You can do it.
Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains consistent for anglers who spend their time in the shallow waters of Tampa Bay.
As more bait is present in the bay, we should see most species feeding heavily as they prepare for fall.
Water temperatures are in the low to mid 80s, keeping fish quite active.
Targeting catch-and-release species such as snook, redfish and trout is proving to be quite good. Mangrove shorelines where good tidal flow exists are holding respectable numbers of snook and reds.
Working away from the mangroves, deeper grass flats are holding many spotted seatrout, presenting a great opportunity to throw some top-water plugs.
Seeing a big trout explode on a top-water lure is an exhilarating experience while fishing the deep flats, where you’ll also see bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle attracted by the top-water lures, adding to the variety and excitement of the bite.
If you’re in search of dinner, try fishing over structure in Tampa Bay. Mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel are inhabiting these areas, making them easily targetable during the right tides.
Free-lining live shiners is most effective. In many instances, the activity created by the mackerel feeding on the surface will attract the snapper from their hiding places in the wrecks to the surface to feed.
While fishing wrecks and reefs in Tampa Bay, there’s always a chance of hooking into an occasional gag grouper —another rewarding occurrence.
Jim Malfese says fishing is good for a variety of species at the Rod & Reel Pier, where large schools of bait are attracting fish — macks and jack crevalle being the most prevalent bite. The fish are actively feeding on the plethora of bait during swift moving tides.
Pier anglers casting silver spoons, Gotcha plugs or small jigs are finding consistent action and many of the mackerel catches are above keeper-size, providing the fishers with the option to take home dinner.
Other species attracted to the bait schools around the pier are catch-and-release snook and redfish. Using live shiners, pinfish or live shrimp as bait is attracting these species to bite the hook. Black drum are present but are only being caught by anglers baiting their hooks with live shrimp.
Lastly, mangrove snapper is a good consistent bite. Keeper-size snapper are being caught, as well as many under-size ones.
Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters says catch-and-release snook are producing excellent action for his clients. Fishing shallow flats in Tampa Bay is resulting in catches of up to 40 snook during a morning charter.
Free-lining live shiners up against mangrove shorelines is where it’s at for fall. Schooling catch-and-release redfish are being found in these areas and, on deeper grass flats, catch-and-release spotted seatrout are rounding out the flats bite for Mattay.
Fishing over structure in Tampa Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico is proving to be good for both mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel. Those species are reacting well to live shiners as bait. For the macks, a free-lined shiner on a long shank hook is working. For the snapper, a weighted rig with a circle hook fished near the bottom is the best bet for success.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
Red tide detected again
A patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists along Florida’s Gulf coast and again concentrations were detected in Manatee County the week ending Sept. 26.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, as well as background to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County, background concentrations in and offshore of Charlotte County and background to low concentrations in and offshore of Lee County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported on the Florida Gulf Coast in or offshore of Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Lee counties. The FWC’s “fish kill database” indicated dead fish — the species was not identified — found in Holmes Beach Sept. 21 and Sept. 23.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide also was reported in Pinellas, Manatee and Lee counties.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.
— Lisa Neff