Fishing conditions and spring-break outlook from March 2023.
Welcome, spring breakers and winter refugees! If you are looking forward to some sunshine and a day on the water, you are in the right place. There are good options for fishing, snorkeling, and enjoying the shallows this month.
I keep the website updated to answer the questions that come up most often. When I am running a trip, my attention is on the guests aboard, so I do not answer the phone. Evenings after about 6–7 p.m. are usually a better time to reach me. Leave a message, and give me a little time to review the schedule and weather before I get back to you.
Leave Some Flexibility in Your Spring-Break Plan
March and April are still part of our windier season. We get beautiful days between the fronts, but wind can bring waves and reduce visibility, changing which activities make sense.
Start with something your whole group would enjoy and feel comfortable doing. We can plan around your first choice, then adjust if the conditions call for it. Tell me about everyone’s experience and interests so I can explain the realistic options.
Lobster trips are not on my spring schedule. My own operating window is August through October, even though the statewide season extends beyond those months. Cooler water, unreliable visibility, and limited local opportunities do not make the spring trip I want to offer.
Reef Fishing Is the Star of the Show
Reef fishing has been very good. Unusually warm temperatures have brought some summer-like patterns into the picture earlier than expected.
Yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, and mackerel have been keeping anglers busy, along with grouper released on these March outings.
This is a good option for guests who want a variety of catches and the possibility of fresh fillets for lunch or dinner. Beginners can learn the basics, while more experienced anglers still have plenty to work on. I adjust the approach to the conditions and the people aboard.
Warmer Water Is Opening Up Snorkeling Options
Snorkeling has become a possibility again as the water warms. During the week leading into this report, I have seen temperatures around 77°F and some exceptionally clear periods between wind events.
Those conditions can change, so we will discuss the outlook closer to your trip. I will use the information available and what we find on the water to choose a suitable location.
A sandbar stop can be another option when reef visibility is poor, provided we have suitable conditions in a more protected area. Sometimes a relaxed visit to the shallows fits the group better than trying to make the original plan work.
Thanks for reading. I am looking forward to sharing more spring days on the water with you.
Ready to work a boat day into your spring-break plans? Tell me when you are here and what your group would like to do. We can talk through the fishing, snorkeling, and sandbar possibilities and choose a sensible plan for your visit.
