Winter fishers plea: No mas El Nino, por favor
Thanks go to the climatic El Nino for our consistently inconsistent weather. However, the fishing around Anna Maria Island is holding true for February — as long as you can make it out on the water.
Typically this time of year is known for its abundance of sheepshead. And, despite the up-and-down thermometer and numerous cold fronts, the sheepies are here. And boy, are they ever here.
The artificial reefs, wrecks and rock piles in both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are rapidly becoming infested with these convict-striped, buck-toothed, barnacle grazers. The local fishing piers, residential docks and bridges are holding fish, too. Preferred baits are live shrimp, fiddler crabs, sand fleas and tubeworms. All but the shrimp you have to catch yourself, but, if you’re in a hurry, the shrimp will work just fine.
Other targets for fish around Anna Maria Island include fishing the residential canals. Areas such as Key Royale and Bimini Bay are great places to start. Why fish these canals you ask? Well, during the winter months and as the water temps drop, you can typically find slightly warmer water in these areas. I think the sea walls have something to do with it. Sunshine warms the concrete walls, which in turn warms the water. Plus, there’s another advantage for the angler, as the canals can be sheltered from the wind and the water can be deeper than the surrounding area, which, in turn, can provide a more consistent atmosphere for the fish.
Try casting live shrimp on a weighted rig along seawalls, under docks and even around mangrove banches hanging over the water. You’ll most likely find redfish, snook, trout, black drum, sheepshead and flounder. Not bad for practically fishing in someone’s backyard. Granted, this fishing may not be the most glamorous, but it’s definitely better than coming home empty-handed.
On my Southernaire charter trips, we’re targeting sheepies on the local artificial reefs and rock piles. Not only do these fish put up a scrappy fight, they’re also pretty darn great on the dinner plate, too. The sheer abundance of these fish makes for some great action and also some tired arms for my clients.
I’m also working along the beaches, where a variety of species are available. By using small jigs tipped with shrimp, we’re finding pompano, permit, bluefish and mackerel are quite accommodating to our bait. In the same areas, I’m finding redfish, sheepshead, black drum and flounder, although not with the regularity of the other mentioned species.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is noticing the phenomena he refers to as “a sheepshead regalia” at the pier. Sheepies are finally gathering around the barnacle-encrusted pilings, nibbling away in hopes of fattening up before their spawn. At times, Malfese is seeing up to four or five sheepies crunching barnacles on a single piling. They’re so prolific, you’re led to wonder if they may just chew through the post, like a black-and-white striped beaver.
Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are finding success. Look for the stringers of fish as you walk up the pier — a definite indicator as to how the bite is that day.
Pier fishers looking for a little variety are casting small jigs and retrieving them back to the pier with hopes of a bite, and Spanish mackerel are accommodating these anglers with ferocious strikes and drag-screaming runs. Spanish macks 18-20 inches are being reeled up at the pier.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is targeting the artificial reefs and rock piles in the Gulf of Mexico and in Tampa Bay. By using a bottom rig baited with live shrimp, Lowman is hooking up with a variety of species. Sheepshead, by far the most abundant around structure this time of year, are being caught with regularity. Most fish caught are 2-3 pounds, although larger fish are not uncommon. Other species being caught around the reefs while bottom fishing are mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and flounder.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters also is targeting the artificial reefs and wrecks in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Live shrimp as bait are resulting in multiple sheepshead catches for his clients, as well as black drum, flounder, Key West grunts and mangrove snapper. Keeper-sizes of all species are being caught.
Moving inland to residential canals and docks, Gross is instructing his clients to cast live shrimp under the structure for a hookup. Redfish, black drum and flounder all are being found in these areas, thanks to the slightly warmer water temps in these sheltered waters. Even a few out-of-season snook are being hooked — and quickly released.
Capt. Warren Girle is working at the offshore structure on hard bottom, ledges and reefs to find a bite this week. By using both cut and whole dead shiners, Girle is attracting attention from both gag and red grouper. Both are being caught with some consistency, although keeper-sizes are a little tougher to come by. And keeper-size gags are promptly being released back into the Gulf, while keeper-size reds are promptly being released into the cooler. Other species being caught on dead shiners include mangrove snapper, bluefish and macks.
While en route to the artificial reefs, Girle is running across the occasional tripletail. He looks for floating debris, such as boards or bunches of Sargassum weeds, to locate these prehistoric-looking fish. You can also check the old reliable source — around the crab trap buoys — known to hold tripletails when nothing else is working.
Finally, inshore fishing on windy days is providing redfish, black drum and sheepshead for Girle. Live shrimp fished under docks and long seawalls are attracting a bite.
Capt. Danny Stasny operates Southernaire Fishing Charters.