AndAlusiA MArine’s it's An electronic world!

By Capt. Josh Anderson

Our life is surrounded, almost dictated by, electronics. With every passing day we become a society more dependent on electronic devices to complete every day tasks. Going way past cell phones, we now use electronic devices to order our fast food, deposit our pay checks, secure our homes, and even diagnose our health concerns. Fishing and boating are certainly not exempt from this phenomenon. Each year, manufacturers roll out larger more powerful electronics for the boating world. Keeping up with the changes in technology and features can be mind numbing. However, utilizing the latest technology can make our boating and fishing lives much less stressful and help maximize our time on the water.

In the pleasure boating world; We can now have satellite imagery navigational charts and real time engine data (think fuel economy monitoring) at our fingertips via touch screen displays. We can connect our cell phones to these marine displays if we choose to, allowing us to keep our phones tucked away safe and dry while not missing texts, calls, notifications, etc.

In the fishing world; real time, forward facing sonar has taken over as the predominant “must have” electronic device. Much like playing a video game, these devices allow the fisherman to watch his lure and the targeted fish move in real time for precise lure presentation and adjustment. This technology, combined with the ever popular side imaging sonar technology that has been available for the last decade or so make fishing as much about finding fish electronically as anything. While some anglers view this technology as “unfair”; the overwhelming majority have scrambled to purchase, install, and become effective with it.

We owe it to ourselves as boaters to make the most of our time on the water by utilizing the best technology our budget allows for. With the constant improvements in the world of marine electronics; discontinued models are almost always available at discounted prices to allow new users to save significant amounts of money as they enter the market. Do yourself a favor and spend some time becoming familiar with the current offerings in the marine electronics worldyou may find something you didn’t even know you needed!

Fishing Forecast

The tides are changing this month as we spring into one of the best fishing times of the year folks. The official date of Spring 2023 is March 20...as the tide levels rise so does the water temperture Inshore on the Forgotten Coast. We have already seen water temps in low 60's last month in February. The Redfish & Sheephead are still chewing on the tops and bottoms of the tide table. Let's recap....both of these species are staging in the passes...still....and schooling up nearshore to migrate back on our shallow water bay flats and backwaters. This is a great time for catch-and-relelase your Trophy Bull Redfish and Monster Sheephead which make outstanding table fair.

All the inlets are key, deep rocky ledges & moving water, the current will be slowing down to the change of tide than increasing afterward. This gives Anglers an advantage of a great bite without the trouble of keeping our baits down. Our FFP 4000 Reels on a Bull Bay Assault MH fast action rod handles the full spectrum of the perfect slot Reds to 40"+ Bulls, while the FFP 2500 reels on a Assault M-ML X-fast for the Sheephead. The bait of choice for Redfish in these areas is live White Shrimp or fresh Local Shrimp not frozen. The Sheephead bait of choice is a Fiddler Crab or small (1.5"2.5") live Shrimp. If your feeling adventurous, these fine creatures are caught near grassy edges of the shallows on lower incoming tides...or you can stop by Fisherman's Choice (Eastpoint).

The Light-Tackle & Fly Fishing is stellar this month in between the NE fronts. Its always the case this time of the year, but Wow, those days of glass waters with a flood tide can be epic. The moving water from deep ledges on to the flats as well as nearshore islands are perfect areas for staging fish while bait fish pass those key ambush points. We are still fishing artificial lures very slowly and aggressive (doesn't mean fast). It means very specific and meaningful casts with the perfect presentation. The lures of choice are the basics...Gold or Silver Spoons and Bucktail Jigs. The Gulp plastics (swim baits) on 1/8"-1/2"oz Jigheads (red or pink) will often produce an aggressive bite in spotty sandy areas with grass edges or structure.

The highlight species of March comes with the beginning of Spring. Typically, when the water temps change to high 60's. Can I say Pompano! Pompano! Pompano! The migrating fish will be caught on the outside beaches facing the Gulf of Mexico. Many of these Pompano can range from 1 to 5 pound fish which give an amazing fight on fast action equipment. There are many pre-made pompano rigs ranging from single to tandem to triple. Most of will be a personal preference to your style, but the amount of weight used will be specific to where & when you are fishing. The key on the beach is to place the bait(s) on the back edge of the first trough or if you're lucky, between the sand bars which are slightly deeper. The bait of choice on these frisky fish is Sand Fleas or Ghost Shrimp...most of which take time to find & collect, but your work will definitely play off. The next best bait will be small live shrimp (tail hooked) or Fish Bites, preferably sand flea or orange color(s). Color is very important for Pompano. The migration from East to West are in sync with the spawning of Sand Flea's...please note the orange eggs on the underside of the females.

The most challenging light tackle or fly fishing for Pompano comes at Sunrise and Sunset. Sight fishing these fish are absolutely amazing this time of year while they can be found in areas in schools of 50+ migrating down the nearshore...and...occasionally a feeding frenzy like no other. Can you tell...One of my favorite times of the year to hone my skills this fine species of fish. So much Fun! This is a perfect time to treat yourself to an Inshore Fishing Charter with one of top Local Guides!

As always, I look forward to seeing all of you this Spring fishing the Forgotten Coast with family & friends. Please remember to respect our waters and other anglers. There is a growing number of anglers on the Forgotten Coast but our bay is a smaller bay with a limited resource. Conservation Groups with some local captains are working hard at various sustainable practices in Apalachicola Bay. We are blessed with an amazing fishery but it takes everyone from Captains to Guests on Vacation to keep this paradise healthy.

Let’s grow with Florida together.