Shorter days, cooler weather — fishing remains hot
Fishing at the nearshore structure that surrounds Anna Maria Island is shaping up nicely as we fall into autumn.
The abundance of mangrove snapper is astonishing. Limits of these tasty fish are being caught on most visits into the Gulf or the bays. Live shiners free-lined or bottom-fished are like candy to the snapper — especially if you chum them up.
Spanish mackerel are making a showing around reefs, passes and piers in abundance. Look for bait schools and you should be able to find macks in the vicinity. A live shiner on a long shank hook is working, although simply casting artificials such as spoons and jigs will provide the best action. Jacks, blue runners and ladyfish are being caught, adding some variety to your fishing session.
Finally, on the flats, redfish and snook are beginning to stage up. Schooling reds are being found from Miguel Bay south to Sarasota Bay. Good numbers of snook are being found around mangrove islands and entrances into the bays and the Manatee River. Both species are reacting to free-lined live shiners.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing nearshore structure for mangrove snapper. The fish are abundant around the reefs and wrecks in our local waters and Girle is cashing in on the opportunity. By either free-lining fresh-cut shiners or bottom fishing with whole live shiners, Girle’s clients are hooking into snapper up to 18 inches in length. Limits of the fish are being caught with consistency.
Also, around nearshore structure, Girle is finding an ample amount of Spanish mackerel. Free-lined shiners on a long shank hook are resulting in mackerel up to 24-inches. While targeting macks, jacks and blue runners are keeping anglers busy.
Moving inshore to the flats of Sarasota Bay, Girle is catching schooling redfish. Almost all of these fish are over-slot — most are actually 30-34 inches. For bait, live shiners are working, although Girle likes to cast chunks of fresh-cut ladyfish into the school. While the reds are not picky, they seem to react to the ladyfish the best.
Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle in Holmes Beach is finding success on gag grouper by trolling around inshore and nearshore structure. By trolling lipped plugs that dive at depths of 12-15 feet, Lowman’s clients are catching gags 24-26 inches. Many smaller gags are being caught as well.
Mangrove snapper are cooperating with on live bait around structure in Tampa Bay. Limits of the tasty fish are being caught, with some up to 18 inches in length. Bottom-fishing with live shiners also is attracting a bite.
Finally, schooling redfish are being found along mangrove edges and small mangrove islands where water flow is good. Live shiners cast into the schools are attracting a bite. Also, Lowman’s clients are casting artificials — Gulp shrimp or gold spoons — which are working, too.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says the snook bite remains consistent — or at least consistent for linesiders. Pier fishers using live baits, such as pinfish, shiners, ladyfish or grunts, are catching many under-slot fish, as well as a few keepers. Over-slot fish are being seen under the pier and occasionally are hooked on large baits, such as ladyfish or pinfish.
Spanish mackerel are heavily foraging on the large bait schools surrounding the pier. Pier fishers using Gotcha plugs, jigs or silver spoons are finding success during the early morning hours of sunrise. Mixed in with the macks are jacks, ladyfish and blue runners.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is working the flats of Anna Maria Sound with good results on snook. Keeper-size snook are a little hard to come by, but Gross emphasizes he’s catching plenty of under-slot and over-slot fish. Free-lined live shiners on a No. 2 hook combined with some 20-pound fluorocarbon leader are convincing these snook to bite.
Schooling redfish are on Gross’ agenda while working the morning high tides. Again, Gross has clients casting free-lined live shiners into the school to achieve a bite. Stealth is key when trying to catch these reds, according to Gross. He feels these fish are getting a lot of pressure as multiple boats are on the hunt. The best scenario is to stake out your spot, be early and be first with a cast.
Finally, mangrove snapper are being caught around inshore structure and even on the flats along channel edges and drop offs. On a recent charter, while targeting spotted seatrout, Gross’ clients managed to limit out on snapper in an area where most fishers wouldn’t expect this to happen. Live shiners are Gross’ bait of choice.
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