The return of the king — tarpons hook up in local waters
Anna Maria fishing is host to a shiny new arrival this week.
That’s right. The silver kings have returned. Although the quantity of fish is still building, small groups of tarpon are running along the beaches, as well as in the passes from Egmont Key to New Pass.
On Southernaire charters, I’m finding success with tarpon in the 80-120 pound range. Most are being taken on pass crabs, although threadfin herring is bringing a bite, too.
For me, the early morning bite is producing the best action. After 9 a.m., the kings are finicky. As this occurs, I’m migrating up and down the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key to find schools of happy fish. And by happy, I mean undisturbed. These fish tend to bite a better than the ones in the passes that are constantly seeing boats running over them.
On days when non-tarpon anglers are on the boat, I’m working the flats of Anna Maria Sound and southern Tampa Bay for catch-and-release snook. Live shiners are attracting a bite during morning tides from linesiders in the 20-36 inch range. On lower tides, I’m fishing outside edges of the flat. As the tide comes in, we move closer to the bushes where we frequently find snook lounging in the shade.
Other fish producing action this week include spotted seatrout and limits of mangrove snapper. Deeper grass flats where a slight current is present are home to numerous 12-24 inch spotted seatrout. As for the snapper, artificial reefs and rock piles in depths of 20-30 feet are producing limits of fish 12-18 inches.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing the flats of Sarasota Bay with good results. Catch-and-release snook are providing great action for Girle’s clients, who are finding rallies of fish in the 20-30 inch range common when using live shiners as bait. Redfish and spotted seatrout also are being taken on live shiners.
Fishing offshore is still producing good numbers of mangrove snapper for Girle. Dropping live shiners to the bottom around ledges and reefs is resulting in mangoes up to 18 inches in length, as well as numerous gag and red grouper. Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and an occasional cobia are being found by Girle while fishing offshore.
Finally, tarpon are showing for Girle and he’s hot on their trail. Live pass crabs free-lined to cruising fish are being inhaled. Tarpon in the 50-100 pound range are the average.
Capt. Jason Stock is running for big fish offshore, where in depths around 100 feet, he’s putting clients on amberjack in the 20-30 pound range. In shallower depths of 40-60 feet, Stock’s anglers are reeling up limits of mangrove snapper, as well as red grouper and catch-and-release gags. Goliath grouper are present at these depths and Stock likes to hoist a few up next to the boat for a quick photo before the release. Finally, Stock reports permit are being taken on live crabs around wrecks and reefs.
Moving inshore, Stock is on patrol along the beaches and passes in search of tarpon. Tarpon in the 75- to 100-pound range are being hooked on live pass crabs and live threadfins.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing a morning mackerel bite when schooling baitfish are present in Tampa Bay Small jigs in pink or white also work to produce a bite. Mixed in with the mackerel are ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are catching mangrove snapper and a few flounder. Live baits such as shiners or pinfish are attracting attention from catch-and-release snook from 20-28 inches.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is working the flats of Terra Ceia and Miguel bays for redfish, spotted seatrout and catch-and-release snook. The trio is taking shiners, either free-lined or fished under a Cajun Thunder popping cork. Limits of spotted seatrout are being taken with ease. As for the redfish, a little persistence is paying off. And, Gross says, rallies of catch-and-release snook are occurring during incoming tides around mangrove shorelines.
Mangrove snapper are rounding out the bite for Gross and his anglers. After rallying on the flats, he’s moving out to deeper water, around reefs and wrecks, where he’s finding plenty of snapper in the 12-16 inch range — all taken with live shiners as bait.
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