Captain Greg's Fishing Report for March 2016
Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and Orlando
February's Action
February didn’t hold back with the wind and waves, but fortunately it did give us a few calm days, and overall the fishing was fairly good. The king mackerel stayed around in good numbers, but they were definitely on the move with different bodies of fish that didn’t stay in one area long. Big sandbar sharks were everywhere and they provide a fun fight and great pictures. Sharks sure make it difficult sometimes to catch a whole amberjack or big king mackerel. We had fantastic bottom fishing for amberjack, grouper, and snapper (we can only keep amberjack). Yes we did see a few phenomenal days of cobia fishing when all the conditions lined up: water temp, bait, and sunshine.
Near shore continued to be tough. There were a few cobia inside of 10 miles at the very end of the month along with a few tripletail. The shark fishing was very hit and miss, but we did catch a handful of those big sand tiger sharks that I mentioned last month. Along the beach was good for whiting, croakers, and spots, but I didn’t see or hear much in the way of pompano.
March's Near Shore Fishing Forecast
My hope for March is that we will get more than a 2 day stretch of calm seas. The water inside of 10 miles should go to a clean green and warm up just a touch. I expect to see good numbers of cobia and tripletail for our sight fishing enjoyment. Shark fishing should be fantastic with a nice variety in the types of sharks we catch. The surf should be good with whiting, and the occasional pompano still being caught, plus I think we could have good action with jack crevalle, occasional slot red drum, sheep head, and snook for those willing to work the locks, jetties, and beach.
March's Offshore Fishing Forecast
We all know March is the month a lot of anglers wait for all year. We call in sick, fake deaths in the family, or save up vacation days for it. Why does this happen? Because the thought of catching cobia makes people loose there freaking minds that’s why. I think we will have a phenomenal cobia season, so put your bumpers out and stock up on jigs because it should be game on. March is usually hit and miss for king mackerel, but I think they will be a top catch species for this March. The kings will be on the small side, so you can expect a few nice wahoo that are snacking on small kings in the mix. Everything seems to be lining up for great slow trolling. Right now we have great temperature, plenty of bait, and water clarity is just right, so with any luck, conditions will hold, and I think they will. The bottom fishing will be phenomenal. Yes, I know we can only keep amberjack, but the key to finding new productive bottom spots is to test them when the bottom fishing is good. Who knows, they may just open red snapper again one day. Big sandbar sharks and hammerhead sharks will be abundant, so if a shark is on your check list, then the time is now.
I don’t know if we will see any effects from the lake O discharge, but if we do, we may have some hard color changes. Depending on the depth, we might catch dolphin fish and sail fish, but I don’t think there will be quantity. If the color change is between 30ft and a 100ft, it will be prime time location to look for cobia. Tight lines and safe fishing!
About Captain Greg's Reports and Forecast
Captain Greg has been fishing the waters of Port Canaveral and the Atlantic for over 30 years. He has the largest and most highly rated private charter business in Port Canaveral, Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters. Greg and his team of full time captains fish well over 200 days each per year. We have kept detailed catch history for every trip ran since 2010. You can access this history at www.sealeveler.com/reports. His engineer wife, Amber, has analyzed the catch history along with other historical data such as water temperature and weather patterns. Greg uses his fishing experience and knowledge along with his wife’s statistical analysis to bring you the best fishing report available for Port Canaveral. Greg will give you the honest truth on how the fishing has been along with his best prediction of what to expect by using all of this information.
Nice to hear that you have a good attitude. Thanks