Gulf fishing can still excel this spring
Many things seem more challenging this year. We survived multiple hurricanes and most of us suffered damage, many severe. Red tides hang around threatening us, challenging us to work around minimum big-fish kills so far. So how can you construct a plan that increases your odds of fishing success?
We have sophisticated tools that allow us to predict the weather. While not always accurate, they do help by predicting winds and storms. Many days require last-minute adjustments, but the forecast can help. Consider the south winds ahead of cool fronts. The longer and harder it blows the more dramatic the coming changes will be. Winds usually take a day or two to swing through the westerlies, around northeast back, then east and calm down. Frequently the day before the front is good fishing because the fish feel the changes. High steady barometer after the front slows down action. Crashing drops stimulate feeding.
The storms changed our structures and added debris to dodge. The floods and rapidly receding flood waters dramatically altered our sea bottom. The waves beat up shorelines and shifted sandy sea beds. Stump Pass Park had a new pass, cutting it in half. Bottom structures were covered or uncovered depending on wave actions, just like the shore side that we can see. Check your fishing spots to see how they fared. Old spots/GPS numbers can be uncovered. Powerful wave action can even move wrecks.
Red tide is a problem, but it can frequently be avoided with research and planning. We have weekly updates to help track fish kills, intensity, and bloom movements. Many beaches have daily updates we can track online. We try to avoid any dead fish but occasionally ride through some to locate clean waters. Live bait is harder to maintain with blooms, so consider artificial or dead bait. Some live wells do have provisions to shut off raw water and oxygenate contained waters. Consider that we can usually see clearly the good and bad water coloration. Fish can distinguish the differences too. They frequently concentrate near the distinct edges, offering excellent fishing.
Create your plan and be ready to adjust as conditions require. Always be sure safety is factored into plans. Watch the weather, it can change fast. Enjoy sheltered areas on windy days. Consider that the winds can shift speed and direction fast so have an escape route in mind.
Gulf fishing will excel as waters warm and clear up. Water can churn up fast in open water situations. East winds can provide good mackerel action nearshore when they migrate into local waters. Some came through in recent fair-weather windows. King mackerel should be here anytime. If it warms up enough, we could see silver kings/tarpon anytime as well. Spring fishing is awesome, and we all need some happier days to create fishing memories. Please check with your favorite local guide to set up some dates and enjoy the action.
Work around the challenges and enjoy the ride. Fish are the gravy. Sharing time with friends and family is your opportunity to create lifetime memories we all can cherish.
Capt. Van Hubbard is a columnist for the Boca Beacon.
