- Bait: Predator species such as stripers, bluefish, bonita, false albacore and bluefin will move up and down our coastal waters in search of food (baitfish) such as herring, menhaden, peanut bunker, mackerel, shad, squid, silversides, sand eels, crabs, worms etc. The herring and shad usually show up in late March into April. The balance of predominant baitfish will show up at various times thereafter depending on tides, water temperature, moon phases and hatches of worms and crustaceans.
  
- Water Temperature: Stripers are comfortable with water temperatures in the upper 60’s, 65-69. Schoolies will tolerate cooler water more than the larger fish. Bluefish prefer water temperatures in the mid 70’s. The tunas generally prefer water temperature in the mid 70’s as well. Look for fish in these temperature ranges. If baitfishes are present, the predators will tolerate cooler or warmer temperatures for a period. Also be aware of thermo clines especially if you’re offshore in deeper water. Baitfishes have been known to orient at these interfaces.
- Structure, Structure and more Structure: Predator fishes enjoy the comfort and ambush nature of structure. Batfishes also search out structure for safety. Structure takes many forms; rocks, sandbars, undercut banks, ledges, depressions, drop-offs, eddy currents, docks, jetties, shade lines, current seams and so-on. Most baitfish seek-out structure for security, so predators are usually found in these areas as well. Certain types of structure can disorient baitfish especially around moving water whether created by river flow or tide wash.
This situation renders them vulnerable to ambush. Channels created by river flow or tidal wash are the fish highways that they travel in, so look for them and mark them.
Depressions or holes will usually hold larger fish so know where they are.
- Birds: Predator fish drive baitfish to the waters surface or push it right up and onto the beach. The feeding frenzy that follows attracts sea birds from everywhere. Gulls and terns in the area tip-off anglers to the action below them. The diving and swooping birds clearly mark the location of feeding fish. Watch for birds flying low over flats, the shadow that they cast over the shallow water can ignite or trigger a violent reaction and cause large fish to explode at the surface.
- Moon phases: Most gamefish are susceptible to the movement of water. The higher/lower than normal tides move water more vigorously and that can turn fish on in a heart beat. Look for new or full moon tides. Always check the tide information and plan accordingly.
- Weather changes: It is my opinion, and shared by others, that changes in barometric pressure effects fish and how aggressively they feed. I like to fish just before a storm when the expected high is stalled and preceded by a low.
Captain Dave Beshara
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