Great weather brings great fishing action to AMI
Our first taste of autumn has arrived and along with great weather, we can expect to see great action in the backcountry, along the beaches and at nearshore structure.
With water temps in the morning hovering in the upper 70s, things are really coming to life on the water. If you haven’t noticed, there are numerous bait schools on the flats and along the beach. These schools only attract one thing — predators.
Finding bait on shallow flats most likely will result in finding snook and redfish. Both species are preparing to feed and fatten up on the fall run of bait.
In turn, bait on the beaches will be targets for a number of predatory fish. Spanish and king mackerel can be spotted within a mile of shore — where diving birds are usually a dead giveaway. Right along the shore, you should find jack crevalle and ladyfish ravaging bait in the surf.
Ultimately, if you can find the bait, you should be able to find some fish. On my charters, following the bait is proving successful. While fishing the flats, my clients are enjoying consistent action on spotted seatrout. Fishing in depths of 3-4 feet where bait schools are present is providing not only trout, but jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and even some keeper-size mangrove snapper. In these areas, I don’t tend to chum less and instruct my anglers to cast to the edges of the bait, where multiple hookups occur.
On higher tides, I’m moving onto shallower flats where sandy potholes or depressions are present. Water depths of 2-3 feet adjacent to mangrove edges complete the scenario. In these areas, we’re finding numerous schooley-sized snook. Most catches are 20-24 inches, although you might find one or two larger fish on the hook during a rally.
Finally, nearshore structure is proving advantageous for those wanting to catch mangrove snapper. My clients are finding success by dropping live shiners on a 1/2-ounce knocker rig. Typically, baits are being eaten within seconds of making contact with the sandy bottom. And I’m finding that once the snapper bite dies down, flounder are coming to the hook. Most flatties are 15-inches — although some reach 20 inches.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing inshore with good results. By working deeper grass flats of 4-5 feet, Girle is finding rallies on spotted seatrout. Slot-size trout are eagerly taking live shiners — either free-lined or under a popping cork. While targeting trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle are in the mix for his clients.
Moving to slightly, shallower flats, especially during high tides, is proving prosperous for redfish and snook. Areas that contain oyster bars, mangrove edges and good water flow are perfect spots for these backwater species to stage up and feed. By anchoring and chumming, Girle’s anglers are having success on both slot and over-slot reds. As for the snook, most are schooley-size, but rallies are attainable.
Moving offshore, Girle is targeting mangrove snapper around structure. Mixed in with the snapper are plenty of Key West grunts and juvenile grouper. The occasional flounder is being caught, which adds a bonus to the final catch of the day.
Capt. Aaron Lowman of Keyes Marina in Holmes Beach is finding keeper gag grouper among rock piles and reefs in Tampa Bay. By anchoring and dropping large baits — pinfish or grunts — to the bottom, Lowman’s charters are reeling up gags 24 inches. When the gag bite slows down, they switch to smaller baits, such as live shiners, which results in mangrove snapper and a few flounder in the cooler.
On the flats, Lowman is putting clients on decent numbers of snook as they migrate toward the backcountry. By chumming with live shiners, Lowman gets the fish “fired up” to take the hook. Most snook being caught are schooley-sized fish in the 20-24 inch range, but keeper-size fish are in the mix.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing keeper-size snook staging in the tide under the pier. With winds from the northeast, water clarity is cloudy at best, but a trained eye can spot the snook. As for catching the linesiders, Malfese says he’s seeing schoolies caught and released, but no keepers as of yet.
Bull redfish are randomly being caught at the Rod & Reel. Pier fishers using fresh-cut chunks or ladyfish are hooking into these reds during slower moving tides. Some are exceeding 40 inches — so stout gear and a net is required if you want to stand a chance at landing one. Patience is required, too, as these fish are usually caught as they pass by the pier. You’re at the mercy of the tide to get your bait in front of one, which sometimes can take a while.
Finally, the usual suspects — mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish — are being caught with some regularity at the northernmost pier in Anna Maria. Live shiners or shrimp are working for the snapper. As for the macks and ladies, anything flashy should attract their attention.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters reports finding rallies of snook around the mouths of bays, rivers and creeks from Miguel Bay south into Sarasota Bay. Most snook are under-sized, but the sheer numbers of hookups are keeping the most-avid anglers entertained. Keeper-size snook are being caught as well, although not as frequently as the schooley-sized hook ups.
Gross also is stalking spotted seatrout on the deeper grass flats during incoming tides. Free-lined live shiners are producing the bite, with most catches being slot-sized fish. Over-slot trout are mixed in for his clients, as well as mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish.
Finally, redfish are coming to the boat during high tides along mangrove islands and oyster bars. Slot and over-slot reds are being taken on live free-lined shiners. Chumming with live shiners is adding action, although Gross warns that over-chumming can do more harm than good.
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