Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook 3-5-25

Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook 3-5-25
By David “The Pierpounder” Thornton

Our previous fortnight provided some wonderful February weather for from-shore anglers. Several weeks of above normal temperatures with often sunny skies drove the water temps to rebound to around 70 degrees. That is well above average, bringing in an early run of spanish mackerel much to the delight of local and visiting anglers at the Gulf State Park Pier and even the Seawall at Perdido Pass. Alas, cooler more seasonable weather returned, but the water temperature has remained above average for early March.
We can expect this trend to continue as we enter the notorious lion period of March weather when frequent and powerful spring storm systems sweep across the continent. Intermittent bouts of wind and rain can bring an abrupt end to the winter serenity and ultra clear Gulf water we have seen, but that is typical for mid-March. This is the period we see a change of seasons as well as the clocks, magnifying the impression of longer daylight hours.
It is also the time of year when the daily tidal progression shifts to mostly rising tides throughout the daylight hours. The general exception to this will occur around the NEAP tides of March 14th and 15th when the tide table resets for the next lunar fortnight. The daily tidal variation will be highest between March 5th through 10th, and again after March 19th. These will likely signal better surf fishing periods depending (of course) on the amount of winds and waves of any given day.
With the sun’s rays now growing stronger as astronomical winter draws to a close, the Gulf water temperatures typically rise into the middle 60s. This triggers a springtime explosion of life in the Gulf starting with microscopic plants and animals but extending up through the foodchain. Native species like sheepshead and squid prepare to spawn even while the first pelagic fish species (primarily spanish mackerel) begin migrating into the area.
Spanish mackerel typically feed on small minnows, but this time of year they often feast on abundant squid in the warming coastal waters. Small, fast-moving lures like the ¾ ounce white Looney jigs, or multi-hook Gotcha plugs are the norm to catch a mess of mackerel in a short period of time. And often that is all the time anglers have before the school of migrating mackerel moves on. Larger sized Sabiki rigs work well then for landing multiple numbers of the 12” to 14” mackerel while they are present. Not as sporting perhaps, but a fun way to gather a mess of tasty mackerel for the table.
Sheepshead, spurred on by warming waters and longer days move toward the Gulf passes and beyond, gathering into pre-spawn aggregations around hard structures such as rocks and piling.
Even though sheepshead are omnivorous feeders (eating both animal and vegetable prey) the sudden influx of large numbers of individuals soon locally depletes their food supply on and around these structures. At the same time their bodies are bulking up to spawn and their appetites increase along with competition in the school. This makes the normally docile and wary sheepshead feed more aggressively, so they become easier targets for anglers. The majority of sheepshead caught on hook and line are landed during March and April, centering on their spawning period.
Because of their varied diet and relative abundance, the firm white flesh of sheepshead is quite desirable as table fare and can be prepared in a variety of ways. But since their popularity with anglers has grown, the population of sheepshead continues to shrink. This has prompt ed Alabama Marine Resources to consider adjusting the creel limit downward from its current level of 10 per angler per day.
The hope is this move will protect the breeding population enough to sustain this fishery at least at current levels. Sheepshead are a long-lived species, growing to mature size (around 14 inches) in 2 to 5 years. Their growth rate slows markedly after reaching maturity however, and they only grow an inch or so per year after that. But they may live 15 to 20 years if allowed, occasionally reaching weights in double digits. Shore bound anglers can do their part by limiting their catch, at least during the pre-spawn and active spawn.
Other fish species are becoming more abundant and active as the shallow inland and coastal quickly warm. Florida pompano are a year-round favorite target species for surf fishers, and early to mid March is the cusp of an influx of pre-spawn pompano. These fast-moving members of the jack family typically feed in the surf zone, from the beach to just beyond the longshore sandbar 100 or so yards out from shore. They make a living patrolling these often turbid waters looking for a variety of invertebrates including mollusks, crabs, and shrimps. Pompano feed where waves and currents uncover their prey items, so sandbars and troughs are prime real estate to fish for them. Brightly colored double-drop pompano rigs baited with natural and/or synthetic baits are effective in getting pompano to bite.
They seem to be attracted to anything that looks like prey, so bright colors help get their attention in dingy water, while scent and taste get them to bite the hook. Pompano are highly prized for the table, and can be prepared in a variety of ways, though baked may be most folks favorite. Even though pompano are a species of jack, their unique diet of shellfish gives their oily white flesh a flavorful, buttery quality.
Kingfish (NOT king mackerel) in the form of Gulf, Northern and Southern are three similar looking (also tasty) species of the family Menticirrhus commonly called whiting or ground mullet. They are a common by-catch for pompano fishers in the surf. And although usually quite small (8” to 14” long), some anglers specifically target them close to shore using light or ultralight tackle. Often they may be caught with just a piece of cut shrimp on a small hook and short light line leader not far from shore. Like with pompano, concentrate your efforts on sandy points and ledges 6 to 8 feet deep, and along sandbar drop offs. Kingfish grow quickly the first year or two, but their growth rate slows markedly to only about an inch per year once they reach maturity at 10 to 11 inches. They are not currently regulated in Alabama or Florida waters, making them an even more tempting target species for hungry anglers. But their numbers also have shrunk as their popularity with anglers has increased, so it will behoove anglers to limit how many they retain in order to perpetuate these desirable species.