Springtime fishing around Anna Maria Island remains strong.
Fishing the grass flats of Tampa Bay south to Sarasota Bay is host to a variety of species.
Catch-and-release spotted seatrout are making a showing over deeper grass flats during swift incoming tides. Finding areas where the tide is rushing over shallow flats and dumping into deeper flats is a good bet. Anchor up and drift a live shiner over the edge of the shallows into the deep — and hang on.
You’ll find other predators here, such as Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and bluefish, like this scenario. These fish add some variety to the trout bite and — if you like dining on Spanish mackerel — you’ll have an opportunity to put a few fish in the cooler.
I’m finding catch-and-release snook are none too shy this spring. Shallow flats along mangrove shorelines and oyster beds are holding respectable numbers of linesiders.
Early morning top-water action with a MirrOLure 84 MR is leading to some explosive strikes. As the sun gets higher, switching over to live shiners for bait is keeping the bite going. As a bonus, the live shiners are attracting slot-size catch-and-release redfish.
Moving offshore, kingfish are being caught in the 8- to 10-mile range. You might find a few in close around the offshore artificial reefs at 3-7 miles offshore.
Moving out, bottom fishing for grouper and snapper remains consistent. Keeper-size red grouper are quickly inhaling live pinfish on a bottom rig. For the snappers, live shiners on the same rig will get you a hookup.
On my Southernaire charters, I’m targeting catch-and-release spotted seatrout in Tampa Bay. April is typically good for the larger trout — 20 inches or bigger. I’m using circle hooks on the larger trout to prevent gut-hooking them. The larger fish are the breeders, so we try to handle them as delicately as possible. While targeting the trout, my clients are getting many hookups on Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish.
Fishing shallower flats up against the mangroves is resulting in great catch-and-release snook action, with most within 20-30 inches.
Capt. Warren Girle is finding ample amounts of fish while working in Sarasota Bay. Catch-and-release redfish are being caught around residential docks and canals. They are being found around mangrove shorelines. Casting live shiners or shrimp in both areas is attracting the reds.
Catch-and-release snook are hooking up with Girle’s anglers along the mangrove shorelines and again, shiners are the bait of choice.
Moving away from shore, into the deeper grass flats of Sarasota Bay, is yielding numerous catch-and-release spotted seatrout and a handful of other species — bluefish, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is putting sport fishers on the good catch-and-release action in Tampa Bay. Free-lining shiners around mangroves, oyster bars and sandbars on moving tides is providing some great snook and redfish hookups. The same applies for catch-and-release spotted seatrout, although the fish are being found over deeper grass flats in open water. Other catches include Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jack crevalle.
Jim Malfese says pompano are making a showing at the Rod & Reel Pier. Pier fishers casting live shrimp combined with a small hook and split shot are hooking into keeper-size pomps. Small jigs tipped with shrimp and bounced off the bottom are luring the tasty fish to take the hook. While using jigs for pompano, pier fishers are hooking into jack crevalle, ladyfish and a few macks. And bottom fishing with live shrimp is yielding flounder, especially when casting the bait under the pier.
Capt. David White is finding action for his clients offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Bottom fishing with live pinfish or frozen sardines is yielding many red grouper.
Switching to shiners as bait is working well, especially for mangrove and yellowtail snapper. Fishing baits toward the surface while working over the offshore wrecks also is productive for White’s clients. Blackfin tuna are coming to the boat as well as some kingfish, bonito and bull sharks.
On the inshore bite, White is finding action on the usual catch-and-release species — snook and redfish. While inshore, macks and black drum are hooking up, giving White’s clients something to take home for dinner.
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