EDGEWATER BACKCOUNTRY FORECAST

Rising water temperatures during March signals the northward migration of all sorts of both inshore and offshore fish along the Atlantic coast. Bait fish such as mullet, sardines, pilchards, and glass minnows, as well as game fish being jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish, black drum, tarpon, Spanish mackerel and pompano are among the inshore species that swim back north in spring. Schools of jacks, blues and ladies come through the ICW during early spring making for fast action with these hard fighting, catch-and-release game fish. Early morning can see surface striking activity along the Intracoastal or old channel in Edgewater.Fish are attacking spring run shrimp or glass minnows. Cast a shrimp, bait fish, artificial imitation or fly in the busting fish for a fast hook up. Mackerel or trout can also be caught in this surface activity. Look for diving birds or surface strikes. These fish are not always visible on top; they can be stacked up down deep on channel edges, shoreline drop-offs, points and creek mouths with good current flow.

We will hope for a good spring shrimp run this year as every fish—big and small—swimming in our inshore waters eats shrimp, so you can’t go wrong using them for bait. Use select size hooked through the trimmed tail for a long cast to sight fished reds and trout in skinny water; regular size shrimp free lined or with a small split shot on the drop offs and in holes for mixed bag action; throw them at surface-feeding fish in the channel, on the bottom in black drum spots, and at the Ponce Inlet jetties; small live or peeled frozen for sheepshead on dock and bridge pilings; and peeled shrimp work great for surf fishing.

Nighttime dock light fishing will improve this month with rising water temps and shrimp on the move riding the outgoing tide. Lighted docks on both sides of Ponce Inlet, into the ICW at New Smyrna, around the bridges, south into Edgewater and Oak Hill can be very fishy. A flowing tide is a must, with outgoing always a good choice. Closer to the inlet may hold more bluefish and jacks and, as you go south, seatrout will become the main target species. “Go to” bait is a simple free lined live shrimp, or try small size artificials. Fly fishing can be great at the dock lights with a shrimp imitation.

Redfish, seatrout and sheepshead patterns can stay in winter patterns during March as the water is still cool. Lagoon redfish stay schooled with chilly water and become more scattered after the water warms a little. Stay shallow, fish the flats, oyster and shell bars, and sloughs with select size tail-hooked live shrimp, live finger mullet, mud minnows and scented soft plastics. Quality trout in the same places and tactics as for reds, with schools of smaller trout usually in deeper water. Try drop-offs, holes and channel edges; light colored swimming tail jigs are a good lure choice here.

It’s just one of those days; good vibrations, little wind, no current.

I just got back from Guatemala last night. I couldn’t wait to set up on the beach for surf fishing this morning. Some people say the water is too cold and the fish went south. But my rod started to bamba full tilt with a big stud pompano. A big bend, it took some line, ran, and then flopped up on the beach! 18 inches to the tail (on crab knuckles). A quality fish, what a way to start the day!

The good news is how green and clear the water is. There hasn’t been a lot of current and the ocean is back to its form, providing us with some great fishing days. The cooler weather is upon us, but the water is staying warmish, 60° to 65°.

Getting three beautiful stud pompanos a day is a great way to go through the end of this run.

It’s cold and windy today. I have my legs wrapped up in a thick, old towel (like Grandma) trying to stay out of the wind. It’s a late season this year, probably due to the Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. There are still no beach ramps being worked on in this area and only two access points—the ramp on Toronita and a beach ramp by Jerry’s Pizza down in Ponce—and that’s it.

The storms have really devastated our area and there’s a race on to get the seawalls put back up before more Nor’easters or hurricanes hit this area. Lots of trucks, plows, cranes, backhoes and earth moving equipment run up and down the beach. You have to keep totally aware of what’s going on.

It’s now the next day. It’s very windy, still. Right now, it’s morning and I’m out here. It’s a beautiful windy day. The wind is from the northwest and the ocean is flattening, but moving. I’m hugging a wall, sitting in front, in the sun. Ya, mon!

Well, now the rod just did a bomba. It didn’t take, so I’ll cast it back in the same spot. Ya, mon! It hit! A nice run and a good catch: pompano.

I’m heading home from the edge of the ocean, and starting over again, just like Stick Figure says. These fish are heading to the smoker, and so am I.

Z-Man’s 3 inch paddle tail in chartreuse, white and root beer colors, and in a hard bait I like the 3 inch SS Minnow.

Look for mullet schools lumping out of the water and cast any floating lure or spoon and reel fast in front of the school or in the middle because the fish chasing will most likely be jacks.

Night fishing under the bridges in the intracoastal using crabs or large shrimp can yield some big drum.

Can’t wait for my new Caymas 26! They are building my new boat, so if you see me on the water let me know how you like it.

CAPT. BARRY ENGLEHARDT

Fish With Captain Barry fishwithcaptainbarry.com

(386) 871-8500

1998 ACTION CRAFT 2020 FLATS MASTER with 200 Mercury Optimax with 450 hours. Aluminum Trailer Included. $18,500. 321-306-9891

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2018 COBIA 21’ BAY with 2018 Yamaha 115 with 1655 hours. New 2023 Galvanized Magic Tilt Trailer $23,000. 321-306-9891

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