Anglers across the country are anxiously awaiting spring migrations. In search of the best early spring saltwater fishing, we traveled to the four corners of the nation seeking out hot action. Here’s the inside track on where and when to start the season.
Catch Early Spring Sailfish in South Florida
February is the height of the sailfish migration along southeast Florida, and Capt. Eric McDonald from Deep Blue Fishing Charters says, “The weather is rough, but if I hit it right I find schools of sails moving through the area.”
Off Jupiter, Florida, McDonald favors an offshore wind to drift live baits across the reef. “I start on the inside of the reef and let the wind push the boat east as deep as 300 feet,” he explains. McDonald drags a sea anchor to position his boat side-to the wind. Then he fishes three live baits from a kite on the downwind side and a flatline and downrigger on the upwind side.
“I use a wire stinger rig on the flatline and downrigger in case I run into a wahoo,” he adds. For his kite baits, McDonald prefers to hook a goggle eye or blue runner through the shoulder. McDonald says sailfishing is best in February and March before waves of wahoo and king mackerel move into the area.
Springtime Seatrout Fishing in Mississippi
Capt. Sonny Schindler from Mississippi’s Shore Thing Fishing Charters catches seatrout year-round, but he loves spring most. “In early spring, the fish are emerging from deep water and the shrimp return to the marsh,” he says…