Spring time is just around the corner, so I figure I will write a little of what’s to expect post. Currently it is 55 degrees outside, blowing 20 to 30 mph, and getting down into the 30s tonight. Not your typical Florida weather and certainly not ideal for fishing, and with the rapid temperature drop the fish will most likely be a little more than finicky. I love fishing during the Spring time. You generally have bright sunny days, cool mornings, and warm afternoons.
The water temps start to come up and the fish become more active. The water clarity will still be very good. I have a saying about Spring time, “Spring wind blows”. Spring time tends to be a little windier time of year. Days will start out nice and calm, but as it warms up the winds will start to pick up. You will also have a few random cold snaps here and there. Water levels vary greatly this time of year depending on the moon phase. Expect some negative low days, mixed in with some higher water level days. You really have to be on your game and out all the time to consistently stay on the fish. The fish tend to move around a lot chasing the tides and warmer water. Ideally, temps around 74 to 76 degrees are great. Anything higher than that and its even better.
The snook fishing will start to kick back up. Snook really slow down their metabolisms during the colder months and sometimes when it is really cold, they are mainly focused on self-preservation as they can be greatly affected by freezing temps of winter. Snook will most likely be in the creeks and flats adjacent as well as around docks and oyster beds. Snook love structure and anything that can absorb heat from the sun. Often times you will see them around oyster beds and seawalls, trying to soak up some warmth. Muddy darker bottom can also be a place you will find snook. They like to lay in that warm mud.
The trout bite really picks up as these fish prepare for their spawn. Big female trout move in shallow and drum to their male counter parts. This is my favorite time to throw artificial for big trout. Paddle or curly tail jigs work great. I range the weight of my jig heads from 1/8th to a ¼ ounce. Soft plastics like the mirrolure’s Lil johns are also great. Their smaller profile and darting action can draw a lot of attention. They work great on sandy bottom where bouncing them creates puffs of sand and easily grabs the attention of hungry fish. Suspending twitch baits and flukes are very versatile baits and always produce great trout as well as redfish and the occasional snook. Paul brown makes several baits that I like to use. These are soft bodied lures in a variety of shapes. The devil is one of my favorite big trout baits, as well as their fat boy and soft dines. Top water lures can also be very effective for big trout. I like the medium sized lures like the C85 Pro Dog Jr by Mirrolure. These plugs come in a wide range of colors as well as the C-eye skin series.
The redfish in the Spring can be fantastic and so much fun. Live bait, cut bait, or even artificial lures are game for a hungry redfish. The reds fish will move a lot this time of year. They will scour the flats looking for food. Some days they will be tailing on the flats and the next hunkered in the creeks or browsing the mangroves. When scouting flats, look for species of fish like, stingrays and birds that like to eat the same things redfish do. Shrimp, brine shrimp, crabs, pipefish are a few items on the menu for redfish. On negative low tides, look around at the flats and take notice of what wading birds you see there. If you see lots of roseate spoonbills, ibis, and white egrets, that will tell you a lot about what food source is there. Flats covered in blue herons and resting terns and seagull are usually not ideal places to be fishing, but like I said. Fish move around a lot during the Spring. When the water levels are up, look for these same birds to be resting in the mangroves. Fish tend to sit under these birds when roosting and it’s always a great idea to try fishing the mangroves under them.
The white bait should still be holding in deeper water and will slowly make their ways on to the flats by late spring. Shrimp can be a saving grace on super windy days where it’s best to tuck away and hide. Cut bait on the flats, like ladyfish, is a great way to find nice redfish. Snook and trout will also eat a piece of cut bait. Some of the biggest trout I have caught have come soaking cut bait. Glass minnows are also a great locator of fish. If you find glass minnows tight to the mangroves there is likely a horde of fish close by.
There are also plenty of other things to look forward to. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are still hanging around. Cobia often make appearances, and in late summer Tarpon season kicks off. If you’re looking for a great time to go fishing here in Tampa Bay, Spring time is certainly worth considering. There is never a bad time to go fishing here in Florida. Looking forward to what 2026 has in store for us! Fishing is fun!
Capt. Bucky Goldman of Bag’Em Fishing Charters 407-977-7650