Beat the summer heat — fish early or go deep
Well, if I said fishing around Anna Maria Island is as good as it gets, I’d be lying. Or better yet, let’s say I’d be exaggerating the truth. That sounds better.
Although the fishing is not exceptional, that doesn’t mean there aren’t fish to be caught. And if you’re a visitor to our little island, a lazy day on the water always beats a day at work. Unless you’re me, that is, and fishing is work.
With air temps approaching 100 degrees and water temps in the highest of the 80s, fishing the flats can be challenging at best. If you are fishing the calm waters over the grass flats, the morning is your best bet. Fishing 6-10 a.m., when the air and water temps are lower, will increase your odds of finding fish that will bite. Spotted seatrout and snook are worthy candidates during these hours. Try free-lining live shiners or rigging shiners with a popping cork to attract a bite.
Now, with water temps up so high, you may want to venture to deeper water. In depths of 20-50 feet, the water temps are slightly cooler. This being said, snapper and grouper will be more apt to feed, even throughout the day. Again, shiners and pinfish are great attractants. You may even employ the use of a frozen chum block to get some fish-attracting aroma in the water and get the snapper in the mood.
Finally, one target that is excelling in the warm water is shark. Blacktips can be found amid the large bait schools of glass minnows, which are just offshore. Diving birds are a dead give away to find the bait schools. You should hopefully see jack crevalle or Spanish mackerel breaking the surface while feeding. This is a good indicator that sharks are present. To get hooked up, rig your favorite shark leader and a chunk of cut mackerel and cast into the frenzy. Hang on tight, because the bite usually occurs quickly.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing offshore with good results. By fishing ledges and hard bottom in depths of 40-60 feet, Girle is finding limits of mangrove snapper for his clients. Bottom fishing with live or fresh-cut shiners is resulting in mangoes up to 18 inches. Mixed in with the snapper are the occasional keeper-size red grouper and plenty of Key West grunts.
In slightly shallower depths of 30 feet, Girle is targeting Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and blacktip shark. These fish are foraging on schools of small glass minnows and shiners. Once a school of bait is found, Girle is chunking up fresh-cut mackerel and casting the chunks directly into the schools of bait. Once the chunk has sunk down below the school, it typically will be devoured by hungry blacktip sharks. Blacktips in the 4-5 foot range are the norm with an occasional bigger shark in the mix.
Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle in Holmes Beach is targeting mangrove snapper around nearshore and inshore structure. Fish are being found in the Gulf of Mexico and in Tampa Bay. Artificial reefs, rock piles and wrecks are resulting in snapper up to 15 inches. While targeting snapper in these areas, Lowman is hooking up his clients with flounder, Key West grunts and numerous jack crevalle.
Moving out to slightly deeper water in the Gulf of Mexico, Lowman is searching for schools of hatch bait. These schools of small baitfish are attracting Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevalle and blacktip shark. The macks, jacks and ladies all provide excellent action for light tackle sport fishing. And what’s even better, once they are caught, they can be used as bait for the blacktip sharks. Expect to encounter blacktips 4-5 feet.
Finally, on the flats, Lowman is finding spotted seatrout, although most are under-slot size. These post spawn trout are being caught during incoming tides on flats where the depth is 4-6 feet. Small live shiners free-lined behind the boat are triggering a bite.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing mangrove snapper being reeled up. Pier fishers using small live shiners or hatch bait fished on the bottom are hooking into snapper 12 to 14 inches. Many small snapper are also present, warns Malfese, but persistent fishers are managing to arrive at the fillet table with their limit of five keepers. While targeting snapper, pier fishers are catching flounder. Most are undersized, although keepers are being caught.
Jack crevalle, blue runners and ladyfish are making an appearance at the pier, following schools of hatch bait as it drifts with the tide. Small white or pink jigs that mimic the size of the baitfish that are present are the sure-fire lure to hook up. A long cast and quick retrieve will get you connected.
Finally, snook, although usually under slot-size, are being caught with some regularity. Larger-size shiners, if you can find them, are candy to these schooley-sized linesiders. Remember, these fish are out of season, so handle them with care and give them a gentle, quick release.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.