March 3rd 2022 – Environmentally speaking one of the worst things to a fisherman is the winds. High winds can really make life difficult on a boat when you are trying to fish. The winds are going to blow, expecially when we are Fishing Key West in March. So far in my years I have yet to learn how to stop them. However I may have learned how to fish in them more comfortably. I learned the fact backcountry or flats fishing is a great way to go for fishing here in Key West in March.
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March Can Be Windy Here in Key West!
I have cursed it my whole career but had to face the facts. We are busy in March and people want to go fishing. It’s easy math. Figure out a way to get folks on the water without beating the hell out of them or getting them sick and still rips some lips or put lunch in the box. March fishing can be pretty tough with the hard Easterly winds that are produced by the Bermuda high that establishes over the eastern seaboard every year at this time. It is not uncommon for March to have 20 – 25 knot winds for 10 – 30 days straight, sometimes lasting all the way into April.
Backcountry Fishing When Its Windy
When it is windy backcountry fishing is a great way to go fishing here in Key West. The backcountry waters are littered with islands and shallow flats. This makes it almost impossible for winds to whip up any sizable waves that might make a day of fishing unbearable for our anglers. Folks often book backcountry fishing charters in March simply because they know it will not get cancelled due to high winds. Now it’s easy to see why this is the most popular way to go fishing in Key West by far in the month of March.
When we head out getting in and among the islands is our goal. Good news, this is where the fish are. Some of the channels are only 100 feet wide and the edges are less than two feet deep. This makes it impossible for a chop of over 1ft to form. Many of the spots we go fishing in March are focused on tarpon fishing. The tarpon are in these channels looking for a snack. A live bait or artificial lure casted in the right spot can reward our anglers with one of Key West’s best trophy fish the Tarpon.
Backcountry Fishing On Bay Boats
My bay boats are a great answer during the winds of March to get people out on the flats and backcountry to go fishing. Back in 2005 I made the move to add some bay boats in my collection of tools for fishing here in Key West. In addition to my flats fishing skiffs and my offshore center console. A great move it was. A bay boat could get me and my anglers shallow enough to fish the flats for bonefish, permit and any other shallow water fish with ease. Making it even better was the used a trolling motor. Problem solved.. Or was it?
Convincing my long time flats fishing clients to go fishing on a bay boat was tough. They were so used to me being on a flats fishing skiff and poling for them to target trophy fish it was a bit of a transition. Most of them saw the light and some of them never went with me on a flats fishing skiff again after they had so many opportunities to catch different fish more comfortably in a bay boat. Over all it was a win.
Flats Fishing In March
Tough conditions prevail when fishing in March here in Key West. As I have mentioned it can be windy. Good news is the fishing on the flats in March can be amazing. Not only are the fish there, but they are easier to approach in windy conditions. Hungry and less aware due to the ambient noise a windy day. As a flats guide I take advantage of this. My favorite species to fish for on the flats in the windy days of March are the permit and barracuda.
With new carbon materials and state of the art hull designs my bay boats are the perfect tool for flats fishing on windy days in March. The targeted species are not super shallow so my trolling motor is the perfect soluton for covering lots of ground and getting my anglers numerous shots.
So, if you love fishing and want to go fishing in March but dont want to get beat up by the winds and waves. Dont want to get seasick. Go Backcountry fishing. There is a good chance you will have some shots at tarpon and many other species. It is always a great idea to call us directly and we will go over all your options..
Call Us… 1-305-292-7212
Text Us…1-786-847-3808
Email Me Steven@fishingkeywest.com
