It’s an epidemic as spring fever hits the Big Bend/Forgotten Coast the next couple of months. Now that Old Man Winter has finally loosened his icy grip, anglers are taking to the water in droves, even if that means skipping school or calling in sick to work. Fishing is just that good.

For starters, trout and redfish, our bread-and-butter gamesters, are settling back into their usual haunts. School-sized trout will be taking up station on the region’s expansive grass flats. Returning pinfish, finger mullet and shrimp are the enticement as the trout try to bulk up after the lean winter. These same baits suspended under a popping or clacking cork will draw plenty of strikes. DOA standard shrimp, jig tails with grubs or topwater plugs are equally effective. Concentrate efforts on sandy potholes, depressions or drop-offs. A temperature gauge is helpful to locate warmer water early, but once it reaches 70 degrees, it’s game on.

As is always the case, the bigger trout will be loners, often holding in water depths of less than three feet. Structure such as oyster bars, rocks or the kelp-like grass that grows around rocky bottom serve as ambush points for “gator” trout. These trophies prefer sizable meals, so large baits such as the Rapala Skitterwalk, MirrOlure Top Dogs or the Hall ‘Em In wooden plugs will attract attention. Keep in mind, however, that big trout are breeding females so it’s best to let them go after a quick photo. If you want some for dinner, stick with the smaller males that are under 20 inches in size.

The large schools of redfish that are common during the winter months will be breaking apart by now. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reds around. Singles, pairs and small groups will be fanning out all along the coast. If I’m focusing on reds I’ll be casting around creek mouths, grass points and oyster bars with an Aqua Dream spoon. Pink is always a good spring color, with chartreuse, silver and gold backup options. When spoon-feeding reds, work the lure slowly so it wobbles just off the bottom.

March also marks the return of pelagics to Northwest Florida, with pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel leading the way. Look for tasty pompano around sandy areas like the West Flats and gulfside of the barrier islands. Shiny bullet jigs dressed with pink, yellow, white or chartreuse nylon skirts get mistaken for sand fleas. But pompano will also eat fresh peeled shrimp, bucktail jigs or shrimp imitations. A medium-light-action spinning outfit provides ample sport for these scrappy fighters.

Roving packs of bluefish will bend plenty of rods this time of year, too. If you get into them (the area’s many nearshore shoals are great places to look), use the opportunity to clean out your tackle box, since blues are never too persnickety as long as the lure is moving. Topwater plugs like ChugBugs in chrome variations work well, along with metals such as Kastmasters, Clarkes or Gotchas. If you’re stingy with your tackle, crimp on a six-inch trace of wire leader. Otherwise, 40-pound monofilament leaders will generate more strikes.

The same rules apply to Spanish mackerel. You’ll lose a few with mono leaders, but you’ll catch a lot more. One of my favorite mackerel rigs is a 3/8-ounce diamond jig. It looks just like the glass minnows Spanish love to gobble and it casts a country mile. Another old Cracker trick is a McDonald’s soda straw cut at an angle and slid over a 3/0 straight-shank hook. When the mackerel and blues are thick, it can be non-stop action, which is a perfect scenario for junior anglers who tend to get bored easily.

If this still isn’t enough, cobia will be back again by April. We don’t get the epic runs like our neighbors do in the Panhandle, but we do enjoy a bountiful stock nonetheless. Look for brown bombers around channel markers and pilings. Bucktail jigs up to 1 1/2-ounces are my favorite offerings for ling. Live pinfish or finger mullet are also good choices. And if you can find them, a live eel is seldom refused.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy one of the best times to be on the water. You definitely won’t regret it.

Capt. Dave Lear

www.captaindavelear.com