Inshore Fishing Report
Welcome back to the Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle Fishing Report. It’s been a few months since the last report and I would like to apologize for the long gap on getting you all an up to date fishing report. With that said, I would like to welcome you all to our new location at Zeke’s
Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle, Inc.
The move provided us with an additional 800 square feet in retail shopping space giving our customers a much more comfortable shopping environment. Additional space allowed us to expand our live bait capabilities by adding a new 580 and 200 gallon live bait tank. Shrimp, bull minnows, eels, and more will all be available throughout the fishing season. Last, we are adding Golf Cart Rentals to our repertoire. Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly rentals are available and RESERVATIONS are encouraged. Delivery and pick up of the carts is included. Multiple carts are available. Email us with any questions or to reserve your cart today at info@mofishin.biz.
Now, to the more important things in life! The fishing has been just what we expect in the later half of February and the first half of March. Cooler water temperatures (about 58-62 degrees) still have the fish a little on the shy side. But don’t fret too much; warmer weather is on the way! We are expecting temperatures to reach the high 70s over the weekend! With this should come a little hungrier to fish chase!
The tides will remain strong throughout the remainder of the week and should start neaping on Tuesday the 10th. The stronger tides along with the warmer air should make for a better weekend to get on the water and hunt a few fish down! Look for the pass to continue to produce some sheepshead and a handful of redfish. The rocks, bridge, and Caribe docks have all been holding sheepshead. Getting them to bite has been the tricky part lately. With their annual spawn just coming to an end; expect the sheepshead to become a little more active on the eating end of things. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas all work well. Look for redfish around the bases of the bridge pilings around high tide and low tide. Live shrimp and an assortment of live bait fish will work well for hard pulling fish. A simple
With the warming weather pattern, look for pompano to begin showing in and around the pass as well as on the beach front. Connor’s Hand Tied pompano jigs tipped with shrimp or Gulp sand fleas work extremely well for hungry pompano and sheepshead. Two hook floating pompano or whiting rigs work well while fishing the open beach. Along with the pompano, anglers have been catching some nice whiting on the beach as well. Peeled fresh dead shrimp have been the bait of choice for those seeking whiting. Last, but not least, there has still been some bull red sightings along the beach when the north winds blow into the area. Trolling Stretch 25s and vertical jigging large curly tails has still been the most effective methods of landing bull reds.
The inland areas surrounding the ICW have started showing signs of life. Speckled trout fishing around mouths of creeks and in the ICW has been a little inconsistent due to the large fluctuations in temperatures. Warmer afternoons along with higher tides have been the best days to head to interior waters to look for specs! Live shrimp either free lined or suspended under a small popping cork have been the best methods for bait fishermen. If you are fishing in more than 9’ of water, a small split shot may be necessary to get the shrimp down to the bottom. Plastic fishermen have been having success on a variety of MirrOlures such as the MirrODine, Catch Jr., and 7Ms. Soft plastics such as the Zoom Fluke, Fin-S fluke, and Gulp Shrimp have been equally effective as well. Look for trout fishing to start showing significant signs of improvement over the next several weeks as warmer weather moves in!
Finally, a checklist for those getting their boats out of storage for the first time this year:
- Check fuel and oil levels
- Check battery voltage as well as fullness. Only fill with distilled water.
- Check batter terminals and connections for excess corrosion.
- Check running and anchor lights for proper functions.
- Check fire extinguishers and flares for expirations and proper function.
- Check for adequate life jackets for each passenger aboard the vessel.
- Check for a throwable cushion.
- Check for a sound producing device.
- Check for a paddle.
- Check for registration. Be sure it’s current and numbers and letters are all correct and current on exterior of boat.
- Check fishing license ensuring it’s current.
- Check for bow and stern ropes.
- Check for anchor and adequate anchor rope, chain, shackles, etc.
- Check air pressure on trailer tires.
- Grease wheel bearings on trailer tires.
- Fully inspect trailer (i.e. wheels, tires, axles, bearings, springs, straps, winches) for any apparent malfunctions that would deem you unsafe on the highway.
- Fully inspect boat from top to bottom and bow to stern for any apparent malfunctions, damage, or breakage. Hard to fix these problems at the boat ramp!
Thanks again to all our valued patrons! Without you, we would not exist! You are truly appreciated! Have a great 2009 fishing season!
Thanks and Good Fishin,
