First of March should be good, snakes shouldn't be out yet! Fished there once a few years back and I definitely wouldn't take my boat. Stayed in one of the lodges and boat/bait everything was included. I promise you will be banging the lower unit more than once. We ended concentrating on big bluegill, fishing in the lilly pads and around the cypress was a blast. Did catch a few rock bass, but you can get into some monster gills. You'll enjoy it, it is unlike anything or anywhere I ever fished before.