Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains steady, although dodging frequent thunderstorms is putting fishing trips into toss-ups.
Mornings are frequently clear of rain, providing windows to get out and do some fishing.
Afternoon fishing is slightly different, as large thunderstorms move west after building over the inland. These storms can be intense, so keep a watchful eye on the horizon.
Inshore fishing during the morning hours is providing action on a variety of species. Catch-and-release snook fishing is still going strong. Areas where clean, clear water exists — as well as good tidal flow — seems to be producing the best action. Mangrove shorelines and oyster bars are a good environment to fish. Spotted seatrout are cooperating nicely during moving tides. Deeper grass flats in 3-7 feet of water are holding the greatest concentrations of trout.
Mangrove snapper are beginning to show in the bay waters on the deeper grass, which is a welcome sight. It’s always a bonus to add some snapper to the cooler when you’re trout fishing. And, if you don’t find the snapper on the flats, try fishing any structure in Tampa Bay — wrecks and artificial reefs are great places to start. Bridges are a hot spot for the snapper.
Moving offshore, reports of American red snapper are gaining frequency. Limits of these aggressive snappers are being caught without much effort. Of course, traveling out to depths of 100 feet or more requires some effort — and a bit of fuel. But, it’s worth it when you sit down to a dinner of red snapper.
On my charters, I’m seeing plenty of catch-and-release snook coming to the boat, with most 20-30 inches. I’m also seeing some redfish with the linesiders. Spotted seatrout are quite abundant on the flats — with limits caught daily and many more released.
And, finally, the mangrove snapper are showing on the flats among the trout. This adds some variety to the cooler.
Capt. Jason Stock is working both inshore and offshore due to the inconsistent weather patterns. On days when the weather is favorable to fish offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, limits of American red snapper are being caught. Also while offshore, Stock’s clients are reeling up plenty of red grouper.
Nearshore action is keeping Stock’s clients entertained. Goliath grouper are in the spotlight here. These large groupers — although catch-and-release — are quite a thrill to catch. And they make for great trophy photos.
On days when offshore fishing is impossible due to strong winds, thunderstorms or both Stock is staying inside Tampa Bay targeting tarpon and juvenile permit.
Capt. David White is concentrating his efforts in Tampa Bay due to weather. Most guides are holding off on trips into the Gulf of Mexico. But fishing structure in Tampa Bay is proving to be quite good for mangrove snapper. Using small shiners as bait is leading White to limits of these tasty fish.
While targeting the snapper, White is seeing some Spanish mackerel among the structure in Tampa Bay.
Moving to shallower water, White is finding some spotted seatrout over grass flats in 3-6 feet of water. Free-lining live shiners or shiners under a popping cork is proving to work well when targeting these fish.
Lastly, catch-and-release snook action along the mangrove shorelines is rounding out the inshore bite for White.
Capt. Warren Girle is finding plenty of action for his clients in Sarasota Bay. The most abundant bite is occurring while targeting spotted seatrout over the grass flats in Sarasota Bay. Numerous slot- and over-slot trout are being caught. While targeting the trout, Girle’s clients also are hooking Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and blue fish. These species add fun to the bite as they are fierce fighters when introduced to a hook. Catch-and-release fishing for snook and redfish is quite good for Girle. Mangrove shorelines where oyster bars exist are host to both of these species. Girle’s clients are hooking into plenty of snook and reds.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says mangrove snapper is the most frequent catch for pier fishers using live shrimp as bait. During slower parts of the tide, free-lining shrimp under the pier with a small split-shot is working well. As the tide increases, anglers are adding more weight to the rig to keep the shrimp toward the bottom. While doing this, they are hooking into numerous catch-and-release snook as well as a few flounder.
If live bait fishing isn’t your thing, you can try using small jigs or silver spoons to catch Spanish mackerel. Casting these lures out from the pier and quickly retrieving them is resulting in some reel-stopping hits and drag-screaming action. You also can expect to hook into ladyfish and jack crevalle using this method.
And there’s good news for Capt. Aaron Lowman, who is being treated at UF Health Neuromedicine Hospital in Gainesville. “Aaron’s condition is still very critical but the team at UF Health is working 24/7 to move Aaron’s recovery forward. However, the situation is very complex and there are steps forward and backward every day. Thanks to everyone for all of your positive, optimistic thoughts and prayers for Aaron’s recovery and return to his family,” Bill (Dad) Lowman.
We’re pushing for you, Aaron.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
Fishing tourney weigh-in set for BB pier
Bradenton Beach city commissioners unanimously voted July 1 to allow the Anna Maria Oyster Bar at the Historic Bridge Street Pier to hold a fishing tournament July 10 and waive a $400 application fee.
The second annual Florida West Coast Bottom Brawl fishing tournament is open to 150 entries — fishing teams — and Horne said it will benefit AMOB’s Dive into Reading program, which aims to improve children’s reading levels during summer break.
The Bottom Brawl invitational tournament launched in 2019 with 150 entries. It is associated with the Hernando De Soto Historical Society. A statement on the 2021 tournament website says, “The tournament will be benefitting the Conquistador Historical Foundation and the many charities that they support.”
Horne said anglers will report to the AMOB parking lot 3-9 p.m. Saturday. But the website says inshore fishers must be in line to be weighed at noon July 10. Offshore fishers must report to the weigh-in by 5 p.m. July 10.
According to the tournament website, registration is ongoing through July 8, when a captain’s meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the AMOB on the pier. At least one team member must attend the meeting.
Teams pay $250 for the inshore tourney and $325 for offshore teams. A top prize of $1,000 is offered per division and other cash and prizes vary.
Mayor John Chappie expressed concerns about the number of pier parking spaces that would be eliminated to stage the event and that the application was late.
Lynn Horne of AMOB said parking was not an issue when the 2019 event was last held.
Commissioner Jake Spooner suggested expediting the application for convenience and seeing if event tents could be placed on the pier instead of in the parking lot for future tournaments.
— Kelsey Mako