With a combination of thunderstorms and toxic levels of red tide pushing through our local waters, finding a window of opportunity for fishing around Anna Maria Island can be challenging.
But don’t be discouraged.
The rains will subside and to avoid red tide you’ll just need to search for areas where clean water exists. If you can find the right spot, you’ll get the action.
Fishing inshore is producing catches of various species, including mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel. You also should encounter the catch-and-release trio — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. All of these fish are susceptible to live shiners. Shrimp could work too, although with the abundance of pinfish ready for the taking throughout the flats of Tampa Bay, you might find yourself going through vast amounts of small crustaceans.
If you don’t want to deal with fishing inshore in these conditions, the offshore grounds in the Gulf of Mexico are providing great action on migratory and bottom species. Amberjack and blackfin tuna are being reported. And, for the bottom fishing, red grouper, mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper are keeping anglers busy. The offshore waters are free of red tide — no hunting for clean water — allowing these fish to flourish. Hopefully they will flourish right onto your hook.
On my charters, I’m finding catch-and-release action on snook, redfish and spotted seatrout fairly consistent. It’s August, so days are plus 90 degrees and the overnight air is in the 80s, resulting in high water temps, which is triggering an early bite. It seems after 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. the bite is fading. Most mornings, the first couple of hours of my trips are quite active, as I’m seeing many mangrove snapper being caught on the flats while we’re targeting snook and reds. The snapper is super nice — and delicious — for anglers who want fish for dinner.
On a final note from me, Capt. Aaron Lowman is making progress in his recovery after a May 13 brain aneurysm. Physical therapy is helping improve his motor skills — he now can stand and walk — and he can converse with family. It’s expected he will be returning home soon, although he still has many hurdles to overcome. Godspeed my friend.
Be sure to attend the benefit for Aaron at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Center of Anna Maria Island.
Capt. Warren Girle is concentrating his efforts on fishing nearshore reefs, ledges and hard bottom in the Gulf of Mexico. With toxic levels of red tide in Sarasota Bay in his stomping grounds of Longboat Key, Girle is looking offshore to find a good bite for his clients, and he’s finding a variety of species. While free-lining live shiners on the surface, Girle is putting clients on Spanish mackerel and bonito. Both species put up a good fight on medium spinning gear and, as a bonus, Girle is able to put a few mackerel in the cooler if his clients want to take some fish home to eat.
Bottom fishing with live shiners is producing action on Girle’s charters. Mangrove snapper, lane snapper and Key West grunts are being reeled up from the depths, as well as many juvenile grouper. Again, the snappers and grunts make a fine meal for a fish fry.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing is quite good there for a variety of species. The red tide has mostly passed by the pier, where fishers using live shrimp as bait are being rewarded with take-home catches of mangrove snapper, as well as catch-and-release snook and redfish.
According to Malfese, the mangrove snapper are being caught frequently and are measuring 10-14 inches. If you can get the limit of five snapper, you’ve harvested a nice family dinner.
Catch-and-release snook and redfish are being caught in respectable sizes of 20-24 inches, although some are reaching 37 inches. The reds are averaging 24 inches, with some on either side of the 2-foot mark.
American red snapper season closed Aug. 2 for charter boats and Capt. Jason Stock has wrapped up a successful run. Now he’s focusing on migratory species — amberjack and blackfin tuna. Trolling lipped plugs just below the surface is tricking both species to have a taste. Once hooked, either species will surprise anglers with their power and longlasting battles.
While bottom fishing offshore, Stock is boasting of many yellowtail snapper on the hook. And, as these are one of the best-eating snappers to hit a fry pan, his clients are quite happy to put a few in the cooler.
Lastly, fishing closer to shore around artificial reefs is producing action on bonito, barracuda and goliath grouper — all good for the trophy photo scrapbook.
Capt. David White is celebrating the end of a successful American red snapper season. In fact, he’s claiming his clients caught American reds on just about every trip he made offshore. As these are one of the most aggressive of the snappers, his achievement is remarkable. Good going cap’n.
Now that the season is closed on the American reds, White is taking anglers to a variety of other bottom-dwelling fish, including red grouper, mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper.
And White says he’s seeing a fair amount of mahi offshore, where most of these beautifully colored fish are in the 10-pound range.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.