Fishing around Anna Maria Island can have its good and bad days — especially in March.
This month, we typically experience many spectrums of weather — from cold fronts to heat waves, except snow and freezes.
And sometimes all types of weather can occur in a 24-hour period.
Some days may be 80 degrees or higher, while other days, you’re lucky to see the temp reach the 60s.
Combine the colder days with strong winds, rough seas and rain and you might find yourself asking why you’re on the water.
But March also might bring light warm breezes from the south and calm waters — the past week almost hit 90 — perfect weather for success while fishing our local waters.
The point I’m getting at is if you can, be selective. Pick a good day to go fishing.
Check the forecasts, water temperatures and tides.
A bit of homework on your part can go a long way when it comes to a successful day on the water.
With lingering cold fronts, it’s best to try and fish between the fronts. A few consistent days of warm weather after a cold front can get the fish active enough to come out and feed.
This is especially apparent when fishing the flats.
If you don’t have the luxury of choosing your fishing opportunities, I guess you could always just quit your job. But we know that won’t work.
What you need to do is fish for species that will bite well during the conditions in which you’re planning to fish.
For instance, if you can only fish on the weekend and there’s a cold front coming through, try fishing species that can tolerate colder water temps. Sheepshead, flounder and redfish are good choices and will generally bite in the nastiest of conditions.
If you’re facing the opposite scenario, where the weather will be calm, warm and sunny, the sports fishers among you may choose to target the snook on the flats. These fish thrive in warm water and more apt to cooperate than the fish that prefer cooler water temperatures.
Ultimately, a large part of being a fisher — or I should say a good fisher — is being able to adapt to your environment. Knowledge of local species of fish can go a long way.
On my Southernaire charters, I’m working through the good days and the bad.
When the weather is good, I’m seeing numerous species of fish being caught, including the catch-and-release trio, snook, redfish and spotted seatrout, as well as pompano, sheepshead and snapper.
On cold, windy days, we’re not getting skunked, but fishing is more challenging.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing sheepshead being caught by anglers using live shrimp as bait. Casting shrimp under the pier on a bottom rig is yielding the results for pier anglers. This technique also is attracting black drum and mangrove snapper, as well as a redfish here and there.
Casting shrimp-tipped jigs or live shrimp on a bottom rig away from the pier is working for pompano. Although, according to Malfese, the pomp bite is sporadic, catching a few for dinner is worth the effort.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is working the flats of Tampa Bay with his charters for catch-and-release snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. All three species are taking live shiners as bait.
Fishing grass flats with depths of 2-4 feet is producing the best action. Keep in mind: This bite is occurring between cold fronts on the warmer days.
Fishing structure in Tampa Bay in depths of 10-20 feet is producing action for Lowman’s clients. Live shrimp as bait in these areas is attracting sheepshead and Key West grunts.
Capt. Jason Stock is targeting blackfin tuna when he has the weather to reach the wrecks and reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Mixed in with the tuna bite are large amberjack.
To catch either species, Stock says live baits — shiners or threadfin herring — are working. Sizes of the tuna are 20-30 pounds while the amberjack are double the weight.
Around wrecks and reefs, Stock is finding that casting live crabs is resulting in a bite from schooling permit.
Lastly, bottom fishing while offshore is providing good action on big, tasty mangrove snapper.
Capt. David White is working inshore for a variety of species on his guided fishing trips.
Anchoring and chumming with live shiners where structure — reefs or rock piles — exists is attracting migratory species, including Spanish mackerel.
Although it is early in the season for the fish, White says they are making a good showing.
Also, around structure in Tampa Bay, White is finding sheepshead and mangrove snapper for the cooler. Both are taking a live shrimp offering on or near the bottom.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.