What can I catch while I’m there on vacation? That’s one of our most common questions and we built a page just for it! This page shows monthly weather, sea conditions and fish we can catch out of Port Canaveral. This guide combines Sea Leveler’s detailed catch records and fishing reports with Captain Greg’s 30+ years of local fishing experience. Select the month you are visiting Florida.
Want a quick reference? Click Offshore, Nearshore or Long Range to view the full fishing calendar.
Fishing in March
March can offer excellent fishing out of Port Canaveral, and half-day offshore trips can work very well. Longer offshore trips can add bottom fishing while the water transitions toward spring. Nearshore fishing is also a strong choice, especially for families, with sheepshead and black drum among the highlights.
March on the water
Days generally warm up through March, with comfortable afternoons and cooler mornings. Cold fronts and breezy stretches can continue, though fronts are usually less severe than in February. Some years settle into spring earlier than others.
Sea conditions
March brings good offshore windows between windy periods. When conditions settle, half-day trips can provide very good fishing within reach of the shorter outing.
If frequent cold fronts continue later into March, offshore water can remain cool and less clear, making shorter offshore trips more challenging. Nearshore fishing or a three-quarter-day or full-day offshore trip may then be a better fit. Longer trips give the captain more time to reach productive water and work different areas.
What to wear
Plan for anything from cold to hot for a March trip. Wear light, comfortable layers, with a sweatshirt or fleece and a wind-resistant jacket for cool mornings or breezy days. Long pants are useful on cooler trips, while warmer afternoons may suit shorts. Wear secure shoes with good grip, and bring sunglasses and sun protection.
Fish you might encounter
No species are currently listed for this month.
*Larger names highlight stronger seasonal opportunities. Some species are catch-and-release; harvest rules apply.*
March gets busy with spring-break visitors, so book ahead, particularly for weekends. A half-day offshore trip can be a great choice when conditions cooperate. If cold fronts keep coming later into the month, we may recommend switching to nearshore or giving us more time offshore with a three-quarter-day or full-day trip. The recent weather and fishing matter more than the calendar alone. Nearshore is also an excellent first choice for families who want light-tackle fishing close to the port. — Capt Greg
Your March trip options
Half Day Offshore
Half-day offshore trips can work very well in March when productive trolling water is within reach. King mackerel may be joined by bonito, sailfish, occasional blackfin tuna, or a rare wahoo. The captain works the areas producing the best bite, with the species mix depending on conditions.
Cold fronts can leave offshore water cool and less clear, making trolling more challenging. Sometimes we can switch to bottom fishing or nearshore fishing when water clarity is an issue, depending on conditions.
¾ Day or Full Day Offshore
A ¾ Day gives the captain more time to reach productive water, work different areas, and stay with the bite. A nine-hour Full Day adds access and fishing time for deeper opportunities, including amberjack and vermilion snapper. Bottom fishing can be particularly useful while closer offshore water remains cool or less clear.
Longer trips can help when lingering cold fronts make the shorter offshore options less productive. They still require suitable sea conditions.
Nearshore / Family Fun
March offers very good nearshore fishing around the port, jetties, and nearby beach. Sheepshead and black drum can be especially good, with live shrimp producing a varied catch around structure. Nearshore / Family Fun is a strong choice for younger children, first-time anglers, and guests who prefer to stay close to shore.
Nearshore may also be a good alternative when lingering fronts make offshore fishing more challenging. The captain chooses workable areas based on the actual conditions.
Shark Fishing
Nearshore shark fishing generally becomes more consistent as water temperatures rise through March. Blacknose, finetooth, and Atlantic sharpnose are among the sharks Greg mentions in the spring mix. A dedicated shark trip focuses on finding where sharks are holding along the beach.
Recent water temperatures, weather, and the bite influence the fishing. A late cold spell can change the pattern, so the captain follows current activity.
Swordfish Specialty
Swordfish are a year-round possibility on dedicated long-range trips. March can offer opportunities when the captain can reach the fishing grounds and present baits effectively. This is a specialized outing focused on swordfish, separate from regular offshore fishing.
A suitable offshore forecast and workable current are essential. Contact Capt. Greg about conditions before choosing this trip.
Yellowfin Tuna Specialty
Yellowfin opportunities can begin in March on dedicated long-range trips aboard Sea Trident. The captain searches for feeding bird packs on the other side of the Gulf Stream. March is an early-season possibility, with stronger seasonal opportunities generally developing in April and May.
The recent bite and a suitable forecast for the long run determine whether this is a worthwhile choice. Contact Capt. Greg before planning around yellowfin in March.
Deep Drop Fishing
A dedicated deep-drop trip explores deep-water grounds beyond the regular offshore fishing areas. Specialized electric-reel tackle offers opportunities for deep-water grouper and golden tilefish while the season remains open. The captain works different depths and drifts to locate productive bottom.
The golden tilefish closing date varies annually, so the captain confirms the current season before planning the trip. Available targets also depend on current harvest rules, the offshore forecast, and workable current.
Mahi Specialty
A dedicated mahi trip aboard Sea Trident gives the captain more time to search clean blue water, current edges, weed lines, and floating debris. This trip suits anglers whose main priority is mahi and who enjoy covering water to find them.
Recent reports and offshore conditions help determine whether a dedicated mahi trip is a worthwhile choice. Mahi can also be encountered on regular offshore trips.
Long-Range Bottom Fishing
Head north toward St. Augustine for a dedicated long-range bottom-fishing trip, targeting offshore structure for grouper, snapper, amberjack and almaco jack. The species mix depends on conditions and open harvest seasons.
A good weather window can open up a worthwhile snapper trip north toward St. Augustine, with mangrove and mutton snapper possible. Opportunities depend on water conditions and the bite.