March 2026 — Sarasota: Cobia Following Rays, Spanish Mackerel Arrive, Snook Pre-Spawn. March is a early spring month with water in the 62-70°F range — COBIA peak migration; trout and redfish transitioning to flats. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — March 2026
Primary targets this month: Cobia, Sheepshead, Snook, Seatrout.
Cobia
Peak cobia migration. Sight-fishing along the beach, around New Pass, Big Pass, the nearshore reefs (Crayton Way Reef, Sarasota Reef), and stone crab buoys in 30-60 feet, and following stingrays in clear water. Need calm seas (1-2 ft) and sun overhead. 4-6″ bucktails (chartreuse, white, pink), large soft plastic eels, or live eels and pinfish. Cobia often follow first refusals — make a second cast.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are stacked for the winter/early-spring spawn. Target the Ringling Bridge pilings, Stickney Point Bridge, the New Pass jetties, and the Sarasota City Pier. Fresh fiddler crabs and live shrimp on a #1 or #1/0 octopus hook with minimal weight. Bites are subtle — set on the slightest tap. Vertical jigging tight to structure produces best.
Snook
Snook in the New Pass jetties, Big Pass, the docks of Siesta Key, the bridges of Stickney Point and Ringling, and the mangrove shorelines of Whitaker Bayou. Live pilchards, scaled sardines, finger mullet. Artificial: white DOA Bait Buster, MirrOdine, walking topwaters at first and last light. Always verify current FWC snook season — slot is 28-33″ with seasonal closures.
Seatrout
Trout holding in the deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay, Big Sarasota Pass approach, Roberts Bay deep grass, and the Ringling Causeway area. Live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs in natural colors (root beer, new penny, opening night).
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 62-70°F. Cobia peak migration; trout and redfish transitioning to flats. Sarasota’s two main passes (New Pass and Big Pass) move enormous water; strongest bite windows are the last hour of incoming and first two hours of outgoing.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Cobia readiness. Keep a heavy spinning rod (8000-class, 40-50 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluoro) ready with a bucktail or live eel — cobia don’t announce themselves.
- Sight-fishing weather. Plan trips around calm seas and sun overhead. Polarized lenses essential.
- Bait migration. Spanish, kings, and predators follow bait pods — watch for diving birds and surface activity.
March Outlook
Spring transitions accelerate — water warming, fish moving onto flats, migrations intensifying.
Regulations Reminder
Snook: 28-33″ slot (Atlantic and Gulf), one per day; seasonal closures vary by zone — verify FWC. Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Sheepshead: 12″ minimum, 8 per day (FL). Cobia: 36″ fork length, one per harvester (FL state waters — verify current rules). Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: CB’s Saltwater Outfitters (Siesta Key, 941-349-4400); Economy Tackle (Sarasota); Dolphin Outfitters (Bird Key).
Public Boat Ramps: Centennial Park (Sarasota, fast access to Big Pass), Ken Thompson Park (City Island), Turtle Beach (Siesta), Higel Park (Roberts Bay).
Charter Fishing: $500-$800 inshore; $700-$1,100 beach tarpon; $1,000-$1,800 offshore.
More Sarasota Resources
Sarasota Fishing Guide · Sarasota Seasonal Calendar · All Sarasota reports →
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