April, the Month of Change on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Well April is in the wings. And April is a month of change on the Florida’s Gulf Coast. The northbound highways, on the east and west side, are both jammed with traffic, as the snowbirds flee.
If you’re a resident Florida angler, this is a relief, a welcome sign. Things quiet down at the ramp and there is plenty of parking even if you arrive a bit late. Yeah, you own the water once again, as the fishing picks up. I know the feeling; I lived there for 7 years.
Yet, something else is going on too. The rainy season is fast approaching. And it lingers right into fall, bringing more changes to the Florida Gulf Coast. Yes, the rain stains the water with tannins from the mangroves. Causing the crystal-clear waters of winter to vanish. You can already see it starting in this March photo. (note the blue tip on this redfish’s tail, an artifact of winter) Soon the heat skyrockets. And thunderstorms become common in midafternoon. Well, I guess you can never win them all.
