March is here so lets discuss the changes that occur with our first month of spring. First off water temps are on the rise which drives the fish out of the deep canals and pushes them up to shallow flats, or the start to seek out choke points with good tidal flow and especially bridge pilings become a key focal point for speckled trout, red fish and flounder. Fish begin to get charged up as water temps typically stay in the 60’s throughout the month of March. The problem with March is that it is a windy month so looking for slick calm days to take off work is typically not an option. You have to go out and face the elements this time of year but typically you are rewarded. Another thing we like to do in March is chase incoming tides. Incoming tides brings bait into the area filling up the Pontchartrain Basin in the spring. I find that trout seem to bite better on an incoming tide in March so thats what i try and look for. If tides are falling in the morning hours a lot of times I like to wait and go after the evening bite. Playing the wind during this windy month is key. If you get north winds try and focus on the norther spots in the lake such as places like Treasure Isle Point, Northern parts of all the bridges all the way to the Causeway and don’t forget the shorelines out in front of Bayou Liberty and Lacombe. On Easterly winds look at the over looked eastern shoreline of Pontchartrain especially the Hospital Wall area along with all the abandoned pilings that are all over the area. Also on nice sunny days the trout will sun bathe on the shorelines near the Cedar Bayous. If the East winds are stiff and you want to fish the bridges you are typically forced to stay on the train bridge as it does the best job at chopping the waves down from the east making the west side of the bridge fishable and often effective. On South Winds Focus on the Southern parts of the bridges along with the shorelines between Irish Bayou and the Chef. By fishing the sides of the lake where the wind is coming from keeps you in clean water as you are fishing the protected side of the lake. The one wind we tend to avoid is a west wind as it dirties the Lake and forces you out of it if you have to fish that day, If we get a west wind we typically scatter from the lake and enter Lake Borgne or hide out in protected canals. If you are greeted with a falling tide while out there don’t think your doomed as we love certain areas on falling tides with the Hwy 11 bridge and the Hospital wall being two of them, we simply favor an incoming tide more with the train trestle the most consistent place to be. Don’t get the bridges and soft plastics on your mind as its the only thing to do as shorelines and hard baits can really excel this time of year. If it is calm its typically foggy in March making the bridges crowded and a perfect time to target shorelines and throw some top waters and popping corks. One of the best techniques in March is trolling and the best place to do it is along all the bridges. The trout do not typically get schooled up this time of year so covering water by trolling can be a fantastic way to fill the box. Here at MatrixShad.com we have a lure for every different situation discussed above so fill up for box and have a full arsenal for this spring and put some beautiful Potchartrain fish in the boat.
