March is the spring transition in Palm Beach. The first tarpon of the year are showing up in Lake Worth Lagoon, the cobia migration is building toward its April peak, snook continue strong on the bridges, and the offshore mahi-mahi run is beginning to set up.
Tarpon — First Spring Arrivals
The first migrating tarpon arrive in Lake Worth Lagoon and along the Palm Beach county beaches in March. The early fish are typically larger (100-150 pounds) and have made the long swim up from the Florida Keys.
Live mullet and crabs drifted on the outgoing tide at the Palm Beach Inlet is the proven approach. The bite is just building — by April it’ll be in full swing and by May at peak. Late-month March often has solid shots if conditions are right.
Beach tarpon cruising the sand at sunrise are also a possibility, particularly on the calmer mornings. Sight-casting from a flats skiff or kayak is the spectacular approach.
Cobia — Migration Builds
Cobia are pushing up the coast in March. The offshore wrecks and reefs in 80 to 200 feet hold the fish, and sight-casting from tower boats on calm days is excellent.
The Palm Beach cobia peak is April, but March is the building phase — fish are spread thin but bigger than the peak-month arrivals. Bucktails, large soft plastics, and live eels are standard.
Look for cobia following turtles, rays, and floating debris. Keep a pitch rod rigged at all times.
Offshore — Sailfish Wind Down, First Mahi
Sailfish action in March is still solid but declining from the January-February peak. The remaining fish are moving north as water temperatures climb.
First mahi-mahi reports trickle in by mid-to-late March. The peak mahi run is in May but a few early fish on the weed lines are caught in March.
Wahoo are still around but increasingly scattered. Kingfish on the nearshore reefs continue to produce solid action.
Blackfin tuna on the deep wrecks remain consistent.
Snook — Bridges and Inlets
Snook bite continues strong through March on the ICW bridges and inlets. The fish are pre-spawn — feeding aggressively in advance of the June spawn — and big breeders are increasingly common.
Live mullet, threadfin, and large white soft plastics pitched into the bridge shadows at night produces. The Palm Beach Inlet jetty and Boynton Inlet jetty are both excellent on the outgoing tide.
Slot is 28-32 inches in Atlantic FL, one per day.
Mutton Snapper — Spring Spawn Beginning
Mutton snapper start their pre-spawn aggregations on the deeper reefs in March. The full moons through May are the peak windows.
Live pinfish on a knocker rig in 80-120 feet is the proven approach. Trophy muttons (10-plus pounds) are caught regularly in spring.
Pompano — Tail End
The pompano run in the surf winds down in March as water warms. A few fish are still being caught on the early-month cold fronts, but by month’s end the fish have largely moved north.
Sand fleas and shrimp on Fishbites continue to produce when conditions cooperate.
Conditions and Best Windows
Water temps in March warm from 70°F to 76°F. The warming triggers the tarpon arrival, cobia migration, mahi build, and snook pre-spawn feeding.
Weather is variable — cold fronts still possible early in the month, calmer windows more common late.
Where to Be This Month
Lake Worth Lagoon and Palm Beach Inlet for the first spring tarpon. Offshore on calm days for cobia sight-casting. The deeper reefs for mutton snapper. ICW bridges at night for pre-spawn snook. And watch the weed line for the first mahi arrivals late in the month.
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