no more than a couple of days. As soon as the weather permits and baitfish move to the beaches, kingfish should also be a distinct possibility. The message is clear – spring is here and with it some of the best fishing of the year. Get out there and enjoy.