Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Gulf Coast fishin' report for March 26, 2025. Sun's comin' up at 7:29 AM and settin' at 7:44 PM, givin' us plenty of daylight to wet our lines. Weather's lookin' mighty fine today - partly cloudy with a high of 78°F and a light breeze from the southeast. Tides are runnin' low around 5:32 AM and 5:21 PM, with highs near 12:19 PM and 10:25 PM.

Let me tell ya, the fish have been bitin' like crazy lately! Redfish are thick as thieves in the shallows, especially around oyster bars and mangroves. We've been seein' some real gators in the 5-7 pound range. Trout are schoolin' up nice on the grass flats, and snook are startin' to move out of the backwaters and onto the beaches - keep an eye out for 'em around the passes.

Offshore, cobia season is in full swing! They've been showin' up in good numbers, with some anglers reportin' catches over 50 pounds. King mackerel are also makin' their presence known, with some early arrivals in the 40+ pound range.

For bait, live shrimp and pinfish are always a safe bet, but if you're throwin' artificials, you can't go wrong with a gold spoon or a white paddletail on a 1/4 oz jighead. Topwater action's been hot in the early mornin' - try a Zara Spook or a Skitterwalk for some explosive strikes. For you cobia hunters, a Berkley Gulp! Eel in new penny color on a jighead has been workin' wonders.

If you're lookin' for some hot spots, I'd recommend checkin' out Redfish Pass or Captiva Pass. The jetties have been holdin' some nice fish. For you inshore folks, Ding Darling on Sanibel's been producin' well, especially on the outgoing tide.

Remember, it's catch and release only for snook right now, and make sure you're usin' circle hooks if you're fishin' with live bait. Tight lines, y'all, and don't forget your sunscreen!