Rain, rain stay away — it’s time to go fishin’
ishing around Anna Maria Island is settling into a typical August pattern. Mangrove snapper are found throughout our waters around any structure — reefs, rock piles, bridges and docks. Even on the flats, keeper-size mangoes are coming to the hook.
Spotted seatrout are in abundance. Most trout being caught are less than 15 inches, but the sheer numbers of fish gives us hope of a great bite for the fall.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is as good as it gets, especially along the Gulf beaches. Sight-casting to 30-plus-inch linesiders is always worthy of taking a walk along the shore with a rod and reel by both novice and seasoned anglers.
On my own Southernaire Fishing Charters, I’m cashing in on the abundance of mangrove snapper. Limits of tasty little fish are attainable on the artificial reefs around docks and bridges.
Not only do these snapper put up a good fight on light tackle, but also they are superb on the plate. This gives visiting anglers a chance to sample some great fishing action, as well as the reward of dinner.
Spotted seatrout are next on the list and free-lining live shiners over deep grass flats is producing some sizzling action. In some instances, we’re catching 20-30 trout without pulling anchor or moving. Getting keeper-size fish is a little challenging, but we are putting enough fish in the cooler for dinner.
Add some Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle to the mix and things can shape into a great day of fishing.
Finally, the arrival of redfish is a welcome sight. Schools of fish can be found on shallow grass flats and even on some deeper flats.
These schools are no secret, so the fishing pressure can leave them shy. I’m resorting to using gold spoons to get a bite. The advantage of using the spoon is in the casting range. With a half-ounce gold spoon, you can cast far, which makes it easier to follow the school. This theory holds true until you hook a red and the school follows it as you get it to the boat. When this occurs, I have quietly waited until the school regroups and settles. Then I repeat the process.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing offshore structure with good results. By using live shiners as bait, Girle is reeling up a variety of species — red grouper, mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper. These fish are being found around reefs, ledges and hard bottom, along with goliath grouper and an occasional cobia.
Moving inshore, Girle is targeting spotted seatrout throughout the deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Mixed in with the trout bite are bluefish, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. For bait, Girle is free-lining live shiners.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is seeking a redfish bite along mangrove shorelines where grass is present. According to Lowman, the fish are biting better on days when tidal movement is at its peak and live shiners under a cork and cut ladyfish are producing.
Trout fishing over deeper flats in Anna Maria Sound also is providing good action for Lowman’s clients. Most catches are falling under the minimum 15 inches, although with persistence, limits of keeper fish are attainable. Live shiners fished under a popping cork and Berkley Gulp shrimp on a jig head are Lowman’s baits of choice.
Finally, dock fishing in canals adjacent to deep channels is producing a bite from mangrove snapper and flounder. Live shiners on a knocker cast under docks are producing the bite.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is searching nearshore and inshore structure for mangrove snapper, where live shiners free-lined in the tide or fished under a knocker rig are resulting in mangoes up to 15 inches. While targeting snapper, Gross is encountering macks, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is red-hot for Gross. His clients are finding free-lined shiners or shiners under a small cork are attracting slot-size and under-slot snook. Shallow grass flats adjacent to mangrove shoreline and oyster bars are top spots to target the linesiders.
To finish out the day, Gross is targeting spotted seatrout on the deep grass flats of southern Tampa Bay, where live shiners free-lined over grass flats on incoming tides are producing slot-size trout.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are catching respectable numbers of mangrove snapper. Most catches are falling between 10-12 inches and some anglers are finding an occasional flounder and some sheepshead on the hook.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is really heating up at the R&R pier, where live pinfish, ladyfish and shiners as bait are producing snook up to 40 inches. Most snook are falling between 20-24 inches, although anglers with patience are being rewarded with larger fish.
Capt. Jason Stock is targeting redfish on shallow flats along mangrove edges and sandbars, where live shiners cast into schooling fish are resulting in multiple hookups for his clients. While targeting reds, Stock is encountering big jack crevalle, snook and an occasional gator trout.
Moving offshore, Stock is finding permit ready to take the hook on live pass crabs. Permit in the 10- to 20-pound range are the norm.
Mangrove snapper and goliath grouper are being caught offshore. Live shiners are working well for the snapper. As for the goliath grouper, either large Spanish mackerel or jack crevalle make an ideal bait.
Capt. David White of Great White fishing charters is fishing deeper grass flats for spotted seatrout. Live shiners fished under a cork are producing good numbers of trout for White and his clients. Slot and under-slot fish are abundant.
Also, while targeting trout, White is finding mangrove snapper. These 10- to 12-inch snapper inhabit deeper grass flats, which is an added bonus for anglers.
Redfish are cooperating with White, who finds them roaming shallow grass flats around oyster bars during incoming tides. White is casting live shiners in areas where these redfish are feeding to attract a bite.
Finally, although tarpon season has passed, White is managing to jump an occasional silver king. Most of his hookups are occurring while trout fishing on the deep grass flats. The battle is usually short-lived, as trout tackle is no match for a 100-pound fish, but the excitement and shock of hooking the huge silver king leaves smiles on the faces of White’s clients.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.