March has arrived and our temps are showing signs of the, soon to be here, summer. The winds can still make for a hard day on the water but all in all the days are nice. The fish of Mobile Bay are on the move this month.

The Sheepshead should be everywhere there is structure, all the way from the close in gas rigs to the Cause Way and points north. Most of the rivers will hold them as well. Sheepshead (bay snapper) can be caught using shrimp or small crabs. Fish under a small cork close to the structure. If there are big numbers of fish, the bite may be hard and fast. If there are only a few around then the bite may be a standard, soft Sheepshead bite. If only a few fish can be found at your spot try to chum a little with frozen chopped shrimp or scoops of scrapings collected from the boat ramp pier or from some bridge supports. The scrapings will be loaded with worms, small crabs and other creatures that Sheepshead fed on.

Along with Sheepshead you may hook a few Red Fish as they tend to hang in the same areas and feed on the same baits. I use #4 kahle hooks and 12 pound test mono under a 3 inch split cigar cork with two short pegs to secure the cork. It’s easy to adjust or remove and offers little resistance to the bite. It also makes a small splash when casting to spooky Sheepshead.

March will also see a movement of schools of Speckled Trout to almost all areas of Mobile Bay. Most inshore man-made reefs will have trout on them as will the shallow areas at creek or river mouths—good time to try your luck with top water. Live shrimp under popping corks as well as soft plastics will do the trick, too. Red fish will be all over the bay and reefs as well. Flounder will also be mixed in with all the other fish. It’s a good time to try for the Alabama Grand Slam.

Ground Mullet or Whiting can be caught at the light house and around the inshore rigs. Dead shrimp will do the trick. White trout will be near the inshore and off shore rigs. Use plastics, dead or live shrimp, or cut bait. White Trout are great eating fish and when you find them you can catch more than you want to clean. Try to save a few for the summer trips. Dixey Bar will be a little slow but not dead. Use live bait fish on the bottom with some heavier line on the bar or at the Light House. The off shore rigs will hold some Bull Reds as well. Be easy with the Bull Reds and release as many as you can. I try to only keep slot Reds and release all the large ones.

While March is a great fishing month, it can also be a little windy and rough on the water. Stay dry and keep your safety equipment in order and at hand. In my boat, the number one rule is "stay in the boat." There are plenty of creatures in the bay and the gulf that can do you harm or cause you pain. A little safety and caution goes a long way in making your fishing trip one to have good memories of rather than bad ones. Stay safe and dry, know and obey the laws and have a great day.