Offshore fishing is hot
By Capt. Mike Heistand
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Good catch makes for happy group
Paul Gilmore, left, Marris Garrison, Gino Ruggeri, Barbara Garrison, Ron Jones and Betty Ruggeri from Bradenton with part of their catch of red and gag grouper caught offshore of Anna Maria Island in 130 feet of water in the Gulf. The party was celebrating Ron Johns induction into the national wrestling hall of fame. The catch was made aboard Capt. Larry McGuire's Show Me the Fish Charters. |
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Big bull dolphin
Kyle Cherko, 15, caught this 46-inch dorado he caught while fishing with Capt. Tony Gilstrap of Holmes Beach. |
Capt. Larry McGuire of Show Me The Fish Charters said that “Fishing is fantastic offshore of Anna Maria Island right now, with limit catches of red grouper up to 20 pounds, gag grouper to 15 pounds, mangrove and yellowtail snapper, amberjacks, barracudas and all the shark you can catch, including a few hammerheads. Recently, we had a trip with Ron Johns and party. They had the party of the lifetime. Ron is a wrestling coach with Sarasota High School and is going to be inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his many achievements, including winning many state titles. This truly was the way to celebrate a special occasion.” His best action this week was out 130 feet using large live and butterflied baits and jigging spoons for the AJ's.
At Annie’s Bait & Tackle on Cortez Road, reports include mackerel, trout, catch-and-release snook, but no redfish.
Tom Cassetty at the Rod & Reel Pier said anglers were pulling in redfish, snapper, some catch-and-release snook and a few mackerel. He said fishing was generally slow.
At the Anna Maria City Pier, reports included few fish last week. In fact, about the only thing caught were a few mackerel that were too small to keep.
Good luck and good Fishing.
Capt. Mike Heistand is a 20-year-plus fishing guide. Call him at 723-1107 to provide a fishing report. Prints and digital images of your catch are also welcome and may be dropped off at The islander, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, or e-mailed to news@islander.org. Please include identification for persons in the picture along with information on the catch and a name and phone number for more information. Snapshots may be retrieved once they appear in the paper.
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