The month of March denotes a time of changes. Winds will shift their direction from out of the northeast and will begin blowing out of the southeast. Lower tides will become higher, and gin-clear water will start to become green. Cold temperatures will begin to warm, and previously “dead” waters will once again come alive with the activity of bait movement. Game fish will slowly begin their search for hard, sandy bottoms instead of the mud and grass mixture they’ve come to know and love during wintertime. Wind velocities will begin to increase and, as a result, so will my fishing efforts in the secluded regions of the back lake areas.

But on days absent of any wind, I’ll concentrate on leeward shorelines consisting of significant structure where many of the different types of bait fish will look to for shelter as they start their annual spring migration back into the bay system. Area land points made-up of sand and shell that jut out into the water away from shore will also become good places for me to locate predator fish that have positioned themselves there in order to ambush bait fish being driven over and around the point, especially at times of a strong, moving tide.

But these aren’t the only changes taking place at this time in the year. Another, for me, will be my alteration to the way I fish each day. While the early morning water temperatures will remain somewhat cooler throughout the month, I’ll start most of my days of fishing by wading in areas consisting of mud and grass. Then, and as the day’s air temperature begins to warm, I’ll move and will focus my efforts upon areas of sand and shell. This movement of mine depicts my adaptation to the slow transition (mentioned earlier) that the fish are making at this time in the year from their previously-preferred mud and grass environ of wintertime to that of sand and shell which they like during the warmer months of the year. This will be an ever-so-slow transition beginning this month, and it can be one of the hardest things for anglers to figure out, especially for those who measure their level of success by the number of fish landed. Nonetheless, simply following his transition will often mean the difference between success and failure during March. This all becomes much easier for the “pattern” angler as we get closer to April, when the water temperature nears the popular 70-degree mark and anglers are able to concentrate on sand and shell areas on a more regular and daily basis.

Wes with 8-boat corporate event is the leader for the BFL & TFF Big Trout Contest; landed on chartreuse skitter walk with Capt. Jason, Bay Flats Lodge, March 1, San Antonio Bay.

With so many different things happening at the same time in March, anglers will easily often wonder how they are supposed to effectively locate the fish. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer I can offer to that question. All I can do is share with you what has worked for me and hope that you can benefit from my experience. To begin, let’s start things off by talking about the fish for a moment.

The chilly water temperatures of winter are becoming a thing of the past in March, and the one thing of utmost priority for the trout and reds this month is going to be their ability to fill their bellies with food. In attempting to satisfy their appetite, these fish will become more active this month as they begin foraging for their food supply. It’s for this very reason that I prefer to pinpoint active pods of bait fish when scouting fishing conditions in March. The fish are going to be hungry, and chances are great that they’re going to be found wherever the food is located, regardless of the condition of the water color.

With the ever changing wind and tidal conditions being brought about this month, bay and lake waters can often become disturbed to the point of severe discoloration. So, don’t let that hinder your decision to stop and fish an area in March. If you’re motoring down a windward shoreline that’s holding extremely stained, or just downright brown, water and you notice bait busting the surface or bait that is strongly being driven directly against the shoreline, stop the boat and setup a wade session with your favorite bait (I generally prefer to start with a top water or dark-colored plastic in this instance). Like my old saying goes, “Fish the signs and conditions, and not the spot.” Learning to do this during the month of March might just yield you one of your most successful fishing months of the year. Have fun!

In closing, don’t forget about the 2011 WINTER FISHING SPECIAL going on now at Bay Flats Lodge throughout the remainder of March when you and your guests can fish each day of the week at tremendously discounted rates. To top things off, Texas Tackle Factory (TTF) has teamed with Bay Flats Lodge (BFL) to bring you the BFL & TTF FEBRUARY / MARCH BIG TROUT CONTEST, where catching the biggest trout (while fishing with BFL during March) will win you and three of your guests 2-nights of lodging and meals, and 2-days of guided fishing (a $2600.00 value).

But wait, that’s not all…!!! If the winning trout is landed using a TTF lure, the winning angler will also receive a $200.00 gift certificate to shop the TTF web store, a quantity of 36 TTF Gun Dog Top waters (1 of each color – Flush, Flush Jr., Dummy, Little Dummy), 2 Bags of each color of the KFM Jive 45 Soft Plastic Baits, and 2 Bags of each color of the Gun Dog Shock collar.

Additionally, TTF is also sponsoring various daily prizes (too numerous to list) for the biggest trout of each day, so please phone or email me to learn more about these special BFL events. Also keep in mind that you can always stay informed as to the latest that Bay Flats Lodge has to offer by simply signing-up on the website to receive your daily BFL newsletter.

Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com…1-888-677-4868