Fishing around Anna Maria Island is showing daily signs of improvement as we approach springtime. With snook season opening March 1 in Florida’s Gulf of Mexico and the adjacent federal waters, remaining open through April 30, it’s only going to get better.
With the weather already feeling like spring, the flats fishing is falling right into place an exceptional year. Catch-and-release snook fishing is heating up with reports of 50 or more hookups brought to the side of the boat in a morning session. Spotted seatrout are making a good showing on the flats of Anna Maria Sound and beyond.
Finally, the sheepshead are in full feeding mode as they continue to fatten up for the ongoing spawn.
On my own charters with Southernaire, I’m concentrating on sheepshead, and fishing inshore and nearshore structure is proving to be nothing less than exceptional. Sheepies up to 5 pounds are finding their way into the cooler, although most catches fall between 2-3 pounds. Mixed in with the sheepies are many white grunts, as well as an occasional mangrove snapper and flounder.
Moving onto the flats, I’m finding plenty of spotted seatrout willing to take a bait. Free-lining select shrimp on deeper grass flats or along channel edges is yielding limits of slot-size fish, however, moving tides are a must. As the tide slows down, so does the bite. Slot-size fish are being taken with regularity while over-slot fish are being released to spawn.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business is hunting in southern Tampa Bay and the surrounding waters for catch-and-release snook. By using live shiners as bait, Gross is hooking up clients with respectable numbers of linesiders on the shallow grass flats where sandy potholes and mangroves are present. Most catches are falling between 20-30 inches, although bigger fish are being caught by the really lucky anglers.
Redfish and spotted seatrout are hooking up with Gross’ clients and the cooler. For the reds, free-lined live shiners are working as bait. For the spotted seatrout, Gross is rigging artificials such as soft plastics with a 1/4-ounce jig head. And anglers are taking keeper-sizes of both species.
Capt. Warren Girle is still having good results on pompano in Sarasota Bay. Drifting and jigging is his method of success for these elusive fish. Small jigs colored in pink or chartreuse and tipped with small pieces of fresh-cut shrimp are yielding ample catches. Mixed in with the pompano bite are spotted seatrout, ladyfish, bluefish and jack crevalle.
Fishing offshore is providing good action for Girle. In depths of 40-50 feet, Girle is finding an abundance of mangrove snapper, sheepshead and porgies. Hogfish are present in these areas, and live shrimp is proving to be Girle’s bait for success.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is fishing nearshore structure for a variety of species. Baiting live shrimp is resulting in sheepshead, porgies, hogfish and white grunts. On most days, this bite is creating nonstop action for his clients, although sheepshead are dominating the bite with catches ranging from 1-4 pounds.
In the backwater, Lowman is hooking into numerous redfish around residential docks. Casting live shrimp under and around the pilings is attracting a bite. Mixed in with the reds are sheepshead and black drum.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says the sheepshead bite is getting better day-by-day. Respectable numbers of these tasty striped fish are taking up residence under the pier to nibble the vast amount of barnacles that cling to the pilings. These striped fish are on the feed with hopes of fattening up for their spawning period. Live shrimp and other baits — fiddler crabs and sand fleas — are producing a bite.
Other catches at the R&R Pier include black drum and flounder. Both are being taken on live shrimp, and don’t be surprised to see an occasional redfish, too.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is working inshore this week. Drifting the flats for pompano is resulting in multiple hookups, and Doc’s Goofy jigs tipped with shrimp are the bait of choice.
Fishing around the bridges and residential docks of Anna Maria and Longboat Key is supplying White’s anglers with plenty of sheepshead. Live shrimp cast in these areas is attracting a bite.
Capt. Jason Stock is taking clients to the grass flats for catch-and-release snook, and free-lining live shiners as bait is proving successful. Most catches are falling between 22-34 inches. While targeting snook, Stock’s anglers are finding slot-size redfish as well as some over-slot spotted seatrout.
Fishing offshore also is yielding good results for Stock. Amberjack are cooperating on live baits as well as artificials. Bottom fishing offshore is providing action for catches of mangrove snapper, hogfish and porgies.