KEATON BEACH

Icanonly tell you how much I have been looking forward to March, at Keaton, since December. Quite a few years ago, reds were closed in February (no one knows why) and March meant reds were back open again. Then, for several years, trout were closed in January and February, so we looked forward to March for that. Now, I just look forward to March for the warmer water temps, which bring us some of the biggest trout of the year, for those willing to fish for them. I caught my largest to date in March, and also lost my largest trout to date in March.

So, once the Gulf water temps hold 65 degrees overnight “It is ON”. Trout fishing is simply at its best. Now that means topwater, “true topwater” i.e. “Walking the Dog” using stickbaits, like SheDogs, Skitterwalks, and ZaraSpooks. They will be fast and furious early and late in the day in shallows near creek channels, troughs and on adjacent grass flats.

Once the pelagic (migratory) OS when you begin throwing your surface plugs at them. If they aren’t eating the natural baits around you, it isn’t so easy to catch them on your toys. Keep a rod with a soft jerkbait close, and follow up on missed strikes on plugs, especially if you are in a hurry to get your five in the boat. www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541

So far, I have only touched on topwater in March, but almost every other technique and artificial bait will also take trout and reds in March.

Assassin Sea Shads and other paddletails, Assassin 5-inch shads and other soft jerkbaits, rigged on a jighead or combined with a Cajun Thunder, will all produce limits of trout in March.

Reds will eat spoons and jigspinners as well as plastics and synthetic baits fished on jigheads. Overall March is a wonderful month, and I hope you get a chance to come to Keaton Beach and enjoy it.

Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 30 years!