September — back to school for anglers
September fishing around Anna Maria Island looks to be shaping up nicely for anglers hoping to get some action. Although the heat is intense on the water right now, there is still a bite to be found.
Schooling redfish are frequenting local flats. Look close to mangroves on the high tides and, as the tide falls, watch for the schools to migrate to deeper water. Some of these reds are quite spooky, so try to incorporate baits — whether live or artificial — that can be cast long distances.
Snook season is now open and rumors of keeper-size fish are coming to the dock. Night fishing around the local piers, bridges and residential docks where “snook” lights cast an inviting light on the water are your best bet right now. I’m seeing some larger fish on the flats, but with water temps in the high 80s, these snook may be lethargic and challenging when it comes to taking your bait.
Mangrove snapper are providing good action around inshore and nearshore structure. Most of these snapper are averaging 12-15 inches, which may not be glamorous, but when you’ve got a basketful of beer battered fillets on the table, it’s not so bad. For bait, live or fresh-cut shiners are the first choice, although live shrimp or small pinfish will get the job done, too.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing an influx of snook fishers arriving at dark and leaving at sunrise now that season is open. While snook are attainable during the day, they are a nocturnal fish. So large catches occur at dusk or later. Keeper-size snook are being reported at the pier, as well as a few over-slot fish. Remnants of scales and blood on the pier deck at first light are a sure sign a snook has been landed. Preferred baits are shiners, pinfish and ladyfish. For artificials, Malfese says you can’t go wrong with a Yozuri Crystal minnow. Just reel the plug parallel to the pier along the shadow line and hang on tight.
Spanish mackerel are dominating the morning bite at the R&R. Pier fishers using lures, such as Clark spoons, speck rigs or Gotcha plugs are finding success. A quick retrieve along the edges of a bait school can result in macks up to 20 inches.
Finally, mangrove snapper are available by casting a live shrimp under the pier. Snapper 10-12 inches are the norm, although don’t be surprised to pull a 15-incher out every now and again.
Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle in Holmes Beach is working the flats of Anna Maria Sound in search of spotted seatrout. By anchoring along channel edges that meet the grass flats, Lowman is finding slot-size trout are attracted to a live shiner under a popping cork. While targeting trout, Lowman is hooking up his clients with ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle.
Another species Lowman is having good results with is flounder. By casting live shiners on a weighted rig under residential docks and over small rock piles, Lowman is reeling in flounder 15-inches. Larger flounder are mixed in as well as mangrove snapper and an occasional redfish.
Finally, Lowman is fishing nearshore structure for mangrove snapper. A 1/2-ounce knocker rig combined with a live shiner is resulting in mangoes up to 15 inches. While targeting mangoes, expect to also catch Key West grunts and juvenile grouper.
Capt. Warren Girle is working the flats of Sarasota Bay in search of schooling redfish for his clients. By targeting fish on strong outgoing tides, Girle is finding schools of reds —some holding 100 or more fish. As the tide drops and water gets shallower on the flat, these schooling reds tend to get spooky. When this occurs, it can be tough to get within casting range, but not for Girle.
His solution is to bait up a nice chunk of fresh-cut ladyfish — one with enough weight to cast a long distance. This way he can set back from the school without spooking them and watch his clients reel in slot and over-slot redfish.
On the nearshore reefs, Girle is hooking up with limits of mangrove snapper. By using live shiners or fresh-cut dead ones, Girle’s anglers are catching snapper 12-16 inches. As a bonus, they’re finding flounder, Key West grunts and plenty of juvenile grouper in the mix with the mangoes.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.