Southwest Florida Fishing Report and Forecast – March 8, 2021

Water temperatures are starting an upward trend and the freshwater bite has been heating up. Fly anglers in pursuit of peacock bass are having plenty of success on muddlers, craft fur minnows, and clousers in chartreuse, orange, and yellow. Rocky shorelines, rip-rap, docks, lay-downs, and culverts continue to be the areas of focus for everyone’s favorite cichlid species.

Spin anglers are also experiencing good peacock bass action on jerkbaits and swimbaits, particularly during the warmest periods of the day. The key to bringing on strikes is working your presentations with a fast retrieve and erratic action.

For Florida-strain largemouth bass, 5 to 6-inch soft plastic stickbaits or senkos in green pumpkin, watermelon and junebug are working well when you can find clean water following the past week of wind. Cast right up near vegetation edges to bring on the strikes. The closer you can get your casts to the water lettuce and spatterdock, the better your chances of getting bit.

Fishing is only going to get better as we head into April and May. Once we see more consistent stable warm temperatures, fishing will be prime. Book your trips early and secure dates for next year if possible.