Fishing remains good for Anna Maria Island anglers — provided they can find clean water.
High levels of Lyngbya — or gumbo as most of us refer to it — is very much present in the waters of Anna Maria Island and the waters at the mouth of the Manatee River.
Waters that should be emerald green and clear resemble the color of pea soup or brown gunk. This water is unappealing to us and also to the organisms that normally thrive in these waters.
Lyngbya blooms and forms thick mats on the surface — a good place for birds to walk around but not so good for fishing.
You’ll need to find good water if you plan on catching fish.
And, where you find that clean water, you’ll likely find success.
Fishing the grass flats for catch-and-release snook is going strong. Casting live shiners against mangrove shorelines or oyster bars is resulting in some good snook action as well. Redfish are mixed in with the snook bite in these areas.
Fishing deeper grass flats — especially in Sarasota Bay, where the water is clean and clear — is resulting in many spotted seatrout, as well as mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish.
Moving offshore, the summer bite is heating up. Blackfin tuna, cobia, permit and amberjack are taking the bait at the offshore wrecks. Bottom fishing is good — especially for gag grouper and American red snapper, both of which are now in season. Don’t forget to check size and bag limits at my myfwc.com.
Mangrove and yellowtail snapper are quite abundant offshore to round out the bite.
Tarpon again are the highlight of the week for anglers on Anna Maria Island. Casting live threadfin herring or pass crabs along the beaches or in the passes is working well.
Trying to find your own fish is in your best interest when targeting these finicky fish. If there are several boats working a school, you may find the tarpon harder to hook than normal. Having a school to yourself will enable you to fish the school properly, which will increase your chances of hooking up.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is putting clients on catch-and-release snook along mangrove shorelines in Tampa Bay. Finding clean water free of blue green algae blooms is key to finding a good snook bite, according to Lowman. Add a swift-moving tide and live shiners as bait and you are in business.
Lowman’s putting clients on spotted seatrout in Tampa Bay and in north Sarasota Bay. For the trout, Lowman is finding the best action in depths of 3-7 feet over deep grass where clean, clear water exists. Fishing near artificial reefs and wrecks in Tampa Bay also is yielding action — especially for Spanish mackerel and gag grouper.
Lastly, tarpon fishing on evening outgoing tides is good. Live past crabs are getting the most attention.
Capt. Warren Girle is finding good action while fishing in Sarasota Bay. Spotted seatrout are the most prolific in the bay, providing good action for clients when fishing over deep grass flats. Mixed in are jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel, which add a nice variety to the bite. Also present are juvenile blacktip sharks, which are readily taking baits. These 3-4 foot sharks are quite challenging on light spinning gear, bringing thrill to the bite.
In shallower areas of Sarasota Bay, Girle is casting baits around mangroves and oyster bars — producing some catch-and-release redfish and snook.
Lastly, targeting tarpon along the Gulf beaches is going strong. Fish up to 150 pounds are being caught.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing is quite good for anglers using live shrimp as bait. Casting shrimp under the pier on a weighted rig is resulting in a variety of species —including black drum, redfish and mangrove snapper. Anglers may encounter some flounder, as well as a few sheepshead while using this method.
Casting silver spoons or jigs from the pier is good. Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle frequently are being caught in this fashion.
Lastly, some large catch-and-release snook are being caught by anglers with stout tackle and large baits, such as pinfish or ladyfish.
Capt. Jason Stock is seeing plenty of red snapper being reeled up now that the season is open. In fact, limits of these fish are being caught with plenty more being released after the limit is attained. The same applies for gag grouper. Their harvest season is open.
Other bottom fish, including yellowtail and mangrove snapper, remains good. Targeting amberjack is keeping rods bent on Stock’s vessel, although harvest of these fish is now prohibited until Aug. 1. Whether harvestable or not, the fish put up a strong fight and are worthy adversaries for anglers wishing to pull on a big fish. Other action on migratory fish includes blackfin tuna. Wreck fishing for permit is also quite good.
Lastly, targeting tarpon along the beaches is producing action for Stock. He’s also impressed with the number of sharks found following the tarpon.
Capt. David White is enjoying calm days fishing offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. With red snapper season open, many White’s anglers have high hopes for a red snapper dinner and bottom fishing with live shiners as bait is on target. Also while bottom fishing, White’s anglers are reeling up plenty of yellowtail and mangrove snapper as well as red grouper.
As for the inshore bite, tarpon are the main attraction for anglers wanting to test their strength against the silver king. For the rest, mangrove snapper being are caught in Tampa Bay as well as plenty of catch-and-release snook.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.