Spawning bass will be the top fly target this month.
Cast a woolybugger, leech pattern, Bass Bully, Sqwirm Worm, Grim Reaper or Y2K Bugger slightly past the fish, and then twitch it slowly across the bed.
Please release your catch as these bass are creating our future.
Some of the biggest bream of the year are caught in March. Go deep for redears using Fluff Butts, Cap Spiders, and beadhead Hares Ears. Early in the day, bluegill will take Jitterbees and Tussel Bugs under a strike indicator. Late in the day try popping bugs.
Another freshwater species to consider is hybrid striped bass. They should be busting shad at lakes Claiborne, Concordia, Indian Creek and False River. Tie on a Sheep Shad, Clouser Minnow or Gummy Minnow and “rip strip” the fly, followed by long pauses.
It’s been a mild winter and, by now, coastal ponds should be getting thick with grass. The grass improves water clarity and makes for great sight-casting opportunities to the Spottail Elvis.
To keep your flies from hooking up on “salad”, try a bendback style such as Prince of Tides or the Bendback Mullet.
Later this month, speckled trout make their migration from the interior marshes. Until then, topwater action on Perch Float Poppers or Bubblehead Poppers can be fantastic.