Ernest March 2026
Again, I want to begin this month by saying if you haven’t read my January and February articles, I would encourage you to do so, as I shared information that could help you gain greater insight into your fishing. Winter came rather late this year, and we are by no means out of the cold season yet. Looking back, I recall some pretty good cold fronts arriving in March in the past, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Looking at last year’s March photos, the winds were lighter than usual, so let’s hope we get a repeat of those same conditions. I know that during April we’ll get winds that’ll blow your socks off. Keep your fingers crossed.
Surprisingly, the fish stayed shallow for most of this past winter and should remain shallow as the water warms this month. Every winter, the water clears to somewhere between gin-clear and trout-green. But as spring rolls around, it will become off-color in areas with muddy bottoms and little grass—mainly on the west side of the ICW. The east side of the ICW almost always stays somewhat clearer because of the dense vegetation and primarily sandy bottom. So when the wind blows and many areas become off-color, check out the east side along South Padre Island.
Tides have been as low as I’ve ever seen them over the past month. However, we should begin to see increased water levels come the middle of March. Signs of spring will include flowers blooming, large schools of mullet milling around, and animal life becoming more active—on and off the water.
Redfish will once again inhabit backwater areas that were recently nearly dry. Back bay shorelines and flats where most boats can’t even enter, along with the vast Eastside sand flats, will become prime areas to focus your efforts. March is also a time when redfish can be seen trailing stingrays—quick to pounce on any forage species the rays spook from the bay floor.
I would say our redfish population is in a healthy state, despite additional pressure from more people releasing trout and keeping redfish for table fare. As of late, the majority of redfish seem to be located from the Arroyo Colorado northward toward Port Mansfield, on both sides of the ICW.
Gold spoons will once again become very effective redfish baits. Smart anglers will vary the speed of their retrieves until they dial in what the reds prefer on any given day. And, of course, the ever-reliable Z-Man products—like the PaddlerZ in the five-inch Sexy Penny, along with Big BallerZ in Plum/Chartreuse, Gold Fire, and Troutcicle—will continue to produce.
The trout pattern for the southernmost waters of the Lower Laguna Madre seems to have changed this winter. Similar to the redfish, the bigger trout and greatest number of solid “keepers” have been holding farther north near Port Mansfield. Hopefully, as water temperatures climb and tides begin to rise, we’ll see them returning south.
Big trout this time of year will be putting on weight, and their favorite forage is mullet. Areas with visible schools of mullet will attract trophy-sized fish, but keep in mind they don’t normally feed every day. To increase your chances of catching a trophy-caliber trout during this prime period, focus on fishing two-tide days that fall on the new moon and full moon.
Topwaters become increasingly effective as March rolls along. If bottom grass hampers your soft plastic presentations, don’t forget that Z-Man’s five-inch DieZel MinnowZ can be rigged weedless on the Eye Strike Texas Eye hook and presented effectively in nearly any grassy situation. My two favorite colors in these lures are Pearl and Sexy Penny.
The winter snook bite has been incredible, and from experience, snook will, for the most part, remain in deeper water throughout March.
March is a transitional month where weather and water temperatures begin to climb, but the chance of a cold front capable of sending temperatures tumbling remains very real. Every year is different, and the weatherman is not always accurate in his predictions. That said, if it turns out anything like last year, we could be in for some great catches. You won’t know or experience it unless you get out there.
