Pier 60 Fishing Report

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Paul DelPizzo proudly displays his flounder, caught this month on Pier 60.

Fishing from Pier 60 in March improved greatly as the weather warmed.

Daytime fishing really heated up as the water cleared and began to climb towards the 70 degree mark.

Schools of baitfish were followed by Spanish Mackerel. At first the Mackerel were small for the most part, but now we have seen many fish over 20 inches taken. They are hitting small minnows, live shrimp, and lures. In addition to the Macks, we have seen many nice Flounder taken on live shrimp. Some of these flatties have been very respectable in size, over 16 inches. We have also seen a great variety of different species, including Gag Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Pompano, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Sheepshead, Pompano and Cobia.

Butterfish and Whiting were the most popular nighttime catches. Spotted Sea trout were also showing up after dark, and quite a few keepers were taken on small live baits or live shrimp. Some evenings the Trout arrived in schools, with some anglers taking their limits of four fish in a couple of hours.

We can look forward to the rest of March heralding some of the best fishing of the year. Snook have been almost absent so far, with only one undersize fish taken as yet. But warmer conditions will send those larger fish arriving from the inside bay waters into a feeding frenzy off the beaches. Look for more schools of baitfish followed by Snook, Redfish, Mackerel, and the occasional Cobia. King Mackerel “Smokers” will be prowling just off the beach troughs, looking for a large offering to cut in half. Pompano fishing will also improve as waters fill with small baitfish and crabs. If you want to experience some of the best fishing of the year, come out early mornings and late evenings this month.

April first, Pier 60 hours will go back to a 24-hour, 7-day schedule.

Fishing in April is some of the most reliable of the year, with Snook and Trout the stars of the show. The Snook bite best at night, using only a free-lined Greenback minnow on a small stout live bait hook. No extra hardware should be used, or the fish will ignore the bait. Bait nets are not allowed on the Pier, so baitfish must be caught using a Sabiki rig.

Lures are also effective on Snook, with hot pink being the preferred color.

April also means the schools of Tarpon arrive off the beaches and to Pier 60. These acrobatic Silver Kings can be enticed with a live baitfish during the mornings and middle of the day. It is thrilling to see a large hundred-pound Tarpon rise to inhale a lively bait, and then to see him skyrocket and try to throw the hook is a sight you will not soon forget. This is a catch-and release fishery on Pier 60.

Good Luck Fishing!