With the recent frequency of rainstorms moving from the Gulf of Mexico, anglers are watching the sky.
Larger showers can turn into torrential downpours, with high wind gusts and lightning. So keep a watchful eye.
And, with radar being available on smartphones, you should be able to avoid severe situations.
As far as the fishing goes, inshore anglers are enjoying some good action on the catch-and-release trio — snook, trout and redfish.
For the snook and reds, the best action is during the hours around sunrise, provided you have a swift tide and clean water.
Casting baits along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars is a smart bet.
On deeper areas away from shore, spotted seatrout are making a good showing. Mixed in with the bite are ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and mangrove snapper. Snapper in these areas makes it possible to take a few fish home for dinner.
Offshore, reports of permit and amberjack being caught around reefs and wrecks are encouraging.
Other species, such as groupers and yellowtail snapper, are being caught around areas of hard bottom and other structure.
Also, predators such as shark and barracuda are abundant, providing great action for anglers looking to catch something big and toothy.
Capt. Warren Girle is targeting a variety of species throughout the grass flats of Sarasota and Tampa bays. Free-lining live shiners over deep grass areas lures Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevalle ladyfish, mangrove snapper and catch-and-release trout.
With this assortment, anglers are enjoying great light-tackle catch-and-release action and, with the snapper present, they’re putting some fish in the cooler.
On the shallower flats, Girle is finding good action for clients, especially on catch-and-release snook.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is finding action around the nearshore reefs and wrecks in the Gulf of Mexico. Permit are the highlight of the nearshore adventures, with fish averaging 10 pounds. Casting live crabs or pompano jigs is luring the elusive fish to the hook.
While in the Gulf, Lowman is coming across schools of bonita. There isn’t much food value to these fish, but the power they exude on light tackle is not for the faint of heart.
In Tampa Bay, Lowman is finding good action on the flats. Deeper grass flats are host to catch-and-release trout mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and the shallower flats are producing action on catch-and-release snook and redfish.
Capt. Jason Stock says amberjack are the highlight for his clients. Live bait offerings and artificials such as surface plugs attract the aggressive reef dwellers.
Permit are another species accommodating Stock. Sight-casting to schooling fish on the calm days is an unforgettable experience.
In areas where hard bottom exists, yellowtail snapper and almaco jacks round out the bite and provide some meat for the cooler.
Finally, hunting predatory fish such as sharks, barracuda and goliath grouper is a worthy choice.
Hamilton Brown at the Rod & Reel says mangrove snapper are the most evident bite.
Pier fishers purchasing live shrimp as bait are finding success. In fact, limits of snapper are being caught on the trusty shrimp. Catch-and-release snook are next in the lineup. Live shrimp work, as well as larger baits such as pinfish or mojarras.
When the bait schools are present, Spanish mackerel are being caught with some regularity. Brown suggests morning or evening if you plan on targeting these fish.
Capt. David White is finding excellent action on red grouper and yellowtail snapper while fishing offshore over areas of hard bottom. Live or frozen bait offerings get the job done.
Also, White is hooking up with some mangrove snapper and some amberjack.
Moving inshore, he is finding success on catch-and-release species such as snook and redfish by casting live shiners along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars.
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